For two weeks this summer, Little Creek Nature Area became a classroom without walls as students explored science, technology, engineering and mathematics through the St. Louis American Foundation’s Newspapers in Education Summer STEM Camp.
Campers designed bridges, solved mock crimes, studied wildlife conservation, explored space science, learned about renewable energy and discovered how technology is shaping agriculture. They also took part in outdoor lessons, including fishing, environmental science investigations and nature exploration.
“I like the field trips. I like fishing because it was a new experience, and I caught my first fish,” said Joseph Beard, a seventh-grader at Hazelwood West Middle School.
The camp ended with a STEM Showcase, where students presented projects and reflected on what they learned. Jesse Vincent of Spire Energy said the campers’ curiosity stood out during his lesson on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
GPS uses satellites to pinpoint a location on Earth. GIS uses that location to create maps that show information such as roads, neighborhoods and buildings.
“What I enjoyed most about the experience is how engaged the students were with questions and answering my questions,” said Jesse Vincent of Spire Energy, who introduced campers to GIS and GPS. “Most of the kids also didn’t know what GIS was, so it was fun to teach them something completely new.”
The NIE Summer STEM Camp is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and expose students to careers they may not have considered. For many campers, the experience offered more than lessons. It gave them new skills, new friendships and a stronger sense of what their futures in STEM could become.