NMSU STEM Outreach Center to offer in-person, online camps this summer
Adriana M. Chávez
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LAS CRUCES - Area middle-schoolers can participate in in-person and online summer camps offered by the STEM Outreach Center at New Mexico State University.
The camps will run weekly from June 7 through July 23. All camps are half-days with morning and afternoon sessions.
“We are offering 12 different camps this summer for a wide variety of interests, including drones, engineering, hiking, nature, programming and zombies,” said Paige Wheeler, program specialist for the STEM Outreach Center.
One camp, Moving Montañas Outdoors, will meet in person at the La Cueva picnic area near Dripping Springs. Campers will go on easy hikes and explore local wildlife and plant life. Hikes and activities will be led by local experts from Friends of the Organ Mountains.
Area middle-schoolers can participate in in-person and online summer camps offered by the STEM Outreach Center at New Mexico State University. The camps
The “Spring Into STEM” online events include bi-monthly Zumba sessions, and sessions where children can engage in activities led by professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“With parks, museums and more being closed due to COVID-19, it is still important to provide STEM education and educational services to the students in our Southern New Mexico school districts,” said Laura Martinez, project lead for Spring Into STEM. “Participants have had the opportunity to meet a variety of excellent professionals, from chemists and biologists to astronomers and engineers.”
On Mother’s Day weekend, the STEM Outreach Center offered a “STEMother’s Day” event in partnership with the Sunspot Solar Observatory. The online event attracted more than 70 participants who learned about the science of sunlight and engaged in a fun activity with free materials.
The STEM Outreach Center at New Mexico State University intends to apply for a five-year grant to continue and extend support for school districts in Doña Ana County, Grant County and Hidalgo County beginning in the fall.
The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center grant would support the development of after-school programs in Las Cruces, Hatch, Gadsden, Silver City, Cobre and Lordsburg school districts. These programs provide academic support and enrichment opportunities to support literacy and science, technology, engineering and math learning designed to reinforce topics introduced during the students traditional learning day.
The grant is offered to high need schools through the New Mexico Public Education Department through the national 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. The STEM Outreach Center will partner with the school districts listed above and other organizations such as Ngage New Mexico, Cruces Creatives, STEAMing Ahead for Su