Video feature: STEM camp promotes love of science, technology

By Emily Aronson, Office of Communications on Sept. 18, 2014, noon
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Princeton University's Community House STEM Summer Camp aims to inspire students from public and charter schools in Princeton to enjoy science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through interactive lessons and field trips. Above, Pace Center Assistant Director Charlotte Collins, who leads Community House, discusses the camp's goals of introducing students to real-life applications and careers involving these subjects.

Video stills from Amaris Hardy, Office of Communications

Thirty middle school students went back to school this fall enthused about science and technology after spending the summer at Princeton University's Community House STEM Summer Camp.

The program, which ran from June 30 through Aug. 1 this year, tries to inspire students from public and charter schools in Princeton to enjoy science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through interactive lessons and field trips.

In this video, camp leaders, supporters and students talk about their experiences studying materials science, biology, technology and chemistry through hands-on activities such as building solar power suitcases, racing homemade cardboard canoes and visiting the University's organic garden at Forbes College.

Community House, part of the Pace Center for Civic Engagement, has organized the program for 10 years as part of its longstanding commitment to closing the achievement gap among minority and low-income children in the Princeton area. Participating students attend the camp for free.

"Overall our goal is, whether we have students who come for one week or five weeks, we really want them to start to explore not only real-life applications of sciences and technology, but we also want them to understand the ways they can have a career in this field," said Pace Center Assistant Director Charlotte Collins, who leads Community House.

Each week of this year's camp was organized and led by Princeton undergraduate and graduate students with support from University staff, as well as a team of New Jersey high school students from Hillsborough, Trenton and West Windsor. STEM Summer Camp is supported by University alumni and the Pace Center.

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Princeton University's Community House STEM Summer Camp exposes Princeton middle school students to fun, interactive experiences involving science, technology, engineering and math. (Video by Amaris Hardy, Office of Communications)

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