CCAC to host free summer STEM program for middle school students

Enticing grade schools students to spend part of their summer vacation participating in an academic activity sounds like a tough sell.

But not if it provides hands-on learning opportunities.

That’s what middle school students (grades 6-8) will find as part of a free project-based STEM learning program hosted by the Community College of Allegheny County. The four-week Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program takes place June 27 through July 22 at CCAC’s North Shore campus. Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills will be honed during the program.

The program is open to all middle school students in the region and CCAC Dean of Students for Student Engagement, Vladimir St. Surin, said it’s not a tough sell.

“Of this entire curriculum, only 20 minutes of it is a lecture,” said St. Surin. “Everything else is hands-on physical activities. So, they’re not necessarily in classrooms. They’re at the park or at the Carnegie Science Center. They’re taking trips to Kennywood to talk about velocity and power, like ‘why does a roller coaster go that fast?’ ”

St. Surin said the program also addresses “critical road blocks” middle school students might see as they become interested in pursuing STEM related degrees and jobs.

“What I love about this is it not only increases opportunities for females, students of color and populations that are often underrepresented in STEM fields, but it’s connected to real world challenges,” he said.

St. Surin mentioned a student who loves skateboarding and prototyped a skateboard with a seat on it so his paralyzed friend can ride with him.

“What’s great about it is not only are they learning about these STEM related fields but they’re taking that knowledge and solving real life issues that not only they experience but their community is experiencing.”

St. Surin said the program features a final project that allows the students to show what they’re learned over the four weeks.

In addition to the in-person sessions on the CCAC campus, hybrid and virtual sessions will be available, if needed, due to covid-19. To register, visit https://bit.ly/STEMAchievers.