MCALLEN, Texas – McAllen and PSJA students and teachers returning to the Valley with skills they learned from a STEM Camp at Rice University. More than 15 students and 30 teachers from the Rio Grande Valley traveled to Houston for a summer camp that emphasized STEM academia and communication skills.
The camp is a week long event where students from underrepresented populations, in stem fields, get to experience a college ready environment while learning about engineering and other STEM related industries. More than half of the campers said they are first in their families to consider college. Many who have previously attended the camp have gone on to attend Ivy Leauge schools.
Fernando Gutierrez, McAllen ISD Instruction and Guidance Center Principal says, “By having them explore and take ownership of their own learning through project-based, it opens the door for them to actually engage, which is the very first thing we’re trying to do. Once we engage them then they’re able to discover and take interest based on the activities we have for them.”
Lessons for students are taught in English and Spanish. Campers were event treated with a trip to visit NASA.