Eastern Oklahoma State College recently had its GEAR UP STEM Camp for area students.
WILBURTON — Thirty-one Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP students from area partner schools attended EOSC GEAR UP’s first STEM Camp.
STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
EOSC Dean of Science and Mathematics and Biology Department Chair Dr. Andrea Green, EOSC Chemistry Department Chair Dr. Krishna Bastola, EOSC Biology Instructor Dr. Julie Collins, EOSC Astronomy, Physics and Physical Science Department Chair Dr. Michael Nealon, Texas Instruments instructor and McAlester High School STEM teacher Bret Lalli, and Texas Instruments instructor and Wilburton High School math teacher Lisa Goddard presented hands-on learning sessions to participants.
Session topics included coding, robotics, human genetics, human anatomy, electrolytic and non-electrolytic solutions, Planck’s constant, chemical reactions, and microscopic structures and chemical coloration.
Spiro High School math teacher Keith Craig presented students with an astronomy lesson on the first night. Students received a planisphere to find and identify stars and constellations. Students also viewed the moon through a professional telescope.
A family night and STEM showcase took place on the final night of camp. More than 100 people were in attendance for dinner catered by Great Western Dining. During the showcase, students presented what they learned during their camp sessions. Each student also received a Texas Instruments Handheld, Rover and Innovator Hub to continue hands-on STEM learning at home.
The STEM camp was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP and offered at no cost to participants. Eastern received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant in 2017, and will serve more than 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.