STEP camp for area middle school students made hands-on, minds-on learning real
The SUNY Fredonia STEP project launched its Year 2 activities in an action-packed summer camp for local middle schoolers. The Fredonia Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) helps prepare underrepresented students to enter college and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math fields.
Middle school students attended a week-long STEP camp, focused on robotics, computer coding and NASA technology. Fredonia – partnering with Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES (E2CCB) – hosted the camp Aug. 9 to 13 at the E2CCB CAM P-TECH Academy site in Springville. The camp enrolled 22 middle school students from Gowanda, Salamanca and Silver Creek school districts, all partnering districts on the project.
Though this year’s camp is over, programming for 182 students continues during the regular school year. “We support the students, mentoring the students during the year,” explained SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Michael Jabot, who is the STEP principal investigator. Educators and guidance counselors in the students’ home districts monitor their progress and assist in coordinating the project’s STEM and college-facing activities.
“It was very well received by the students,” Dr. Jabot, of the College of Education, said of the camp. “The number one complaint was they wished they had more time.”
The College of Education has a long history of supporting the program, funded by a $1.5 million five-year award from the New York State Education Department. Administering the program with Jabot is Danielle O’Connor, a retired school superintendent, who serves as STEP project director.
“The STEP program continues to support students across the region, not just in these three school districts,” Jabot said.
