Wayne Community College has been awarded a grant to provide a summer camp within the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education discipline.
The College received $5,000 through a Summer STEM Outreach Grant from the STEM East Network. The grant helps community colleges in the network provide summer STEM outreach camps and activities for middle and high school students.
WCC was awarded the grant for its summer engineering camp for high school juniors and seniors.
The STEM East Network connects educators and employers through public and private partnerships. They align STEM education programs in eastern North Carolina with the needs of regional employers to support career pathways and build a solid workforce.
“We are excited to be working with the STEM East Network this year with our WCC engineering camp,” said WCC Engineering, Manufacturing, and Industrial Technologies Department Chair Steven Reese.
Camp participants will be introduced to 3D solid modeling and will reverse engineer components taken from radio-controlled (RC) miniature cars, replacing some of the parts with 3D-printed materials they design. Students will also learn basic electrical concepts used in RC technology and compete in racing the cars.
“The STEM East Network grant allows us to purchase RC cars and small components for the cars that the students will assemble with tool kits also purchased with the grant,” Reese said.
About STEM East Network
STEM East develops networks through the collaborative efforts of regional businesses, school districts, economic development municipalities, private foundations, state and local government, and many others. It is their intent that students across the region will engage in real-world STEM learning opportunities that directly align with career opportunities in eastern North Carolina.
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.