HCC hosts STEM Summer Camps for girls

Jul 12, 2016

“My dream is to become an astronomer,” said Nicole Castaneda, one of nearly 50 middle school students attending the first-ever all-girl STEM Summer Camps at Houston Community College (HCC). “Learning more about science and technology will help me achieve my future goal.”

HCC is helping young girls like Castaneda shoot for the stars by introducing them to careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Campers are eighth and ninth graders from surrounding school districts (HISD, FBISD and SMSD), as well as homeschoolers.

“My school teaches STEM during the year and I enjoy all the things I learn in class,” said DeAnna Gilmore, student at The Rice School. “I know this camp will teach me more and when I return to school, I can share what I learned with others.”

The HCC Digital and Information Technology Center of Excellence is hosting the free camps at the Alief and West Loop campuses, which are aimed at getting more females interested in fields such as cybersecurity, robotics, and chemistry- years before they are college ready.

“This summer camp is a great way to start getting our young girls more involved in STEM related programs,” said Dr. Douglas Rowlett, director, HCC Digital and Information Technology Center of Excellence. “Making high level learning programs available is essential in helping our future leaders pursue careers that will matter most for our future economy.”

Over the next three-weeks, the girls will learn about problem-solving, creativity, relationship building, and hear from several women speakers who are successful in their STEM careers. Students will also take field trips to NASA, Weatherford International, and the Museum of Natural Science.

The camp is funded by the Governor’s Summer Merit Program through the Texas Workforce Commission. To learn more, visit hccs.edu/digital.