Many students take a break from academics over the summer. Some local grade-school students, however, recently visited New Mexico State University to participate in a weeklong engineering program.
The NM PREP Academy, hosted by the NMSU College of Engineering, introduces middle and high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to the field of engineering. The summer camp offered two separate sessions tailored to each age group, allowing participants to explore campus laboratories and take part in hands-on activities.
“The goals of the NM PREP Academy are to spark interest and engage young middle and high schoolers with in-depth engineering skills and introduce them to labs and professors on campus,” said Justin Butt, STEM outreach program specialist.
“We strive to build good connections and educate future Aggies with technical and soft skills and ultimately help them build their confidence with hands-on activities that simulate real-world engineering experiences,” Butt said.
While on campus, the students visited the NMSU College of Engineering. They learned about what professional engineers are working on. The students also traveled to other parts of New Mexico to see major STEM projects and developments firsthand.
Through the program, students gained exposure to engineering labs in robotics, food science, 3D printing, and more. The initiative expands learners’ academic knowledge of engineering. It also engages and encourages them to explore the creative elements of STEM.
Students Gain Engineering and Life Skills
“They taught us a lot about engineering,” said Elisa Bai, a student at Sierra Middle School. “We went to a lot of different places and learned about different tools. I liked the robots and Taos (restaurant at NMSU), but I thought the coding was fun.”
Students at NM PREP Academy hone their engineering and science skills through hands-on learning. They also develop interpersonal skills during the summer camp. The course emphasizes collaboration, leadership, and presentation skills. Academy leaders hope students carry these skills into their future academic careers.
Throughout the week, program organizers placed students into small groups and encouraged them to collaborate and help one another. Future Rio Grande Prep student Jerret Bales said the support he felt from the people around him made the program memorable.
“My favorite part was probably the people,” Bales said. “A lot of the people were really, really uplifting and wanting to help and understanding.”
Programs like NM PREP Academy help young students in New Mexico continue their education during the summer. They also help students build connections with peers who share their same dedication to learning.
“They meet new people and face challenges outside of their normal comfort zones and overcome those obstacles together,” Butt said. “This makes for better students and better future engineers. Being an engineer is more than knowing science and math; it’s knowing how to communicate in teams and work together with people who don’t think the same way as you do. If we continue to invest in programs like PREP, we continue to invest in the future of NMSU and the future of the College of Engineering.”