NU's Institute of Applied Learning offering pair of summer STEM camps

According to US2020, by 2018, there will be 1.2 million job openings in the U.S. in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields, with a significant shortage of qualified applicants to fill them.

President Barack Obama has gone on record numerous times to stress the importance of STEM education, saying, "Leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students today - especially in science, technology, engineering and math."

Niagara University's College of Education, for several years, has sought to provide access to quality STEM education for children - especially girls and low-income youths, who studies show enter the STEM fields at the lowest rates.

This summer, the college's Institute of Applied Learning will offer a pair of summer camps intended to introduce young people to the practical application of science, technology, engineering and math.

•The first, open to all students in grades 3-8, is scheduled for Aug. 4-7.

•The second, slated for Aug. 11-14, is available to girls in grades 7-9.

Both camps run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

A $100 registration fee covers camp materials, lunch and snacks. Transportation to NU is not provided.

Natural resources around Niagara University will be utilized as field components for students to experience inquiry-based learning and real-life applications applicable to career clusters in the energy fields.

Four topics on energy will be aligned to the New York State Learning, Common Core, and Career and College Readiness standards.

Niagara University is currently administering the second year of a three-year grant sponsored by National Grid to enhance STEM and advance manufacturing education. The $20,000 in funding allows NU's College of Education to train the 15 Niagara Falls City School District teachers who will plan and instruct the summer camps.

For more information, call 716-286-8309 or email [email protected].