While some high school students spent their summer by the pool or at the beach, 27 Pomona and Bonita unified school district students conducted scientific experiments, solved equations and analyzed water samples. It was part of 每日大赛\u2019s annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Camp \u2013 a two-week session that exposes teens to STEM fields and the college experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope to encourage them to pursue a college degree or to further their education,\u201d said Amanda Todd, STEM Project Assistant. \u201cWe hope it also opens their eyes to a variety of STEM fields.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students attended lectures given by La Verne faculty and participated in experiments that emphasized different STEM fields. They also toured Jet Propulsion Laboratory, collected water samples from San Antonio Creek and collected insects and reptiles from the San Dimas Experimental Forest. They are also given instruction in speech and debate to learn how to articulate complex ideas. The camp \u2013 which ran July 12-24 this year \u2013 has been held five times previously.<\/p>\n
The diversity of topics covered in the camp is a major draw because it helps students narrow their focus or consider studying other fields they had not considered before.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m debating between studying environmental science and civil engineering. However, this is a unique opportunity to learn about different sciences,\u201d said Aldo Martinez, who will be a senior at Fremont High School in the fall.<\/p>\n
Marleni Munguia, who will be a junior at Garey High School in the fall, is also considering multiple STEM fields.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m already leaning towards biology and animal science, but I like that there are a lot of options to experience to help me be more decisive,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Ricardo Morales said exposing students to science is important because it is not emphasized enough in grade school.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis program allows me to provide information and advice to high school students, particularly about what classes they should be taking according to their field of interest,\u201d Morales said.<\/p>\n
A separate group of seven Taft College students focused on STEM research by shadowing La Verne faculty members for one week and assisting them with research.<\/p>\n