300 COLUMBUS MIDDLE SCHOOLERS PARTICIPATING IN SEEK CAMP, MAKING SUMMER A PRIME TIME FOR STEM EDUCATION IS THE GOAL

(COLUMBUS) — With summer camp opportunities dampened by a sluggish economy, one camp is going strong with 300 middle school students from Columbus schools learning to become engineers and inventors. Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) Camp at St. Stephen’s Community House, 1500 E 17th Ave., is giving students in grades 5 through 8 a chance to design and build miniature cars, gliders and hot air balloons called skimmers. Battelle, Honda of America Manufacturing and AEP sponsor the camp through the STEMColumbus project. Twenty college students from around the country, who are members of National Society of Black Engineers, are serving as camp advisors.

SEEK is a three-week STEM camp and focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in an interactive, hands-on learning environment. STEM professionals from Battelle, AEP and Honda will judge student projects on Fridays from 8:30-2:15 (July 24, 31).

More than 100 students from the Linden area are enrolled in SEEK camp with 20 Linden-McKinley high school students known as Battelle STEM scholars helping to mentor the younger students. The new 7-12 Linden McKinley STEM High School and its feeder elementaries will focus on an integrated K-12 STEM academic program beginning this academic year. In addition to the design/build activities at the camp, students are also taking field trips to COSI, OSU and Central State University. The field trips give students the chance to learn about STEM academic majors and career options. SEEK Camp is free for students.

“SEEK is giving participants invaluable learning and real life experiences that will help them as they continue their education and move into their careers – in STEM and other areas. The summer is a vital time to engage young minds in discovery and invention,” said Battelle Vice President of Education and Philanthropy Partnerships Rich Rosen.

SEEK Camp is possible through a dynamic public and private partnership of several organizations:
• St. Stephen's Community House
• Greater Linden Development Corporation
• Columbus City Schools
• STEMColumbus – funding for SEEK Camp by AEP, Battelle and Honda of America Manufacturing
• National Society of Black Engineers
• The Ohio State University
• Society of Automotive Engineers

SEEK Camp’s mission is to foster interest in CCS middle school students’ aptitude for and interest in STEM academics and careers by having them participate in hands-on, interactive, team-based projects. This is the second year for SEEK Camp. See student projects and learn more on the Camp’s Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/mmov6x.