New Camp STEMpowerment Successful for Middle School Girls and STEM Education

Camp STEMpowerment, a community collaborative initiative camp held at North Georgia Technical College for middle school girls, recently created some amazing opportunities that proved smile-worthy for some very intelligent young women. Camp STEMpowerment empowered sixth through eighth-grade girls by providing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities; tours of local manufacturing companies; lessons in the world of business and entrepreneurship; opportunities to learn essential social skills and table etiquette; and guidance from community female leaders. Twenty students participated and enjoyed experiencing hands-on activities in several programs at North Georgia Technical College including advanced manufacturing and robotics, precision machining, welding, automotive collision, automotive technology, photography and cosmetology. The campers also were treated to a special luncheon in their honor by the Habersham Professional Women and heard testimonies from guests of Women in Manufacturing who discussed the endless future career opportunities they have in STEM fields. “I learned so much and had a great time,” said camp participant and seventh-grader Katie Foster of Cornelia. “I enjoyed talking with the people that volunteered to have lunch with us. I also enjoyed learning about the different skills I could do one day. The camp overall was really fun and I’m really glad I got to participate!” “I just loved sitting with the ladies of our community at our special luncheon,” said sixth-grade student Emma Johnson of Mt. Airy. “They really showed me all the possibilities of how I can make a difference in my community.” Another highlight of the camp included a field trip to Haering Precision in Lavonia, Ga., to tour the manufacturing plant and participate in making individual mini-robots from toothbrushes and motorized batteries. The girls also enjoyed a field trip to tour the manufacturing facility of Macaron Queen in Clarkesville, Ga. Of course, leaving the bakery with samples of two delicious macarons per girl was a true highlight of the camp! Funded by Habersham Rotary, Camp STEMpowerment was organized by North Georgia Technical College, Habersham Professional Women, and Habersham Parks and Recreation. Other organizations that supported the camp included Habersham County School System, Georgia Power, Haering Precision USA, Tallulah Adventures, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham, Copey Creek, Macaroon Queen, and Piedmont University Rotaract and Women in Manufacturing.