GMC News

Bronte Joseph, a sophomore at Ga Military Preperatory School in Milledgeville, has been selected to participate in the STEM Honors Camp at Columbus State University this summer.The camp – part of Columbus State’s emphasis on producing more teachers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM for short – offers a select 23 participants an opportunity to live on the Columbus State campus June 2-14 and learn more about how to solve new math problems, conduct scientific experiments, develop and hone lab skills, and enjoy hands-on learning experiences while exploring career options in STEM fields.Participants will also spend time during the camp at two of Columbus State’s off-campus outreach facilities: the Coca-Cola Space Science Center in Uptown Columbus and Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center in south Columbus.More than 600 high schools in Georgia and Alabama were invited to nominate up to two rising juniors and seniors to participate in the STEM Honors Camp. Organizers then selected the participants from the nomination pool. The two-week camp is one of several efforts by Columbus State designed to address the shortage, both in Georgia and nationally, of qualified teachers in STEM fields. Thanks to funding from its supporters, camp participation is free. The camp has been made possible with support from Pratt & Whitney, Society of American Military Engineers, Texas Instruments, Cott Beverages Inc., and Chick-fil-A Macon Road (Columbus).The camp is a key component in the Columbus Region Academy of Future Teachers of STEM, funded by a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation. CRAFT-STEM complements the UTeach Columbus program, started through a 2011 federal grant of $1.4 million as part of the U.S. Department of Education Race to the Top program.For more information on the STEM Honors Camp and other components of CSU’s new emphasis, visit www.ColumbusState.edu/UTeach.