KHS student attended SciTech Summer Camp at UT Arlington

OSCAR DIVILA Thirty incoming high school sophomores from around north Texas, including Oscar Davila of Kilgore High School, dived into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) during SciTech Summer Camp at The University of Texas at Arlington this summer.

Co-sponsored by ExxonMobil, the summer camp was presented by Advancing Hispanic Excellence in Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (AHETEMS), which is the educational foundation for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). For only $10, the students participated in interactive projects and experiments, experienced college life by staying in dorms, learned about the latest in automobile technology and met Jose Hernandez, a NASA astronaut. Students also learned practical tools to help them in applying for college and paying for their higher education.

SciTech camps, also held during the summer at The University of Colorado at Boulder, The University of Arizona in Tucson and California State University in Los Angeles, have a parental component. Parents are invited to attend Saturday sessions that cover financial aid and other tips to help their children with higher education plans.

"The sophomore year is a crucial one for students to actively pursue their college dreams, and this camp is a motivating and informative tool to help them reach their goals," said Rafaela Schwan, AHETEMS Director of Programs. "We are thankful for the support from ExxonMobil to help empower and motivate Hispanic students to achieve excellence in STEM subjects and later in college."

Specific SciTech activities include:

- Engineering Challenge: Bridge Building - Using Popsicle sticks, students built and tested bridges.

- GM Vehicle Showcase - General Motors introduced students to the latest in automobile technology with a workshop on environment and production.

- Math Challenge: Sudoku Scavenger Hunt and Wright Flight Launch - Students followed puzzle clues leading them to supplies used to construct and test a glider modeled after the historic Wright brothers¿ flight.

- Awards Reception - Students and parents attended a Saturday awards celebration. Parents were invited to attend financial aid sessions prior to the reception.

- Final Camp Celebration - Students and parents were invited to hear famed NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez speak.