Summer STEM Camp to Focus on Computer Technology, MIS

Published Jun 13, 2018 by
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Participants in last year’s CET STEM camp learned networking on a Raspberry Pi.

Thanks to a $35,000 grant from Duke Energy, ECU’s Colleges of Engineering and Technology (CET) and Business (COB) will collaborate for the first time on a technology-focused ECU STEM Camp for girls from regional middle schools.

The gift is one of 67 grants Duke Energy has awarded in 2018 to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-focused education and training initiatives across North Carolina. You can find out more about these initiatives by clicking here.

Twelve students and six teachers from six eastern North Carolina counties will learn about STEM career opportunities by exploring the fields of computer technology and management information systems (MIS). This residential camp is July 15-20 on ECU’s campus.

David Fountain, Duke Energy

“We are proud to partner with East Carolina University to expand access to STEM programming for girls and teachers in eastern North Carolina,” said David Fountain, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “Smart investments in STEM initiatives strengthen the pipeline of highly-skilled workers who will lead us to a smarter energy future in North Carolina.”

“The Camp’s goal is to expose students to technology and provide guidance on pursuing careers in the technology arena,” said Dr. April Reed, COB associate professor and camp co-organizer. “Jobs in this field are in great demand and pay very high salaries even at the entry level.”

Dr. Mark Angolia

“North Carolina with its Research Triangle is a booming area for a wide variety of technology careers,” said Dr. Mark Angolia, CET assistant professor and camp co-organizer. “These job opportunities have the potential to change the lives of the students who follow this path. Our goal is to show young people the possibilities that are out there, and build a network through the teachers to continue beyond the camp.”

Activities during this year’s ECU STEM Camp include:

  • Education and training to build, use and take home a mini-computer (Raspberry Pi);
  • Academic sessions that cover computer programming using a 3D animation language (Alice) and webpage building using Webstarts; and
  • A field trip to Cisco Systems.

Donna Phillips, Duke Energy

The camp features guest speakers from Duke Energy: Millie Chalk, government and community relations manager and Donna Phillips, senior economic development manager. Both Chalk and Phillips will talk about why they and Duke Energy support ECU’s STEM efforts.