In one classroom, two students were tapping their tablets to guide small balls through a maze they created. In another classroom, Micah Morris, 16, was fine-tuning a computer program he created to direct the flight pattern of his drone. Elsewhere, students were building their own computers.
This week, about 40 Gwinnett County middle students attended a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) camp at Crews Middle School where they learned coding and programming skills. The twist is they’re being taught by 13 high school students, a rarity for such camps.
“I just like helping other people out,” said Mac Jackson, a rising junior at Brookwood High School.
Jackson, who loves coding, said the coaching has him thinking about becoming a teacher.
“I love helping them develop their skills,” said Jackson, 16.
Gwinnett is trying to get students more engaged in STEM in ways ranging from more robotics programs in schools to opening its first STEM school this fall, which will also incorporate the arts in its curriculum. The students had to pay for the camp, but some expenses were funded by businesses like Chick-fil-A.
The students received adult assistance from Crews business and computer education teacher Rod Hames, who leads the camp. Hames quickly recognized he needed help and asked some students to assist in teaching the middle school students. Jackson and the high school students gave the middle-schoolers tips to improve their work.
The high school students met at Hames’ home, where they discussed what would make a good STEM camp and what should be the goals. Hames wanted the students to enhance their problem-solving skills. Managing time for such experimentation can be difficult during the school year because of the time students need to set aside to prepare for exams.
Snellville Middle School student Nyssa Georges, 12, was working with a classmate on ensuring the bot they designed wouldn’t fall, as it previously had. She added a black beam to the bottom of the device, which was the size of a remote-control car, to give it greater support.
“Programming is awesome,” said Georges, who will be in the seventh-grade this fall.
Hames is excited that the students enjoy the experience. He also hopes it will inspire students come up with ideas that can help others.
“We’re trying to create kids who can create technology, not just use it,” he said.
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