Using summer camps to motivate rural students in science and engineering

Tarleton State University serves a rural region southwest of Fort Worth, TX. The youth of this community are often unaware of, or unable to travel to, events intended to engage them in science and engineering based activities. Since students in this area are typically not exposed to these types of activities, they often do not enter a technology career path. This project proposed enhancing secondary science and mathematics education as well as promoting interest in physics, mathematics, and engineering among junior high and high school students using summer camps. While summer camps in science and engineering are not novel in concept, providing this type of opportunity was new to this audience. Thus, this project filled a missing need in the community.