JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The 15th Airlift Squadron hosted to 53 elementary school children as part of Charleston County School District’s “Camp STEMspiration” Aug. 10, 2018, at Joint Base Charleston.
The North Charleston Elementary School camp is part of a CCSD initiative to engage K-12 students who have been underrepresented in STEM Summer Learning opportunities. The morning and afternoon sessions with local industry partners consisted of hands-on team activities that taught principals of engineering, robotics and computer coding.
“If we can spark their interest early, we increase the chances of keeping them engaged in STEM education and other pathways to STEM careers,” said Cheryl Walden, CCSD STEM community engagement specialist for the Liberty Hill STEM Initiative.
Campers then visited JB Charleston, where students explored a C-17 Globemaster III and took a tour of an air traffic control tower. They also heard mission briefings from members of the 15th AS, who explained the role all Airmen play in accomplishing the mission. The students also learned about the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and the role they played in World War II from a representative of The Hiram E. Mann Tuskegee Airmen Inc Chapter.
“This was the first year of Camp STEMspiration and based on feedback from students and parents, we will be offering this camp again next year,” said Jason Sakran, director of CCSD’s Office of Expanded Learning. “The main purpose behind the camp was to offer students a more hands-on experience, coupled with industry partners, so students can see how the things they learn can be applied to real world careers and opportunities.”