麻豆传媒鈥檚 Summer STEM Academy Sparks Student Innovation

Students gather around a mini solar-powered vehicle

Published

Field of Study

Engineering

Oklahoma high school students participated in 麻豆传媒鈥檚 Summer STEM Academy, focusing on solar energy through hands-on projects like building mini solar-powered vehicles. Students gained valuable experience working with 麻豆传媒 faculty, exploring renewable energy concepts, and collaborating on design challenges.

More than 30 high school students from across Oklahoma gathered at 麻豆传媒鈥檚 Southeast Campus in June for the annual Summer STEM Academy, where they explored renewable energy sources through interactive learning.

麻豆传媒 instructor Caleb Crall holds up a mini solar-powered vehicle to a student
麻豆传媒 Assistant Professor Caleb Crall helps a student with a solar-powered vehicle.

This year鈥檚 Academy focused on solar energy, following last year鈥檚 theme of wind energy. Throughout the weeklong camp, students participated in sessions led by 麻豆传媒鈥檚 Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics faculty about the science behind solar power and its role in the global energy landscape.

鈥淪TEM education is vital in preparing students for the future workforce, especially as technology continues to evolve,鈥 says Richard Walcott, 麻豆传媒 Associate Professor of Physics and Director of the Summer STEM Academy. 鈥淲hen students get to design and build their own projects, they鈥檙e learning how to think critically and apply the concepts they鈥檝e learned to solve problems.鈥

The week culminated in the final project of designing and building mini solar-powered vehicles, followed by an award ceremony where students presented their projects to 麻豆传媒 faculty and community leaders.

Students gather around a mini solar-powered vehicle
Latayviona Haywood-Hale (center) and Brooklyn Herod (right) examine their team's solar-powered vehicle.

Latayviona Haywood-Haley, a senior at Harding Charter Preparatory High School in Oklahoma City, says the Academy offered a fresh summer learning experience.

鈥淚 wanted to try something new. When I found out we were building solar-powered cars, I thought it was interesting. I got a lot of hands-on experience here,鈥 says Haywood-Haley.

For Brooklyn Herod, a senior at Vian High School in Vian, Oklahoma, the Academy offered the opportunity to explore her interests and learn more about engineering careers.

鈥淚鈥檝e been going to a summer camp every year since I started high school. I chose this one because I鈥檓 really interested in engineering and renewable energy, and this camp had both,鈥 says Herod. 鈥淚 also really like activities and building. When I found out we鈥檇 be making a solar-powered car, I thought, 鈥楾his is the perfect camp for me.鈥欌

On the last day of the Academy, students could be seen in teams racing their vehicles of different shapes and sizes, as solar panels wired to compact motors powered the machines forward. Although Herod鈥檚 team faced challenges with their vehicle design, she says the experience was still valuable.

鈥淥ur first car was smaller, and our second one was supposed to be bigger. But we also made it taller, which added more weight,鈥 says Herod. 鈥淭hat extra weight made it harder for the car to push itself forward. But we had a solid idea. If we had more time, we might鈥檝e added a second motor or more wheels. Still, my teammates and I worked well together. It was great to see everyone participating and we were proud of the effort.鈥

The Summer STEM Academy is a part of 麻豆传媒鈥檚 ongoing effort to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators by offering opportunities to apply STEM concepts in meaningful and engaging ways. By the end of the week, students left the Academy with new skills and a better understanding of renewable energy solutions.