Students Explore Future Opportunities in Summer STEAM Classes

Students Explore Future Opportunities in Summer STEAM Classes
Shawnee Mission School District

During the month of June, older elementary students and middle school students were able to explore a variety of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) classes at the Center for Academic Achievement (CAA).

Click here to see a video about the summer STEAM classes offered earlier this summer.  

One of the goals of the summer program was to help students gain an understanding at an early age of Signature Programs and career pathways available to students in the Shawnee Mission School District, Ryan Flurry, principal of Career Education Campuses said.

“We want them to know about the high-demand and high-wage jobs that are out there and the preparation programs that Shawnee Mission offers to help get them ready for their future, Flurry said.

The CAA is a unique campus for innovative and experiential learning. The summer classes featured Animation, Biotechnology, Engineering, Game Design, and Camp CARE (Compassion, Action, Respond, Explore). The classes are modeled after Signature Programs for high school students offered at the CAA.

Each summer class featured hands-on experiments and activities. Game Design students generated their own computer games using industry-standard software and explored virtual reality. Biotechnology students conducted a variety of experiments in the lab. Engineering students worked to problem-solve a series of challenges in the classroom and collaborated with professional engineers who currently work in the industry.

Campbell McGuire took a Biotechnology Bootcamp course and said it was a lot of fun.

“The microscopes and everything here is really cool,” McGuire said. “It’s really cool they have a place like this.”

Click here to learn more about Signature Programs available to Shawnee Mission high school students.