All aboard! Throughout a three-day summer camp, Vanguard Academy students journeyed through fun STEM activities and lessons aimed at exposing them to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts.
Over 250 Vanguard Academy middle and high school students participated in the University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) summer camp this week. Vanguard Academy GEAR UP, in partnership with the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, offered this summer camp to expose students and have them consider careers in transportation-related fields.
“We have students participating in inquiry-based activities and learning about the science and engineering pathways,” said Dr. Barbara Gonzales, Vanguard Academy GEAR UP Director. “Our students also took part in a number of designing and programming and efficient vehicular robot competitions, challenging them to work and think outside the box.”
Throughout the three-day camp students were introduced to STEM concepts related to Transportation Engineering with emphasis on railway safety.
“Our students participated in hands-on activities using Magnetic Levitation (MagLev) and LEGO Mindstorms Robotics kits,” said Dr. Gonzales. “GEAR UP and Vanguard Academy are very committed to promoting education and fostering a love of STEM and transportation safety in our children of all ages.”
Dr. Constantine Tarawneh, UT-RGV Associate Dean/UTCRS, also agrees.
“Vanguard Academy GEAR UP, in my experience, has been the best school district to work with,” he said. “They are dedicated, organized, and committed to student success. We have been impressed with the academic caliber of their students.”