Rinky Parikh (left) and Audrey Bickers are the picture of concentration as they work with instructor Jeff Brown in a Lego Robotics class, part of the Summer Accelerator series at NCSSM Morganton.
Bea Yon (left) and Viv Kaufman work on a coding exercise at an NCSSM Morganton’s Summer Accelerator workshop.
LISA PRICE photos / THE PAPER
Baylee Kinman creates a colorful dragonfly during the Math and Art Fusion workshop at NCSSM Morganton’s Summer Accelerator Camp.
LISA PRICE / THE PAPER
Rinky Parikh (left) and Audrey Bickers are the picture of concentration as they work with instructor Jeff Brown in a Lego Robotics class, part of the Summer Accelerator series at NCSSM Morganton.
While some students see summer as a time to take a break from their studies, other bright, inquisitive learners view June and July as time to explore immersive, interactive experiences that bring STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) concepts to life.
The halls of Morganton’s North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), normally filled with high school juniors and seniors from August through May, have seen an influx of much younger students in recent weeks. The school’s Early Accelerator, weeklong day programs for rising fifth and sixth graders, and Summer Accelerator programs, residential or day programs for rising seventh through 12th graders, have had students engaged in hands-on learning for almost two months.
According to NCSSM-Morganton’s Director of Communications Emily Cunard, school employees have enjoyed the lively sounds of the youngsters working in teams across the local campus.
Rising fifth through 12th graders have explored topics such as coding robotics, rockets in the classroom, genetics, crime scene investigations, and even Catawba River exploration.
Cunard said she has encountered groups of excited youngsters planning and executing pathways for robotic vehicles in the hallways as she goes about her daily work on campus.
According to NCSSM, the program is geared toward participants who have a passion for STEM learning, demonstrate good behavior, and desire to learn new things. Both the Morganton and Durham NCSSM campuses offer Accelerator programs each summer. An online component is also available for learners who cannot or do not wish to attend in-person classes.
Summer Accelerator courses offer students academic growth through engaging, challenging STEM courses on topics they can relate to, according to NCSSM officials. Students learn with like-minded peers and are taught by scientists, university professors, engineers, and others who bring real-world experience and activities to the Accelerator experiential learning.
Sandra Wilkerson Queen is the arts & entertainment editor. She may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2002, orsandra@thepaper.media.
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