South Texas College and Harlingen CISD are two of 12 state-wide recipients to receive Camp Code grants from the Texas Workforce Commission. The grants enable middle-school students to attend various camps this summer for free to get a head start in science, technology, engineering and math careers.
STC will provide 72 scholarships with its $44,815 award. Students in the camps will create prototypes of different electronic projects utilizing actual engineering design software and industrial components. These include pneumatic valves, programmable logic controllers, solenoids and relays.
Harlingen CISD’s $69,998 will fund 100 scholarships on programming and coding. Students will use SPHERO kits, Tinker CAD, Microbit Coding Boards, and Autonomous Robotics STEM PBL Units.
“Texas continues to ensure our workforce needs of tomorrow are met by preparing the bright young minds of today with the skills needed to thrive in high-demand, STEM-focused careers,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “I thank the Texas Workforce Commission for providing opportunities for Texas students to learn coding, computer sciences, and other advanced technologies. By providing STEM lessons at Camp Code, Texas school districts and institutions of higher education are giving students a head start on creative problem-solving and analytics that will propel them on a path for success in their future careers and create a brighter future for Texas.”
“The Texas Workforce Commission continues its effort to prepare the future workforce for the continued advances in technology industries,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “TWC strives to provide opportunities to connect with our youth across the state to help generate both potential career pathways and create educational, and fun, summer camps.”
Investing In The Future
In total, Camp Code will offer 1,207 middle school students summer camp scholarships in coding and computer science. TWC awarded 12 grants totaling $736,432.
The grants were awarded to independent school districts, universities, higher education institutions, and supporting entities to help young Texans learn problem-solving and analytical skills. Lessons focus on advanced technology, with students working in teams to use programming languages to build games, web pages and robots.
“STEM careers are a vital piece of the workforce development puzzle and Camp Code creates a talent pipeline from a very early age for Texas employers looking to fill these in-demand, high-income positions,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “Texas is seen as a leader in STEM careers and TWC supports businesses by preparing the next generation.”
Camp Code grants fund summer camps offering computer science projects incorporating art and storytelling, with industry-relevant experiences with programs that include building and programming robots using the LEGO Mindstorms Environment, Python Game Design and other hands-on engineering projects.
“These camps open doors for children, especially girls, to have opportunities to learn technical skills that will show them a path towards a STEM career field,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “The scholarships make it possible for students in rural areas to learn engineering and design skills that will foster their interest in robotics and coding.”