Key Takeaways
- The STEM Achievers summer camp at New Mexico State University (NMSU) offers a free, two‑week hands‑on experience for Las Cruces middle‑school students.
- Participants explore emerging technologies such as virtual/augmented reality, coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, drones, 3D printing, and 3D design.
- The program emphasizes experiential learning, teamwork, problem‑solving, communication, and entrepreneurial skills through activities like a “Shark Tank” pitch exercise.
- College‑student instructors gain valuable teaching, curriculum‑development, and outreach experience while supporting the younger learners.
- Since its inception, the program has reached over 58,000 students, creating ripple effects for families, educators, and the broader community.
Program Overview and Goals
The STEM Achievers program, hosted by New Mexico State University, is designed to expose middle‑school students from the Las Cruces area to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through immersive, hands‑on learning. Katie Calabrese, senior director of the program, stresses that discovery and exposure benefit young minds at any age, and that retention improves when students actively engage with material. Consequently, the entire camp is structured around self‑directed exploration, allowing each participant to follow personal learning pathways while building foundational STEM competencies.
Schedule and Accessibility
For the summer of 2025, the camp runs from Monday, June 29 through Friday, July 10, offering ten consecutive days of instruction. Registration is open to Las Cruces middle‑school students, with a deadline of Friday, June 5. Parents can enroll their children via an online portal and will receive a secondary registration form shortly after. Notably, the program is completely free, providing lunch, snacks, and an end‑of‑ceremony event where students receive diplomas and have a chance to win prizes through a raffle—removing financial barriers that often limit access to enrichment opportunities.
Hands‑On Technology Exposure
During the two‑week session, students rotate through a variety of cutting‑edge tools and technologies. Activities include virtual and augmented reality experiences, introductory coding workshops, robotics construction and programming, artificial‑intelligence basics, drone operation and safety training, as well as 3D printing and 3D design projects. The Department of Computer Science at NMSU supplies faculty support, equipment, and curriculum guidance, ensuring that each lesson is both age‑appropriate and aligned with current industry practices.
Project‑Based Learning and Real‑World Application
Beyond isolated demonstrations, the camp integrates design projects that challenge students to apply what they have learned to solve real‑world problems. For instance, learners might design a simple robotic arm to retrieve objects, create a 3D‑printed prototype for a community need, or develop a basic augmented‑reality overlay that visualizes local environmental data. These projects encourage iterative testing, troubleshooting, and refinement—core components of engineering thinking—and culminate in presentations where students showcase their solutions to peers, instructors, and invited guests.
Development of Soft Skills and Entrepreneurial Mindset
Recognizing that technical knowledge alone is insufficient for future success, the STEM Achievers program deliberately cultivates soft skills. A highlight is the “Shark Tank”‑style activity, in which teams formulate an idea, develop a brief business plan, and pitch it to an audience of peers and mentors. Through this exercise, students practice communication, collaboration, persuasive speaking, and creative problem‑solving. Angie Hernandez, a senior digital‑film student and instructor, notes that the camp nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset by encouraging learners to think beyond the technology itself and consider how their innovations could be marketed or scaled.
Impact on College‑Student Instructors
The program also serves as a valuable experiential learning opportunity for NMSU undergraduates who serve as instructors and mentors. Arath Ramos Coronado, a program specialist, reflects that his involvement taught him curriculum development, teaching techniques, partnership building with schools and nonprofits, and project management—skills that have bolstered his professional confidence. Similarly, Hernandez describes how teaching younger students deepened her own understanding of the material and strengthened her public‑speaking abilities, underscoring the reciprocal benefits of the initiative.
Community Reach and Long‑Term Influence
Since its launch, the STEM Achievers program has reached more than 58,000 middle‑school participants. Katie Calabrese emphasizes that the impact extends beyond the students themselves, influencing siblings, parents, educators, and local organizations that observe or engage with the camp’s activities. By fostering early interest in STEM, the program helps cultivate a pipeline of future scientists, engineers, and innovators who may pursue higher education or technical careers in the region. The lasting impression on families and community members reinforces the program’s role as a catalyst for broader educational enrichment.
Conclusion and Call to Support
The STEM Achievers summer camp exemplifies how targeted, hands‑on outreach can democratize access to emerging technologies while simultaneously nurturing essential life skills. Its free, inclusive model, combined with rigorous project‑based learning and mentorship from both faculty and college students, creates a robust ecosystem for youth development. As the program continues to grow, sustained support from universities, local businesses, and philanthropic partners will be vital to expand its reach, deepen its curricular offerings, and ensure that even more young minds in Las Cruces—and beyond—can discover the excitement and possibility inherent in STEM fields.