programs

Let Me STEAM was initially designed to be a five-day Summer Camp, where each day the focus is on one of the STEAM areas. But due to a lack of resources, we have partnered with other organizations within Hickory (like the T.A.G. Program (currently in partnership), Ridgeview Library, and the Hickory City Summer Camp at Brown Penn to provide STEAM activities and programs to students. 

We currently work with T.A.G. Program to provide enrichment activities using robots, drones and homework support. Once we have more financial resources to host our own week-long STEAM Summer Camp, the plan is to incorporate each word into each day, although there will be one main focus, to show the STEAMers how the STEAM spheres overlap and without one you could not have the others. The daily activities are designed to introduce our STEAMers to various science, technology, engineering, art, and math careers. Performing interactive activities from each discipline we hope that even if our STEAMers do not want to seek a career in a STEAM field that they walk away having been connected to mentors and a larger network of resources. Also, having gained knowledge in various areas, they will apply their skills to their school work and in progressing the world. Activities will include 3D printing, rocket building, robotics, chemistry, problem solving, and so much more. The goal is to have the program be as hands-on as possible so that way we can allow the campers to be fully immersed in this experience.

Let Me STEAM has plans to grow each and every year with students and activities. With the five day summer camp being a part of Phase I (hoping to launch fully Summer of 2023). The next phase, Phase IB, would offer summer long activities to our STEAMers. Phase II would incorporate weekend enrichment that could include, but not limited to college tours and STEAM career site tours. Phase III would allow our STEAMers, who have been a part of the camp's growth since the beginning (or at least 2 years of experience) to tutor and do live demos for our up and coming STEAMers from elementary. This will help spark the love of STEAM. Let Me STEAM hopes to provide STEAM education to every learning level one day.

Here at Let Me STEAM we strongly believe that diversity is the key to a sustainable economy, and exposing youth to hands-on STEAM activities, and career paths, by focusing on what the student interests are, Let Me STEAM can help jump start students careers with a strong foundation of the field. Let Me STEAM will also charge students to give back to their community, by either volunteering with the program after graduation as a mentor or by simply continuing their passion for the STEAM fields. Our hope is to give students a platform to STEAM in a positive and constructive way, and to propel them onto a meaningful path. 

According to the Study of Equity, Economic and Demographic Data for the City of Hickory that was conducted in the last year by the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, less than 40% of black students are scoring at or above grade level on their end of grade tests in elementary. Those statistics are even more tragic once students reach high school. 17.4% of Black students in the Hickory City school system are testing at or above grade level on the end of course test once they reach high school. In order to improve communities we must first teach children to value learning. We strive to be inclusive by giving minority students a voice to be able to advocate not only for themselves but their peers and community as whole. We truly believe that Let Me STEAM can be a place that students grow and discover the leadership potential that has been within them their whole lives.