STEM camp ‘instills empowerment’: nonprofit, Illinois State host local youths at weeklong STEM camp

A collaboration between two local entities whose shared mission focuses on creating opportunities for young people has produced a program that’s loaded with fun learning experiences. Western Avenue Community Center in Bloomington and Illinois State University have partnered on a program called EARLI–STEMbirds that gives Bloomington-Normal youths the chance to pretend to be college students.

In its second year, the program was the idea of Terri Cannon, formerly interim executive director at Western Avenue. Cannon’s goal was to give kids in middle school through high school the college experience by having them live on campus as a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) student for one week.

The camp ran from July 17-21, and included a busy slate of activities. It was full immersion, including living in a residence hall—Haynie Hall from Monday through Friday—and eating in the dining hall. Each day started with a STEM class from 9 a.m.-noon. 

Dr. Will Lewis, assistant professor of information systems in the School of Information Technology at Illinois State, co-founded the program with Cannon. For him, it was personal, having grown up in a big family without many resources. He’d always been interested in reaching back to help students who faced similar challenges learn about opportunities in higher education.

“We were poor, and there’s no sugar coating that,” Lewis said. “I was the first of my immediate family to go to college. I was fortunate enough to do well in school and had some academic scholarships. There has been a history of underrepresentation by women and minorities in STEM careers and education, so one of the things we are doing is giving these young kids some hands-on activities in the STEM field.”

“One of the things we are doing is giving these young kids some hands-on activities in the STEM field.”

—Dr. Will Lewis

Lewis was introduced to Cannon by another faculty member after he arrived at Illinois State in 2018.

“She had just started and wanted to find ways to get kids involved at ISU,” Lewis said. “I think we both shared this vision for finding ways that would get kids interested in pursuing a college education.”

Cannon designed the program with three components: book study, building character, and leadership development. She stressed the acronym RAILS, which stands for: Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Learning, and Sharing. Participants were required to read the book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. An accountability exercise in the form of a workbook followed, and that was the only way Cannon allowed for participation in field trips. 

The summer started with 30 kids, but Cannon lost a few for the simple reason that she has a zero-tolerance policy in a few areas she believes are important. 

“There’s no cursing, no bullying, and no gossiping,” she said. “If they are going to be young leaders, I expect them to rise above such silliness. I won’t deal with any toxicity.”

Cannon and Lewis teamed up with the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (CeMaST). That’s where Ashley Waring ’16, M.S. ’18, came in. She was the camp’s co-director and the keeper of the week’s tight schedule. 

“This is new to me, and I love it,” Waring said. “I’ve been a teaching assistant for the last 10 years and fell in love with education, so this expands on a variety of my experiences. It’s very cool to see how engaged and interested these kids are in STEM, and it’s super cool to give them the opportunity to experience college. They’re getting a crash course in college in one week.” 

One activity called Hangout with ISU Athletes was held at Horton Field House. It was buzzing with energy as kids played soccer in one corner of the gym, learned how to throw a football in another, and played basketball at one end of the big court. Their instructors were 15 Illinois State student-athletes. 

Scotty Presson is a junior tight end on the football team. He was helping with the football station where kids took turns trying to throw the ball through an opening the size of a window. 

“It’s amazing for the kids, and we can show them that we are more than just athletes,” Presson said. “I can relate because I can remember meeting new kids, especially big kids who were like me.”

Dani Grgas is a senior goalkeeper on the women’s soccer team. Her job was to help organize the day for Western Avenue as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. 

“I absolutely love it and love that so many student-athletes are involved,” she said. “It’s super fun, and we have athletes from several sports participating. We have football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track and field athletes here.”

Grgas said it was rewarding to be part of a program that helps kids envision what it’s like to go to college. And there was another benefit for the student-athletes, she said. 

“It’s great for us coming from different sports at ISU to get to know each other,” Grgas said. “It’s a great way to increase camaraderie.”

Addison Hallmark, 14, goes to Bloomington High School. She had fun meeting new people.

“It’s a good learning opportunity, and it’s fun to hang out with friends at night,” she said. “The dorms are really cool.”

“We’re hoping this program will open the door for some of these kids to college matriculation. This is removing the veil a bit on what it means to go to college.”

—Dr. Will Lewis

Trenton Smith, 13, goes to Bloomington Junior High School. He also enjoyed making new friends and taking part in the week’s many activities. 

“I like that there’s a lot of new people and different things to do,” he said. “But the dorm food—that’s the best!”

The many activities for the week included an IT Day with guest speakers, lessons in structural and electrical engineering, a visit to the planetarium, and classes on building and testing straw and bottle rockets. There was also a scavenger hunt, game night, movie night, and a chance to learn salsa dancing. The week ended with a graduation ceremony. Lewis said programs like EARLI–STEMbirds are important for several reasons. 

“ISU is a public institution, and as a public institution, there is a responsibility to try to include the entire community in activities at the University,” he said. “In other words, to try and reach out to everyone without regard to background or experience with higher education. And to try to give everyone an opportunity to participate and improve their lives.

“We’re hoping this program will open the door for some of these kids to college matriculation. This is removing the veil a bit on what it means to go to college.” 

From the sidelines at Horton, Cannon watched all the fun going on around her in the old gymnasium. She looked pleased. 

“There are a lot of pressures out there for young people,” she said. “But once they tap into their inner self, it makes them feel more confident. It instills empowerment.”