PCEC News
STEPS Camp Takes Flight with Record Participation in Its 23rd Year
June 26, 2024
The Science Technology & Engineering Preview Summer (STEPS) Camp recently completed its 23rd year of operation at GVSU with a record number of applicants and attendees. 88 campers congregated in the Shape Corp. Innovation and Design Center on the Pew Campus between June 10-13 and June 17-20. Over 180 local students applied for the 80 seats at camp, demonstrating a return to pre-covid interest in out-of-school-time informal STEM programming. Campers from both weeks of camp hailed from 47 different schools, representing 18 unique school districts in west Michigan.
STEPS was blessed with 75 volunteers to support camp activities including airplane construction, Flight Simulator training, tours, demonstrations, Fly Night operations, and more. The STEPS staff would like to recognize the volunteer support provided by Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (AIAM), Amway Corporate Hangar, Code on Wheels, Eaton Corporation, GE Aerospace, GVSU School of Computing, GVSU Regional Math and Science Center, Parker-Hannifin, Pratt & Whitney, Robert Bosch Fuel Systems and the Bosch Community Foundation, Walters RC Park, Warped Wings RC Club, and West Michigan Aviation Academy.
Funding for STEPS Camp 2024 was graciously provided by the Michigan Afterschool Partnership (MASP) Out of School Time (OST) fund, West Michigan Aviation Academy, Bosch Community Fund, Eaton Corporation, and multiple private gifts.
The Experimental Aircraft Association local chapter 145, coordinated by Dick Foster, also hosted the Young Eagle Rally on Saturday, June 22nd at the Riverview Airport in Georgetown Township. 44 Young Eagles were put in 18 flights and 6 pilots, and 7 ground volunteers supported the effort.
STEPS continues to be a high-impact experience for students discerning their interests and passions as they approach high school, as realized from parent perspectives.
Hello!
My children, M. (green team) and O. (blue team) had the best time at STEPS. We did not know what to expect and my daughter was nervous because she wasn’t in a group with her friend. That was a gift! She made new friends.
Hearing them talk enthusiastically on the ride home, share all the details of each day, sleep like babies at night, and be excited about physics has been a joy. M. told my husband yesterday that she’d never thought about pursuing science in her future, but now she would like to, because of her camp experience.
Thank you for this well-run and impeccably planned (and funded) program. It’s been life changing.
B. (parent of campers)
For information on how you can be involved in STEPS, please contact Sara Maas at [email protected].