Decatur County Schools recently wrapped up an expanded Summer STEM Camp that welcomed rising 1st through 8th graders for an unforgettable week of hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities. Traditionally, Mr Kyle Kelly has offered Summer STEM Camp to students in grades 1-4, but this year’s camp doubled in size with 72 students and 5 teachers participating from grades 1-8, broadening its impact across the district.
Themed “Catching Waves,” campers explored waves in water, sound, solar energy, and more through creative projects. Younger students designed marble roller coasters, learning engineering principles and problem-solving skills, while older campers engineered LEGO robots and coded them to complete complex tasks while learning about challenges engineers face in marine and transportation industries..
Samantha Palmer, Media Specialist and Technology Coach at Hutto Elementary, shared, “Working with these students has been a highlight of my summer. They are truly curious and excited about learning.”
Campers also dissected owl pellets to study food chains, built solar ovens to roast marshmallows, and created lung models to understand the respiratory system. Using VR headsets, students dove into immersive science topics and explored a variety of STEM careers, making learning both engaging and forward-looking. They also played educational games on the Active Floor, which focused on key science highlights like solar energy, habitats, and the Core Values of FIRST Robotics, blending movement with discovery.
Liz Hill, another educator, reflected on the campers’ perseverance: “One of the best things about watching students work through difficult challenges like the missions on these LEGO tables is seeing them persist through wanting to give out or ‘crash out’ to finally succeeding! You can see the feeling of accomplishment and joy in those moments. It’s worth the struggle along the way.”
A highlight for many was the chance to explore the Tesla Cyber Truck up close. Students discovered how the truck’s advanced sensors work in action and marveled at its innovative features—including wired steering, built-in music-making, and the entertainment system inside this engineering marvel. This hands-on experience brought real-world technology into the camp, inspiring students to think big about engineering possibilities.
Special thanks go to Mr. Austin Stinson from Howard Technology, who brought the Cyber Truck and treated campers to delicious Crumble cookies, making the experience even sweeter.
The camp’s foundation rests on the Core Values of FIRST Robotics, a global movement founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen and a team dedicated to inspiring young people in science and technology. These Core Values—teamwork, innovation, inclusion, respect, fun, and making an impact—reflect more than just technical skills. They embody a mindset called Gracious Professionalism, encouraging students to compete hard while treating others with respect and kindness, valuing everyone’s contributions. Another key principle, Coopertition, blends cooperation and competition, teaching students to help and learn from their rivals even as they strive to win. This culture fosters not only innovation and problem-solving but also builds character, resilience, and a supportive community where all students can thrive and grow as leaders and changemakers.
Amy Zock, Director of Instructional Technology and STEM, added, “Sometimes it is hard to convince students to come to school during the school year, but for STEM camp they arrive early and want to stay late. The way they work together is inspiring. This is one of my favorite weeks all year. All the students do some engineering, some programming, some critical thinking, some collaborating...and everybody has FUN!”
Decatur County Schools is proud to be the first WOZ ED STEM Pathway District in Georgia, providing innovative STEM opportunities across all schools. With STEM careers projected to grow nearly 9% by 2031 and students engaged in STEM more likely to graduate and succeed in college, programs like this camp play a vital role in preparing the next generation.
As the school year begins, excitement builds for upcoming events including hosting the Regional FIRST LEGO LEAGUE robotics competition at Bainbridge Middle School on December 13th and the opening of a newly renovated SMART manufacturing and engineering lab at Bainbridge High School this Fall. Decatur County invites families and community members to stay tuned for more STEM initiatives designed to inspire and empower students.