Future scientists, mathematicians hone their skills at summer camp | Schools

Beginning this week, hundreds of students from all over Shelby County Schools will be immersed in a wide array of STEMulating learning experiences that teach them how to respond to and recover from storm-related emergency situations.

The sixth annual Shelby Scholars Summer Institute (SSSI) kicked off today at the Fogelman Business College on the University of Memphis campus. This one-of-a-kind camp runs every day for the next two weeks and ends with an exhibition in the U of M’s Fed Ex Institute of Technology on Friday, June 29, at 12:30 p.m.

The theme of this year’s institute is “After the Storm: Recovering and Establishing Order after a Weather-Related Natural Disaster.”

SSSI is a huge hit every summer for students with interests in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) because it introduces and reinforces skills and concepts in these areas with innovative real world applications. The work is unlike anything students are exposed to in the regular school year and is designed to excite students to pursue advanced-level math and science courses as they progress through high school.

This year, coordinators have the assistance of some great partners, such as the University of Memphis, the U.S. Navy, Memphis City Schools and Lego Robotics. This year’s projects will involve:

Designing and programming robotics

Medical response, search/rescue and applying first aid

Bridge restoration and alternative transportation vehicles

SSSI is free to students and is taught by teachers deemed through an intensive interview process to be “Math/Science fellows.”

Information provided by Shelby County Schools.