WHOLE-BRAIN ACTIVITIES

STEM to STEAM Camp engages campers in hands-on learning

Sixty-two campers in kindergarten through 10th grade are taking part in the East Carolina University School of Art and Design’s STEM to STEAM Summer Camp held July 27-31.

Throughout the week, campers will engage in several art forms including metal design, ceramics, 3-D printing, origami, paper-mache, sculpture and photography as they learn about important concepts from science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines with the addition of art (STEAM).

Enrollment has tripled in only the camp’s second year, said Dr. Robert Quinn, camp director and associate professor of art education at ECU.

“Art provides the way for whole-brain learning and makes STEM concepts visible,” Quinn said. “We believe that art and design teaches us how to think creatively, work collaboratively as a team and solve problems through critical thinking. Those habits of mind are some of the things that all students can benefit from through an interdisciplinary approach to learning.”

ECU students majoring in art education, computer science and elementary education are serving as counselors along with Ira Varney and Daniel Niece, art teachers in the Pitt County Schools.

“Our pre-service education majors benefit from the hands-on experience working with children in advance of their careers as educators,” Quinn said.

The camp, held in the Jenkins Fine Arts Center, was funded in part by the North Carolina Space Grant Consortium.