Participants in Randolph-Macon College’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) camp, which took place in June 2019, experienced the joy of discovery as they delved into biology, chemistry and physics projects.

The STEM camp is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (grant #DUE1540703) and is held in conjunction with the Noyce Teacher-Scholar Program. Children in grades 5-8 from Hanover County Schools, Henrico County Schools and Richmond City Schools, came to campus for a busy week of exploration. 

The Noyce Teacher-Scholar Program
The Noyce Teacher-Scholar Program recruits and trains undergraduate students interested in STEM-related fields. At Randolph-Macon College, the program includes secondary teacher preparation in one of three sciences: biology, chemistry and physics.

At present, 12 RMC students are participants in the program. The STEM camp is a special project for Noyce Scholars, all of whom are secondary education minors and have earned a scholarship to become STEM teachers. Two science teacher experts—Donna Kouri and Jordan Wootton ’15, from Henrico County Schools—assisted with the planning and execution of lessons.

Unique STEM Challenges
Each day, campers tackled age-appropriate challenges in biology, chemistry and physics created and led by the Noyce Teacher-Scholars.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for our Teacher-Scholars to gain practical pre-service experience,” says Diana Yesbeck, chair of the Education Department and director of the camp. “Our campers were excited to learn about STEM, spend time with our students, and see our beautiful campus.”

STEM challenges ranged from designing roller coasters to simulating mining for ores. Using clay, campers created alien forms whose adaptive environments were either convergent or divergent; and they designed a castle and created a catapult to test the strength of its walls. Creativity was central to every activity: One day, teams of campers followed a long trail of clues—which they found under cups or taped to walls—in order to solve a series of STEM-centric puzzles.

Scholars as Mentors
Noyce Teacher-Scholars Carl Stewart ’20 (chemistry major), Katie Tisler ’20 (biology major), Connor Peak ’21 (chemistry major), and Victoria Protasenko ’22 (biology major) gained practical experience as they led campers through a fun-filled week.

“The STEM camp helped me refine my teaching skills and gain a new understanding of how teachers prepare lessons and activities for their students,” says Peak. “I enjoyed working alongside my fellow Noyce Scholars to prepare a camp that was engaging and fun for participants.”

Protasenko says, “It was a wonderful experience for everyone. I gained practical, hands-on experience in a classroom setting teaching the subjects I enjoy most. I hope to one day use the techniques I learned in my own classroom.”

The RMC Education Department
With a strong tradition of preparing outstanding teachers, RMC’s education minor is a Virginia Department of Education approved educator preparation program and is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The teacher preparation program at RMC creates reflective, passionate educators who are highly qualified in their content areas and in 21st-century teaching skills. Inspired by dedicated faculty, RMC graduates bring to their own classrooms a commitment to children, youth, families and diversity.

Beginning with the first course in RMC’s teacher preparation program, students are in the community, working with students and teachers in local classrooms. RMC education courses fully integrate classroom and experiential learning, opportunities for collaborative research, civic and global engagement, personalized guidance, and leadership development.