Discovery World’s STEM Camps Inspire, Educate, and Captivate Young Scientists

Project Description

This summer, over 40 COA youth benefited from generous scholarships from Discovery World to participate in the beloved Milwaukee museum’s Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) day camps. Each of the week-long sessions led children through in-depth exploration of scientific concepts taught through fun, hands-on projects and individualized instruction. Over 1405 individual students attended at least one session of Summer Camp at Discovery World in 2017!

A creative interpretation of a beaver dam that was created as part of the Water education session.

During themed sessions covering everything from animals and biology, to LEGO Robotics, physics, music, and even forensic science, youth learned how they could apply their natural curiosity to learn more about the world around them. Discovery World’s President & CEO Joel Brennan can explain it better: “The goal of our Summer Camp program is to provide local students an unforgettable week of exploration, discovery, and fun. With over 100 different camps ranging from LEGO Robot Engineer to Jr. Fashion Designer, it’s truly a special feeling to walk through 10 different labs filled with 20 inquisitive students working together to solve problems, creating amazing projects, and immersing themselves in the careers and industries of the future. It’s our way of igniting a spark in students that will hopefully embark in a lifelong love of science, technology, engineering, and math.”

A session on physics saw children exploring the composition of light in Discovery World’s awesome light lab!

Mr. Brennan’s sentiments were reflected by one of the lucky COA youth participants that attended camp: “It’s so fun. It teaches kids what to do if they want to be a scientist – and this place is AWESOME!”

COA is very grateful to have been selected to participate this summer as part of the museum’s ongoing efforts to help inspire youth from the Milwaukee community. Kate Halfwassen, Discovery World’s Chief Financial Officer said “Discovery World is extremely proud that we introduced more local students from community partners to our summer camps than in any year prior. As a representative of Discovery World and a mother who sends her children to COA, I am a firm believer in both organizations and am excited to work together to introduce a greater population of local students to STEM education. It’s a partnership we hope to expand even further in the future.” Ms. Halfwassen’s children attend COA’s nationally-accredited Riverwest Early Education Center.

An educator works with a young lady from COA on the culmination of her work in the t-shirt design & screen printing camp.

Other partner organizations that benefited from scholarships included Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Journey House, Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, Milwaukee Public Schools, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee, and the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative.