SSC Hosts Two STEM Summer Camps

Seminole State College hosted two Summer Academies for Mathematics, Science and Multidisciplinary Studies funded by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education from July 17 to July 22.

In the Engineering and Construction Management camp, 16 students built a “tiny house.”

Tiny Houses are part of an architectural and social movement that advocates for downsizing living spaces. Commonly, the dwelling units have a maximum of 400 square feet of floor area, excluding lofts. The smaller living spaces are often more eco-friendly than traditional homes.

The “tiny house” project was completed through a partnership with Gordon Cooper Technology Center and several private businesses. Gordon Cooper staff oversaw the construction of the tiny house, guiding students through the build. GCTC provided tools and equipment for use during the project. This project will be utilized on the campus of Sasakwa Public Schools.

The Peek into Engineering camp had 30 students building Underwater Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV).

ROVs are utilized in many capacities where environmental conditions are potentially hazardous for humans. Commonly used in oceanography for scientific exploration, scientific research and industrial applications, such as checking pipelines underwater.

Both camps had guest speakers, including Physicist Dr. Karen Williams, East Central University; Electrical Engineer Bill Browning, OG&E; Director of Advisement and Recruitment Britney Honsinger, SSC; and Health Sciences Division Chair Dr. Noble Jobe, SSC. Both camps took a tour of the OSU campus focused on the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology and the Ferguson College of Agriculture.

The camps were conducted under the supervision of SSC Professor of Mathematics/Science/Engineering Jarrod Tollett, Assistant Professor of Agriculture Wendy Slusher-Rich and STEM Assistant Professor Dr. Deanna Miles.

Student applicants were selected from across the state of Oklahoma ranging from 9th to 12th grade for the Peek into Engineering camp and 11th and 12th grade for the Engineering and Construction Management camp.