A hands-on summer camp that featured some of the latest technology showed campers how technology is improving lives.
"The Role of Technology in Sustainable Agriculture Systems" was the title of a STEM Camp, which focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. There were four sessions.
At the end of the camp on June 12, there was an ice cream social for the participants and family members, with some area representatives from organizations and industry who talked to the students about STEM careers. The camp was hosted by the Northeast Nebraska Agriculture and Natural Resources Education Compact, of which Northeast Community College is a partner.
This was the first camp of this kind at Northeast. There were 32 students who attended, although 41 registered.
One of the sessions, "There's more to Soil than Dirt," was presented by Sara Walsh and Mark Hammer of Wayne State College.
Participants examined the texture of various types of soils from Nebraska and learned how soil texture impacts plant growth, erosion and farming practices. Texture was measured by hand following a flow chart, and the results compared to those found on the USDA’s Web Soil Survey. Erosion was observed through a rainfall simulator.
Another session, "Drones in the Field: Fly and Learn," was presented by Courtney Nelson, Trevor Bailey and Tee Bush of Northeast Community College. Precision Ag is continuously working to make farmers' and ranchers' lives easier. Campers explored a way in which technology is used to aid in decision-making by learning about drones. It also allowed participants to fly an indoor drone.
"Robot Explorers: Learn, Build and Code” was presented by Angela Abts of UNL Dixon County Extension. Students explored the exciting world of robotics. They even designed and programed a robot using LEGO Mindstorm EV3 kits through hands-on challenges.
The final session, "What in your water?" was presented by Mark Stone, UNL; Maeghan Murie-Mazariegos, Nebraska Indian Community College; Logan Kapels and Skyler Meinecke, UNL students, and Smriti Chaulagain Postdoctoral UNL student. In this hands-on, curiosity-fueled adventure, participants explored the hidden challenges of pollution in northeast Nebraska, including surface and groundwater contaminants.
STEM Camp
The Northeast Nebraska Agriculture and Natural Resources Education Compact, of which Northeast Community College is a partner, hosted a camp recently that allowed students to learn more about careers in sustainable agriculture, using technology. (Northeast Community College)
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