Genesis: Pathways to Success Celebrates Triumphant 3rd Year of Summer of STREAM

Genesis: Pathways to Success hosted 21 summer camps and 10 activities this summer for 4th-9th grade students.

(Ripley County, Ind.) - Genesis: Pathways to Success hosted 21 summer camps and 10 activities as part of the A Summer of STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) initiative from June 3rd through August 2nd. These programs were open to 4th through 9th grade students in Southeastern Indiana and impacted over 1,200 students. 

Students attending A Summer of STREAM programming were exposed to the various fields of science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and math through experiential, hands-on learning opportunities, while building upon crucial soft skills such as, adaptability, communication, creativity, critical thinking, leadership, and problem solving. 

Programs offered through A Summer of STREAM included: 

• Kids Building Bikes Camp: Two sessions of Kids Building Bikes Camp were held in partnership with Nine13sports. Hosted at Margaret Mary Health (Batesville) and Weber Sports (Aurora), students were taught the history of bicycles, in-depth mechanics, proper biking terminology, and road safety. Through the instruction of the Nine13sports team, students were given a distinctive learning experience where they were able to construct their own bicycle from the frame up. These camps served a total of 12 students.  

• Photography in Nature Camp: Photography in Nature Camp allowed 14 students to immerse themselves in the innate beauty of Southeast Indiana. Led by professional photographers from the region, students learned the techniques utilized by photographers to capture breathtaking shots in the Versailles State Park. Furthermore, students were transported to the Southeastern Career Center where they were taught photo editing skills and its importance in the photography process. The students then chose their favorite picture to display at the Photography in Nature Camp Art Show held at the Versailles State Park Nature Center.  

• Jurassic Jones Camp: Working with Milan CARES Central at Milan Elementary School, Genesis: Pathways to Success hosted Jurassic Jones Camp, a mashup of Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. Students experienced paleontology through mock dinosaur excavations, learned the intricacies of archaeology through grid mazes, honed their engineering skills through bridge builds, and learned environmental science through mock volcano builds. This camp served 75 students involved in Milan CARES Central.  

• Game ON: Esports Camp: Held at Milan Middle School, Game ON: Esports Camp provided 20 students the opportunity to learn the value of teamwork through the video game Minecraft. Students were paired into four teams to undergo exercises in which they developed strategies as well as their collaboration skills to win tournaments and understand the importance of effective communication. Furthermore, students were infused with healthy gaming habits such as learning the value of screentime and the importance of stretching and movement to counteract a sedentary activity.  

• Explore Career Pathways Camps: In partnership with the Southeastern Career Center, students across were given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various vocational trades including agriculture, automotive, construction, cosmetology, culinary arts, health sciences, information technology, public safety, veterinary sciences, and welding. These camps broadened students’ horizons to alternative career pathways that do not require traditional schooling and taught them the crucial skills necessary for these high-demand, high-wage professions. These 8 camps served a total of 212 students. 

• Women in STEM: Technology Camp: Women in STEM: Technology Camp opened the door to middle school aged females to the STEM field. Students attending this camp were taught Cricut Design Space and TinkerCAD to create 2D and 3D designs. The students then applied these skills by creating their own t-shirt designs. This camp was held at St. Louis Catholic School and served 10 students. 

• VEXplorers Robotics Camp: VEXplorers Robotics Camp was held at South Ripley Elementary School and allowed 28 students to bolster their programming and mechanical skills by constructing and designing robots. Students were required to design their machines to complete the 2024-2025 VEX IQ Challenge, Rapid Relay. They were taught the parts of a robot, how to properly program their machines, and honed their operation skills through a series of mini-games and activities. Lastly, students made adjustments to their robots to compete in a Battle Bots mini-game at the conclusion of camp. 

• The Science Behind Cooking Camp: Hosted at South Ripley High School, 32 students were given a cultural tour of Italy through cuisine. Students made Italian appetizers, homemade ravioli, meatballs, chicken parmesan, zeppole, biscotti, and Italian hot chocolate. This camp allows students to experience new cultures, while also learning about the science that lies at the root of these dishes. 

• Jedi Knight Academy: Gathering at Oldenburg Academy, 24 students immersed themselves in a camp themed around the Star Wars franchise. Students were sorted into four alliances and competed in various activities that honed different skills. Students learned engineering and robotics through droid sphero races and pod races. In the pod race, students built their own pod able to fit each member of their team, while being light enough for efficiency. Students also practiced art by creating their own faux lightsabers and worked through a series of challenges designed to challenge their critical thinking skills. 

• Camp Hogwarts: Camp Hogwarts is a camp where traditional STREAM lessons are taught with a Harry Potter twist, and students bond over their shared love of the fictional franchise. Returning students welcomed new students to their house for a total of 59 students at this camp. To help immerse the students in the fictional universe, they attended classes where they learned concepts like exothermic reactions and chemical changes, explored constellations, and honed puzzle solving skills. Furthermore, students practiced strategic thinking and communication through Quidditch and strengthened their critical thinking through different all-house challenges, requiring team collaboration. 

• DIY Woodworking Camp: Two sessions of DIY (Do It Yourself) Woodworking Camp were held at Iron Timbers in Osgood. Students were given the option of constructing a charcuterie board or cutting board, in addition to a sign engraved with a phrase chosen by the student. They were taught how to safely operate sanders and table saws, learned the importance of accurate measurements, and the importance of wood oil and epoxy. This camp served 20 students. 

• Camp Scrubs in Stethoscopes: With the help of Margaret Mary Health, Genesis introduced Camp Scrubs and Stethoscopes. 15 students gained practical experience in a variety of healthcare fields by performing intubations on mannequins, learning CPR, practicing emergency care through patient simulations, and performing an ultrasound on a thyroid. Furthermore, students learned about emergency procedures in hospitals, patient safety, and proper sanitation. 

• Mobile Aquatic Exhibits: The WAVE Foundation at the Newport Aquarium brought the wonders of the ocean to Ripley County with eight Mobile Aquatic Exhibit sessions impacting 740 individuals. Sessions included Tide Pool Creatures, held at the Napoleon Community Building and Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center; Penguin Palooza, held at Milan Elementary School and Holdsworth Pavilion Center in Versailles; Stingray Hideaway, held at Holton Town Hall and Liberty Park in Batesville; and Science of Sharks, held at Sunman Town Park and Ripley County Fairgrounds in Osgood. Attendees learned each animal’s survival methods, the habitat in which they live, in addition to how we can contribute to animal conservation efforts.  

• Stargazing with Astronomers: In collaboration with the Tyson Activity Center, Genesis: Pathways to Success hosted the Curiosity Dome for 34 individuals. In this activity, participants were transported into outer space where they experienced what it is like to be on the moon and got to travel the solar system with fictional characters that taught them about the planets.  

Along with developing classroom skills, A Summer of STREAM strives to enhance soft skills amongst students such as adaptability, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, perseverance, and problem solving. “The value of education is crucial for students and Genesis: Pathways to Success brings fantastic learning opportunities to students in Southeastern Indiana,” Amelia Comer, Assistant Program Coordinator with Genesis: Pathways to Success said. “These students gain amazing skills all while forming lasting friendships with students they don’t typically see in their own schools. These programs are very rewarding experiences for these students and they learn so much in a short period of time.”