Robot races among the projects demonstrated at engineering summer camp
Article by: Michael Bratten
On July 17, 50 middle- and high school-age students demonstrated their summer projects as part of the Corpus Christi Prefreshman Engineering Program (CCPREP), the local program for the statewide TexPREP initiative that keeps students engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics each summer.
Among activities are robot races, where student teams have to program their custom-made robotic vehicles to navigate a race course; strength tests for plastic straw bridges built by students to demonstrate their understanding of engineering principles; and a display of architectural model communities designed by campers under the mentorship of members of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
The takeaway from the program is that hard work pays off. All the students applied to participate in the camp. They typically have A-B averages in English, math and science.
The annual summer camp is free to all participants and made possible by funding from Flint Hills Resources, the title sponsor, with additional support from Del Mar College, the Del Mar College Foundation, Coastal Bend Community Foundation, Texas Department of Transportation, American Institute of Architects Corpus Christi Chapter, CITGO, University of Texas at San Antonio and LULAC/Talent Search program.
Del Mar College is the local site for TexPREP and offers the program to talented middle- to high school-age students who want to get a head start or continue studies in science and mathematics. The curriculum emphasizes study and research work in mathematics, computer science and engineering with an overall objective of increasing the number of students who will pursue STEM studies when they attend college.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.