Using helium-filled balloons and paper clips, Aerostar International’s hands-on activity helps aerospace engineering curiosity take flight for area middle school students.
“Our company believes in giving back to the community and helping people out, making a difference,” manufacturing engineering technician Dane Jorgensen said. “We are always on the lookout for opportunities like this to encourage kids to look into engineering.”
That’s the goal of Your Future STEM summer camp, which this year drew more than 200 middle school students to Augustana University for two days of learning how science, technology, engineering and math connect to their potential careers.
“You want to see kids on the edge of their seats, listening intently,” said Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce development for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. “That’s how you know that they’re really engaged and they’re paying attention.”
Here’s a closer look at the day camps, which are designed by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and funded through Forward Sioux Falls.