Summer Breezes and Summer Camps

It’s the first Monday of summer break for many of metro Atlanta’s schools.  However, for about 28 middle school boys, it’s the first day of the Spelman College CARE Summer Computer Camp.  Held May 24-28 for boys, and June 7-11 for girls, the camp offers these 12- to 14-year-olds one week of exposure to computer science and robotics.

While PlayStation, X-Box and other gaming systems offer these dexterous youth ample consumer opportunities of computer science, the camp provides valuable computer science instruction and a glimpse into a worthwhile future career.  According to Charles Hardnett, CARE Camp coordinator and Spelman College computer science professor, most young people are not exposed to computer science until they reach college and it’s not a guarantee.

“By the time young people get to middle school, they have been exposed to biology, chemistry and physics – not the case with computer science,” said professor Hardnett.  “Our hope with this camp is to get them looking at computer science because middle school is usually when a young person develops an interest in science.”

From game-making to programming robots, the goal of the National Science Foundation-sponsored camp is to address the shortage of African-Americans entering mathematics and science-related careers and pique the interest of future Bill Gates.

“Career opportunities are growing in computer science; however, since the dot.com bust, enrollment in the college degree programs has decreased,” said Hardnett, who is author of the book “Virtual World Design and Creation for Teens” and heads up the Science Mathematics and Research Training Academy.” “We simply want to remove the barriers of complex language in computer programming to make it fun and interesting for young people.”

College Bound

While middle-school students are finishing up computer programming and robotics at Spelman, 25 female high school juniors and seniors are getting amped up for the Spelman College Early College Program, June 13-July 16.  A five-week residential college preparatory course, the program allows its students the opportunity to earn college credit for first-year English and science.

Founded in 1986 by Dr. Pauline Drake, C’58, ECP is described as a rigorous living-and-learning experience that engages college-bound students in academics, leadership and community service.

“These young women come from all around the country, and it never ceases to amaze me how they transform during the time they are here,” said Jamila Canady, director of ECP.  “For many of them, this is their first time away from home.  They come in very enthusiastic, some get homesick.  By the time they leave, they become mature, confident young women.”

Although the program does not guarantee entrance into Spelman, 10 of the 26 students from the 2009 program entered the College as freshmen.  “The goal of the program is to get students well-prepared for college, giving them a taste of the college life,” said Dr. Drake, who retired in 2006.  “The time and the experience students have while attending this program enriches them academically and culturally.” — Renita Mathis is the associate director for the Office of Communications and chief interactive editor.