Velocity Center Summer Classes Inspire STEM Exploration Among High School Students

While many students are taking a summer break, high school students from around Southern Maryland are exploring career options in cybersecurity and engineering.

In July, the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Velocity Center partnered with Energetics Technology Center (ETC) to provide local students with free opportunities to explore STEM careers through two immersive summer classes, RoboMasterminds and CyberLEARN.

Caleb Gilroy is a rising senior at La Plata High School and attended RoboMasterminds, a two-week class in which students design and build robots.

“We’re learning a lot of skills that are useful in engineering, like how to solder and how to use computer-aided design (CAD) software,” Gilroy said. “I think this class is going to help tie textbook learning together with real-world applications, and help me make connections with people in engineering programs and professional industries.”

RoboMasterminds is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Gilroy was among a group of 10 students building an underwater rover. Students begin with a basic PVC frame and then design and 3D print custom attachments to navigate the robot to operate underwater, pick-up items, and move them to specific locations.

Gilroy plans to attend CSM for an engineering degree before transferring to the University of Maryland. Working alongside other students to design the rover, he said the experience reinforced his interest in pursuing engineering after high school.

 “I’m learning a lot, especially with fluid dynamics and water resistance,” Gilroy said. “I think this is a good program, it gets you exposed to different things and can help you figure out if you like what you’re doing.”

Moving from underwater challenges to those on land, RoboMasterminds gave students the opportunity to build and program VEX robots to complete a series of challenges on a set course. Eleven students used coding skills to program the robots to recognize different colored blocks and move them to different locations.

Velocity Center Executive Director Lesley Quattlebaum said the classes, now in their second year, turns engaging, hands-on learning into career readiness while helping students envision their future after high school.

"When students have the opportunity to explore, create, and solve real-world challenges, it opens the door to discover new interests and build confidence,” Quattlebaum said. “Classes like these are meaningful opportunities for students to see how the skills they're building today can help shape the careers they'll pursue tomorrow."

In addition to preparing the next generation of engineers, ETC and the Velocity Center hosted CyberLEARN, a week-long class for students to learn more about cybersecurity.

Open to students entering grades 9-12, CyberLEARN hosts a variety of activities for students to learn cybersecurity skills, like penetration testing and computer software interaction. The course includes presentations on key terms and industry basics, and dedicated lab time for putting that learning into action. Students finish the class with a game of capture the flag, completing different tasks to earn points in a set time.

ETC received more than 160 applications from students interested in participating in CyberLEARN. Will Durant, the nonprofit's CEO, said the strong partnership between ETC and the Velocity Center opens doors for students to have meaningful experiences that can shape their future.

“The enthusiasm we’ve seen from participants, and the interest from applicants, shows that the next generation of professionals are looking for opportunities to develop STEM skills,” Durant said. “Our goal is to help ensure they have access to those opportunities here in Southern Maryland while building a pipeline of talented future professionals.”

The Velocity Center offers continuing education and workforce development classes throughout the year. Information about upcoming classes is available on the Velocity Center website.