In keeping with its mission of building a United States manufacturing workforce through education, PowerAmerica is sponsoring the establishment of North Carolina’s first STEM Scouts program at the Science House on Centennial Campus in conjunction with the Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America. This new, co-ed program will give boys and girls grades 3-12 in the Triangle a fun way of discovering science, technology, engineering and math with activities that supplement classroom learning.
STEM Scouts uses a curriculum developed by scientists and engineers and vetted by professional educators, coupled with the leadership and teamwork values of Scouting. STEM Scouts will have the opportunity to work directly with STEM experts from N.C. State and PowerAmerica through weekly meetings that cover a variety of disciplines. This exciting new program is designed to be fast paced, thought provoking, and fun.
Additionally, STEM Scouts at the high school level are provided the opportunity to have their work peer-reviewed by scientists and engineers and published, helping to increase their chances for college scholarships and program admissions.
PowerAmerica Executive Director Nick Justice signs the paperwork establishing the new Stem Scouts partnership“Partnering with this innovative new scouting program for both boys and girls is a great opportunity to introduce young people to the excitement of engineering and science, while bringing them to an awareness of what’s in store for their generation. We view participants as a critical component of preparing our nation for the energy demands of the future,” said PowerAmerica Executive Director Nick Justice.
“In true Scouting tradition, STEM Scouts not only improves STEM literacy and teaches life skills, but also develops positive qualities of character, citizenship, and leadership in young people. We are very excited to partner with PowerAmerica to help young people in grades 3-12 explore and develop a lifelong curiosity and engagement of the STEM fields,” said John Akerman, Scout Executive and CEO of Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America.
About Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America
Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America provides North Carolina’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.” Occoneechee Council is comprised of over 21,000 youth and adult members in Chatham, Cumberland, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Lee, Moore, Orange, Vance, Wake, and Warren Counties.