What happens when you combine the thrill of sports with the creativity of coding robots? You get the ultimate summer camp experience! This unique blend of sports and STEM activities took place at Normal Heights Elementary and Edison Elementary in summer of 2024. Thanks to the partnership between Tomlinson Touching Lives Foundation and EdforTech, with funding from the San Diego Foundation Level Up Grant.
Sports, Leadership, & STEM: A Winning Combination
The Sports, Leadership, & STEM camp was designed to teach students life skills, character development, and teamwork. This was accomplished through a combination of STEM education and sports activities.
This innovative program, aimed at 5th and 6th graders from San Diego Unified School District, not only kept kids engaged, but also inspired schools to think differently about summer programming.
Held at Normal Heights Elementary and Edison Elementary in CA, the camp took place over the summer. Students registered through the San Diego Foundation’s (SDF) funded San Diego County Schools Extended Learning initiative. A total of 25 students actively participated, engaging in a diverse range of hands-on learning experiences.
Why Schools Should Combine Sports and STEM Camps
This camp was more than just a summer diversion—it was a transformative experience. The program focused on building leadership skills, enhancing academic engagement through STEM, and promoting physical fitness through sports. Here’s why this combination works:
- Physical and Mental Engagement: Integrating sports and STEM kept students active and mentally sharp. The sports component kept the brain alert, while STEM activities challenged their problem-solving skills.
- Leadership and Character Development: Through life skills workshops, students learned to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound) goals, building strong character traits that will serve them in and out of the classroom.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Whether on the field or in the classroom, students worked together to achieve common goals, learning the value of communication, cooperation, and collective problem-solving.
How Sports is Similar to STEM
Just like a sports team must read the defense, make decisions quickly, and adjust plays on the fly, coding a robot requires students to work together, troubleshoot, think critically, and adapt when things don’t go as planned. Kids love the sense of accomplishment when a play works or when their code finally makes the robot move correctly.
Boost Student Engagement with a Sports and STEM Camp
Imagine a summer camp where students learn to code robots and practice sports drills in the afternoon. A typical day in the Sports, Leadership, & STEM camp:
- Part one: STEM Activities and Robotics Coding
- Students dove into hands-on STEM projects, including coding and programming robots in a team-based environment.
- Problem-solving challenges required them to think critically, troubleshoot, and adapt their strategies, mirroring the mental agility needed in sports.
- Part two: Sports Practice Drills and Leadership Workshops
- Football practice focused on teamwork, strategy, and physical skills, fostering a sense of individual achievement within a group context.
- Leadership workshops emphasized character building, decision-making, and what it means to be a leader on and off the field.
- End-of-Day Reflections:
- Students shared their insights, set new goals, and celebrated their achievements, reinforcing the lessons learned throughout the day.
Feedback and Outcomes: A Winning Experience for Students
The students’ feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants highlighted the blend of character, leadership, sports, and STEM as their favorite aspects. Many expressed that they would eagerly attend a similar camp in the future, showcasing the program’s impact on their development as leaders, engineers, and strategic thinkers.
How Sports is Similar to STEM
Designing a new play in a sport is like designing a robot—it starts with a vision, followed by planning, testing, and refining until it works as intended.
“I really liked how we got to do coding, robotics, and sports.” Student response on survey
How to Create a Sports and STEM Summer Camp
Creating a sports and STEM summer camp involves a strategic blend of physical activities and hands-on STEM learning to keep students engaged and excited.
Start by identifying your target age group and partnering with local coaches, educators, or STEM professionals who can deliver high-quality, interactive content. Consider incorporating a variety of sports, such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, track and field, or football to appeal to diverse interests and skill levels.
Design a balanced schedule that alternates between sports training—like practice drills—and STEM activities, such as coding robots or problem-solving challenges, to provide a comprehensive experience. Next, hire and onboard the educators and coaches who will oversee the camp and be instrumental in success. Create a program plan including a checklist of supplies and equipment needed – like sports gear and robotics kits. Also provide necessary training for the educators and all staff for STEM, sports, and meeting all compliance guidelines.
Finally, market the camp to students and parents as a unique opportunity to develop character leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking skills in a fun and dynamic environment. By integrating sports and STEM, you create a camp that challenges both the body and mind, fostering a love for learning and physical activity in every participant.
Here are some frequent questions (FAQs) about Sports and STEM camps:
- How do we find funding and resources for the camp? Search for funding organizations who want to make an impact in communities and have education or camps as a priority. Schools can explore local grants, community partnerships, and sponsorships to support their initiatives. Start planning early.
- What instructors and coaches are needed? Schools can use this as an opportunity to build STEM capacity among their teaching staff. Partnering with local sports teams, STEM organizations, and educational foundations can provide access to skilled coaches and educators passionate about youth and professional development.
- How do we manage scheduling and logistics? Using school facilities during off-peak times and leveraging online platforms to track registration and attendance can streamline the planning process.
- How do we measure success? Evaluating student feedback, skill development, and overall engagement can provide insights into the camp’s impact, helping schools refine their programs year after year.
Join Us in Celebrating STEM Educators Who Shape the Future
Resources to Develop a Sports and STEM Camp:
- Funding Sources: Look into local educational grants and potential sponsorships from community businesses and sports programs.
- Curriculum Guides: Resources like EdforTech STEM activities and the Tomlinson Foundation
- Character Leadership Program and USA Football for sports training tips can provide a solid foundation for camp content.
- Program Planning: Utilize templates and planning guides from organizations such as Edutopia, Wallace Foundation, and the National Summer Learning Association to help structure your camp.
Combining Athletics and STEM Education in School Camps
The Sports, Leadership, & STEM camp in San Diego Unified Schools was more than just a summer program; it was a unique blend of learning, physical activity, and personal growth. By integrating sports with STEM, the camp not only kept students engaged but also prepared them for future challenges in school and beyond. Schools looking to replicate this success can start small, build community partnerships, and create a program that challenges and inspires.
Ready to inspire the next generation of leaders, athletes, and innovators? Combine sports and STEM for a summer camp experience that students will never forget!
This approach to summer learning combines the best of physical and intellectual challenges, helping students grow in every way possible. Consider EdforTech as your STEM camp partner with planning and management services, STEM curriculum, hands-on labs with robots, and training for educators. Let’s get more schools on board and transform the way we engage kids over the summer!
STEM education encourages the next generation of engineers, technologists, scientists, and artists. Our team of STEM experts are here to support you in implementing meaningful K-12 learning experiences that empower students and educators.
Request more information today about how you can incorporate STEM learning at your school and increase student achievement.
