STEM: Local Partnership Turns Tech-Savvy Kids Into Tech Creators

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - This isn't your typical summer camp. These kids are taking their love of smartphones and gaming consoles one step further. At the New Foundations Charter School, students are getting the total 'Tech Experience'.

The school teamed up with Best Buy to provide the camp to middle and high school students from lower income families in Philadelphia.

Best Buy Geek Squad Agent Evan Wargolet says of the camp; "Geek Squad Academy is about bridging the digital divide and giving kids the opportunity to do things that they normally wouldn't be able to..."

Each camp is free, lasts two days and is held throughout the summer. The 125 students attending this camp are learning lessons that could lead to careers in technology.

"The whole idea with us partnering with Geek Squad is to really give students the opportunity to have some real world application, so the whole focus is STEM based..." saysNew Foundations Charter School Technology Teacher Jessica Thomas.

The sessions are engaging and interactive, providing a hands-on experience with a range of tech savvy subjects. Evans describes; "they get to learn different things like 3D printing, they get to learn circuits and logic, where they get to build their own little circuit board, they get to make their own music..."

These skills can turn the young technology user into a creator.

As Evan summarizes; "it's being able to be more of a creative entity rather that than just a consumer of things, they actually build and create things."

The New Foundation Charter School has been holding summer camps for ten years. If your school or organization has a great science, math, technology or math story to tell, let us know on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter by using #CBS3STEM