City Staff Lead Career-Focused STEM Activities at Youth Summer Camps

This summer, the City of Santa Rosa engaged youth in career-focused STEM activities as part of their summer camp programs, aiming to inspire the next generation of engineers and public transportation professionals.

In June, Rachel Ed, Santa Rosa CityBus Manager and Deputy Director of Transportation and Public Works, presented to a summer camp of middle school students attending Mike Hauser Academy. Rachel's session provided an overview of the City's public transit system, highlighting the importance of public transportation, its operations, and the various careers involved in keeping the system running efficiently. This presentation not only educated the students about public transit but also showcased the potential career paths available within the field of transportation.

Continuing the STEM focus into July, the Transportation and Public Works Capital Projects Engineering team took the reins, presenting to a summer camp group of 4th to 8th graders attending Mid-Grade Recreation Sensation. The team guided the students through a hands-on activity designed to illustrate the complexities of engineering and construction. The young participants were tasked with designing, managing, and building structures made of candy and toothpicks. This engaging exercise aimed to demonstrate the different roles required for a successful construction project, including planning, designing, and executing.

By involving city staff in these presentations, the camps provided students with real-world insights and practical experiences, making the learning process both informative and enjoyable.

About the Summer Camps

The Neighborhood Services programs, provided by Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks and the Violence Prevention Partnership, are supported by a voter-approved sales tax initiative to strengthen the community. One of these programs, Mid-Grade Recreation Sensation, is a five-week camp experience for youth from 4th to 8th grade. This camp not only offers engaging activities like arts, sports, swimming, and field trips but also emphasizes personal development. A unique aspect of the camp is its speaker series, where various professionals share their career paths, providing insights into their roles and the steps they took to reach their current positions. This series aims to inspire and foster personal growth by exposing participants to different career paths and the skills required to excel in them.

Additionally, the Mike Hauser Academy, facilitated by the Metro Chamber of Commerce, brings together students, businesses, and teachers to empower the future workforce to become leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through this three-week program, incoming high school students have the opportunity to learn about various STEM-related companies, interact with professionals, observe demonstrations, and participate in direct learning experiences and practical applications of STEM concepts. The Academy is a collaborative effort to increase academic achievement and inspire students to pursue their dreams.

The city's efforts underscore the importance of early exposure to STEM fields and the diverse career opportunities within them. By fostering interest and providing practical knowledge, Santa Rosa hopes to encourage more young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, ultimately contributing to a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in the future.