The Kummer Center for STEM Education launched “Miners in the Making,” an after‑school program for three Phelps County school districts. Thanks to grant funding through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, this program is free for families.
The program received a Missouri Child Care license, allowing the program to serve kindergarten through fifth grade students in the Rolla, Newburg and Phelps County R-III school districts. The program runs after school until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“This program fits perfectly with Kummer Center for STEM Education’s mission,” says Susan Reisner, a retired teacher who is now senior program support coordinator for Miners in the Making. “So many students — especially those in rural areas — may be interested in expanding their knowledge in STEM, but do not have easy access to extra programming. That’s where our efforts can really make a difference.”
Time is allotted for participants to receive homework help and tutoring from S&T students, while also learning from qualified teachers about various STEM topics tailored to their age and skill levels. The topics covered include everything from robotics and manufacturing to artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
We want to give students as many opportunities as possible to have STEM-focused enrichment.”
“Each day will be a different focus for the students,” says Courtney Jones, director of S&T’s Kummer Center for STEM Education. “The curriculum is already developed, and we are excited to have more and more participants take advantage of this great resource and see them shine in our program. We want to give students as many opportunities as possible to have STEM-focused enrichment.”
Multiple community partners are playing a role with the program, including Prevention Consultants of Missouri, Kaleidoscope Discovery Center and the FIRST in Missouri robotics program.
Space and resources have been allocated for up to 150 students. During the spring semester, the program enrolled 61 additional students and now serves a total of 99 K–12 students from public schools in Rolla, Newburg and Edgar Springs, St. Patrick School and the local homeschool community. New inquiries about the program are received daily.