SIC Holds First Career Exploration Camp

This summer, middle-school students will have the opportunity to begin exploring the various career options available in the world. SIC will be hosting a Career Exploration Camp on July 31 through August 2. The camp, which is open to students of grades 6 through 8, will feature some of the various study and career opportunities available at SIC.

Students can choose between classes involving Minecraft; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); and Diesel Technology. Each class will be taught by SIC instructors and members of the various student clubs on campus.

Lori Cox, the Associate Dean of Workforce and Community Education, believes that this experience will be of great benefit to every student involved.

“We are using these camps as an opportunity to introduce middle school age students to options in the workforce,” Cox said. “These camps will allow the students hands-on experience and knowledge about career fields available to them in the future.”

The Minecraft for Education class will be taught by Scott Reed and the SIC IT Club. Students in this course will experience science, history, math, health, geography and more within the game of Minecraft.

The Diesel Technology class will be taught by Chris Jones and the SIC Diesel Club. Students in this class will receive hands-on experience with basic mechanical skills and techniques. The class will also offer a base knowledge of the theory of internal combustion engines as well as how to assemble working engines.

The STEM class will be taught by Jason Fitzgerald, Aaron Poole and the SIC Math and Science Club. The class will explore topics such as basic biology, chemistry, biotechnology and physics. Students will have the opportunity to explore living cells of different species, test different proteins and nutrients, explore DNA and ecology with electrophoresis, use DNA fingerprinting, and perform an experiment with quantum mechanics and identify an elemental gas.

Cox believes that the camp will give students a preview of what SIC has to offer for college.

“The Career Exploration Camps will allow both students and parents to experience what SIC has to offer them for college and career readiness,” Cox said. “This will allow our local young people the opportunity to stay in southeastern Illinois for college and after with career options.”

The camp is from July 31 to August 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. each day. The charge is $60 per student. Students may only take one class. To register for the class, download and fill out the form included in the camp flyer available at www.sic.edu/community-education and return to Lori Cox by July 23.

For further information, contact Lori Cox at (618) 252-5400 ext. 2300 or by email at lori.cox@sic.edu or visit www.sic.edu/community-education.

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Written by Bailey Drone, student writer.