Brownwood News – Dr. Derek L. Smith, former associate professor of chemistry at Howard Payne University, and Frank Ritter ’17 recently led a workshop for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) students during the 4-H Horizons Camp, sponsored by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service and HPU.

The camp is held each year at the Texas 4-H Conference Center on Lake Brownwood with up to 100 elementary and middle school student participants. During the four-day camp, youth spend six hours per day studying in a project area of their choosing, such as woodworking, veterinary science, wildlife and STEM-robotic.

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This year, 15 students chose the STEM-robotics track. These students learned how to build and program Lego robots, construct trebuchets, test water quality and explore forensic science through pattern recognition in fingerprints and microscopic examination of hair samples.

“These hands-on activities make learning fun, while reinforcing teamwork and communication skills in these talented kids,” said David Smith, the camp’s administrator. “Most of our content experts and project leaders come from within the Extension, but these kids benefit every year from the outside expertise that local professionals, such as Frank and Derek, possess.”