Chippewa Valley Times

For two weeks in June, 118 area high school students engaged in hands-on learning experiences at UW-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University. The Summer STEAM Experience introduced students to career paths in science, technology, engineering, art, and design through faculty-led activities.

The camps emphasized creativity and critical thinking across various disciplines such as genetics, graphic design, fashion, filmmaking, metalwork, and video game design. Students interested in the cellular makeup of the human body and fashion joined Professor Mike Bessert in a biology lab and Lecturer Sarah Eileen Smith in the Maker's Lab.

In Bessert’s Microbiology: Genetics and DNA Analysis camp, 19 students utilized lab technology applicable to biochemistry, forensics, or health fields. They collected DNA specimens and employed techniques to study DNA. "This camp gives the students a taste of what it’s like to be a biology student here at Stout," said Bessert. He noted that the goal was for students to become familiar with commonly used DNA extraction and quantifying techniques.

Smith's Fashion Drawing and Draping camp saw 10 students bring their designs to life through patternmaking exercises involving draping fabric on dress forms and sketching professional fashion figures. "They’re doing exactly what our first-year fashion students practice," Smith remarked.

Additionally, nearly 115 middle school students will participate in the Junior STEAM Experience this summer. Thirty-eight students will join a new Video Game Design Week.

On the third day of camp, Bessert guided his students through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) optimization techniques to analyze DNA markers using gel electrophoresis. Maura Bright from Chippewa Falls and Mila Mitchell from Stanley-Boyd documented their experiments with time-lapse videos.

Bessert also led an activity where students collected deer tick specimens to test for Lyme disease-causing bacteria. Bright expressed her interest in genetics sparked by family trait comparisons at age 12. Mitchell's fascination with forensic science began with TV shows and a school project on genealogy.

Alyxandria Lunemann from Bloomer High School plans to pursue mutational genetics after discussions with a professor about genetic research on fruit flies and yeast. "I feel that Stout’s STEAM camp is a good representation of what it will be like researching in a genetics lab," she said.

During exploratory draping sessions in Smith's camp, students experimented with fabric manipulation on dress forms while drawing inspiration from trends, entertainment, nature, architecture, and more. Annella Wolbert drew inspiration from fabric flow; Samantha Anderson from Taylor Swift’s Grammy outfit; Addison Bauste from “The Summer I Turned Pretty” book series.

Wolbert and Anderson have previously sewn pillowcase dresses for Little Dresses for Africa with their Girl Scouts troop as part of their Silver Award project.

Students showcased their designs on the final day of camp. UW-Stout’s STEAM camps are sponsored by local school districts and businesses including Parker OEM Fabricators and Delta Fastener in partnership with Continuing Education and Conferences at Educational Pathways and Outreach.

UW-Stout Athletics offers multiple summer youth sports camps led by university coaches covering basketball, football, gymnastics, soccer, softball, track, volleyball, and dance. Stout Adventures’ Youth Climbing League provides introductory climbing activities for children aged 6-12 led by experienced instructors.