A record number of students are participating in Summer Scholars and Young Scholars at Howard Payne University this week according to Dr. Julie Welker of Howard Payne. Welker stated that 78 students are taking part in the program and learning to challenge their minds beyond ordinary thinking.
Welker stated that the program includes 1st through 6th graders. The young scholars, or 1st through 3rd graders, are studying music, reading, and history. The older group of 4th through 6th graders, summer scholars, is studying reading, history and robotics. Pictured above are two of the students with their robot in class on Tuesday.
Welker stated that the Summer and Young Scholar programs are a week of activities that challenge students to think critically.
“We tend to give kids the opportunities to challenge themselves physically with summer camps focused on physical activities such as sports, but this camp is different in that it gives the kids a chance to develop and challenge their minds just as they would physically challenge their bodies in sports camps,” said Welker. “They learn to think critically and really expand how they think.”
Welker said that students are also learning about government such as the difference between the office of president and governor and how the Electoral College works.
Robotics is another subject that is very popular this year in the program. Tami Hull explained that the kids are learning not only to build and program them but also how robots help people and are beneficial to society.
Instructors for this year’s program include:
Summer Scholars:
Tami Hull – Robotics/Computers
Dr. Matthew NcNiece – History
Deanna Drummond – Reading
Young Scholars:
Clairissa Tucker – Reading
Deanna Erxleben – Music
Jennifer McNiece –History
Assistants helping this year are: Emily Harding, Hanna George, McKenna Towell, Hannah Noble, Asa Welker, Ryan Stanford, and Hunter Hull.
Below are more photos of the Summer and Young Scholars Programs on Tuesday.
Testing programing in robotics class.
Reading Class with Mrs. Drummond.
Snacktime for the Young Scholars.
