Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) is excited to welcome middle school students to its Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers summer camp, which kicked off this week at the Sioux City campus. The three-week, in-person program runs from June 9 to June 26, offering a fully immersive and hands-on STEM experience—completely free for students in grades 6 through 8 from local middle schools.
Hosted in partnership with Verizon, the program is part of the nationwide Verizon Innovative Learning initiative, which empowers middle school students to explore emerging technologies, develop problem-solving skills, and envision themselves in future tech careers. Through engaging sessions focused on design thinking, 3D printing, augmented reality, and social entrepreneurship, students are given the tools to innovate and create.
"This is our eighth year hosting the camp and we're thrilled to have 120 students participating in Sioux City and another 50 in Denison," said Steven Garcia, WITCC Director of Outreach and camp coordinator. "The students get to try out new technologies like drones, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing. They meet new people, work on exciting projects, and get inspired by what's possible in STEM. It's incredibly rewarding to see them light up with curiosity and excitement."
In addition to working with cutting-edge technology, students benefit from daily lunch, mentorship, and a collaborative environment that encourages curiosity and creativity. A second session of the camp will be held at WIT's Denison campus from July 7 to July 24, expanding access to more students in our region.
To learn more about Verizon Innovative Learning and the impact of STEM enrichment programs, visit: https://vz.to/4lQeGjt.