07 Jul KCP&L, UMKC and KC STEM Alliance Offer Fourth Annual Get Into Energy Camp
KANSAS CITY, Mo – Twenty-five local middle school students will spend a few days this summer building motors, creating electricity and designing wind turbines – all in the name of energy.
Driven by a need for more job-ready candidates in power and energy fields, KCP&L, the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Computing and Engineering (SCE), and the KC STEM Alliance have teamed up to offer a three-day Energy Camp. The camp will run July 9-11 at UMKC and is designed to keep local students interested in science and math, ultimately, careers in energy.
Students and faculty from SCE will work with the younger students on interactive experiments that demonstrate the concepts of magnetism, physics and electricity. In addition, KCP&L employees will conduct field trips to a local power plant and substation to show how science is applied in the real world.
This is the fourth year for the Get Into Energy Camp and organizers are excited to unveil the latest content updates.
“We set out to create a fun, interactive summer camp where students can explore the basics of creating energy, get a first-hand look at how energy is delivered to their homes and communities, and speak with energy employees about career choices,” said Sarah Whitman, Technical Training manager for KCP&L.
Ultimately, the camp sponsors hope to inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields, and in turn build a robust workforce for the region.
“Businesses like KCP&L are concerned about the growing shortage of STEM professionals. They understand the importance of investing resources into future leaders, and that’s exactly what the Get Into Energy camp is all about,” said Laura Loyacono, director of the KC STEM Alliance.
About The University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.
About Kansas City Power & Light
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Great Plains Energy Incorporated is the holding company of Kansas City Power & Light Company and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, two of the leading regulated providers of electricity in the Midwest. Kansas City Power & Light Company and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company use KCP&L as a brand name. More information about the companies is available on the Internet at www.greatplainsenergy.com or www.kcpl.com.
About the UMKC School of Computing and Engineering
Located in one of the nation’s largest engineering communities, the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Computing and Engineering prepares students to work in cutting-edge engineering, computer science and information technology careers. SCE’s internationally recognized faculty prepare students for today’s competitive job market by providing a curriculum that includes the latest technology and business trends, as well as a comprehensive education in each field’s theory and fundamental practice.
About the KC STEM Alliance
The KC STEM Alliance is a collaborative network of educators, business partners and organizations that inspires interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers to generate a robust force of related professionals for our community. The Alliance supports area STEM programs, including Project Lead The Way® and FIRST®, coordinates related research and program evaluation as well as facilitating school and industry partnerships. The Alliance supports efforts that provide a solid foundation of STEM education for all students, regardless of race, gender or economic status; thereby increasing the quality, quantity and diversity of job-ready candidates for local STEM employers and advancing economic development and progress in our community.
Media Contact: John Martellaro
816-235-1592
