College of Education and Health Professions faculty and students served the community this summer through camps and programs for children of various ages.
The college’s STEM Education faculty hosted 32 students from Dumas Reed Elementary School as part of the Science Education Partnership Award program, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. Professor Michael Daugherty, in the college’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, is a key collaborator on the project awarded to the University of Arkansas. The $1.25 million award supports STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) for underrepresented students.
Faculty in the Speech and Hearing Clinic hosted a new literacy camp, WE R.E.A.D., sponsored by a WE CARE grant. Guest readers stopped by the literacy camp each week to share a favorite storybook with the children. Undergraduate and graduate students in the communication sciences and disorders program assisted faculty member Stephanie Hicks with the camp. Hicks is a certified academic therapist with over 25 years of experience working with students who have dyslexia or other learning differences.
New this year, the Clinic for Literacy and the U of A Museum partnered to host a camp for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Master of Arts in Teaching students from the college provided literacy interventions through fun activities. Campers conducted research using non-fiction resources and specimens at the museum, which houses a wide array of materials across time and space.
By the end of camp, each student had authored a non-fiction book or created a poster showcasing their individual research. Campers weren’t the only ones learning during the two-week experience. The college’s Master of Arts in Teaching students acquired fantastic hands-on training. “This camp was an amazing opportunity to apply the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my undergraduate years,” said Kelsey Holland. “I also believe this camp was great in preparing me for my future teaching endeavors. Noticing how much my student grew during our time together was truly so rewarding to watch.”
The Clinic for Literacy also hosted its annual summer literacy camp for students who completed kindergarten through fifth grade. Campers were also paired with College of Education and Health Professions students preparing to be teachers for this camp. After pre- and post-assessments related to literacy skills, campers enjoyed literacy lessons and games focusing on their specific needs in an engaging and fun environment.
Young Writers Camp was also held on campus and at several sites in Northwest Arkansas over the summer for students in second through 11th grade. The camp’s two goals are that students have fun, and their writing improves. Young writers interviewed K9 handlers and Razorback student-athletes, wrote stories, and filled their notebooks.
Visit the college’s Clinic for Literacy for more information on camps held throughout the year.
