Karmen Luts is putting together a science-focused day camp for girls interested in STEM.
Luts, a 10th grader at Jasper High School, has been working her way through the scouting ranks, and is currently working to achieve the highest rank, Eagle Scout.
“The last rank is Eagle Scout. You have to put together a project for it, and your project should be created to benefit your community. My STEM camp is going to help me achieve that, and help girls in my community,” she said.
The Catalyst STEM Camp will be a girls-only camp for 4th-6th grade. It will take place on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. The location for the camp is Woodland Trace Church of Christ in Jasper.
“I have always loved science, and I wanted to give girls more opportunities to participate in STEM,” Luts said.
Ladies from the Society of Women Engineers from the University of Alabama-Huntsville will come and do a presentation for the students, teaching them how to make straw bridges. Luts reached out to the group through an email, and they were happy to help.
“I did some research on science programs in Alabama and contacted them. They said that being able to help kids and with projects like this was one of their favorite things,” she said. “We will also have a computer science activity. The girls will make bracelets that spell out their names in binary code.”
Luts is encouraging those interested to sign up and participate. Deadline to register is Feb. 13. Use the QR code on the attached flyer to register.
As for Luts’ future plans, she knows she wants to keep pursuing STEM.
“I’ve always loved STEM,” she said. “So I will probably go into that field some day.”