Earth Data Participates in Bellevue Passage Museum STEAM Summer Camp
Earth Data, Inc. staff recently participated in Bellevue Passage Museum’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) Summer Camp by providing a presentation on geographic information systems for middle school campers. The camp also explored other STEAM career paths including molecular chemistry and Artificial Intelligence, writing/coding stories and robotics, creating mobile multiplayer games, and graphic design through engaging in hands-on projects and guided group activities.
Eric Flickinger, Director of Geospatial Services at Earth Data, presented to Bellevue Passage Museum STEAM Summer Camp participants how to use Google Earth to explore places around the world they wanted to see.
Campers traveled the globe with Camp staff volunteer Eric Flickinger, Director of Geospatial Services at Earth Data. He led them through an exercise that allowed campers to find latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates for places they wanted to visit, add them to a database, and then chart the coordinates in real-time using Google Earth. From Ukraine and Kyoto to Easter Island and Bellevue, campers learned about different places worldwide and why they were of interest.
“To be a part of the STEAM week through Bellevue Passage Museum was an empowering experience. Building on the strength of the history of Bellevue, where I live, to help launch energetic students into a boundless future has been rewarding beyond words. Seeing their young creative minds connect the concepts of technology with their passions will put them on a pathway toward their dreams,” reflects Flickinger.
“I take the mantra ‘It takes a village’ very seriously because I can recall all the family, teachers, and community members who helped my growth and development. With the Bellevue Passage Museum STEAM Summer Camp, I wanted to capture that community spirit and support and pass it along to our students,” comments Kat De Shields-Moon, Camp Director/Director of Programming.
The STEAM Summer Camp was free to participants. Support was provided by the United States Coast Guard and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore 4H Extension, who loaned the students iPads and laptops and provided swag bags and snacks. BAAM also connected the camp to its summer programming and provided camper transportation. Camp staff who volunteered their time as pod leaders for the week included Bellevue resident Eric Flickinger, Director of Geospatial Services at Earth Data; Kiara Brummell, Docent at Waters Edge Museum in Oxford; Mario Threats, Information Technology Business Owner and Bellevue resident; Drs. Dennis and Mary De Shields, M.D., Founders of Bellevue Passage Museum; and Jamico Moon, BAAM's Facilities Director, who provided transportation.
Eric Flickinger, Director of Geospatial Services at Earth Data, explained how latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates work to Bellevue Passage Museum STEAM Summer Camp participants.
“I was so grateful to have several volunteers from local businesses spanning different industries to either volunteer as a pod leader for the week, stop by to share some wisdom, or both in Eric's case. Sometimes, especially for minorities, tech careers can feel far away and inaccessible. By bringing local professionals to them to speak about their experiences, at least they know those jobs are right here in Talbot County. If there's any truth to "you can't be what you can't see," and there certainly is, bringing in local businesses and professionals is the first step in changing that narrative. The impact of these experiences on our students was truly inspiring,” De Shields-Moon shares.
“I cannot begin to express my appreciation to Earth Data, Inc. for encouraging employees to find something they are passionate about and give their hearts to. The spirit of giving has awakened in me through their generous support,” Flickinger adds.