NASA and Drake State Partner to Provide Free STEM Bootcamps for Underrepresented Students

Thanks to a multi-year grant from NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP), middle and high school students can now enroll in free bootcamps at Drake State Community & Technical College.

The MUREP grant supports minority-serving institutions working to increase the number of racially or ethnically underrepresented and female students in science and engineering fields. 

Drake State launched their bootcamp program for adults a few months ago, and so far, it’s been quite popular.

“It’s been really great. It’s a way for people to come in and take a day of learning about a specific program or skill,” said Mark Moore, Director of Public Relations at Drake State. “Then, that can be their entrée into taking a short course, coming to college full-time, or it can just be something that they consider a hobby.”

As part of the Frontiers Engineering Coalition, Drake State recently rolled out the three new bootcamps, specifically designed to help minority youth and females take their first steps in future STEM occupations. 

“These bootcamps are unique because they’re aimed specifically at students that would fall under the requirements of the MUREP grant,” said Moore. “It’s about getting minority and female students involved in STEM. That’s why we’re really excited for this one, because it’s a way to get these underrepresented students that first taste of what these careers could be.”

The programs provide the flexibility that can lead to a certificate, a 2 year, or a 4-year degree plan. For example, the Machine Tool and Welding bootcamps are the initial steps leading to a mechanical engineering program and the Engineering Design Bootcamp provides a solid foundation for an industrial engineering education plan.

“Often students and parents do not realize that many of our two-year associate degrees lead to four-year engineering degrees,” said Director of Workforce Development Karen Ray. “At Drake State, students get hands-on opportunities that they otherwise may not get somewhere else.”

The Machine Tool, Engineering Design, and Welding bootcamps are scheduled for Saturday, February 26th, making it a great all-day event for the kids. Each bootcamp will run from 9 am – 4 pm and includes lunch. There will be actual hands-on work, along with learning the safety rules. Students can arrive, armed with curiosity and be ready to learn something new. Racially or ethnically underrepresented students and female students are encouraged to apply. 

The bootcamps are free. However, space is limited, so it’s recommended that interested students apply soon. The Engineering Design bootcamp is already filled.

“It’s really trying to find that spark, to see if this might be something a student would feel like they could go to school for,” said Moore. “We want to let them know these opportunities are there for careers. It’s really about providing that first look at the potential for what these different careers can do.” 

Now in its 60th year, Drake State specializes in offering flexible, yet affordable, university-transfer and technical degrees, certificates, along with adult and continuing education options. Drake State also provides customized skills training, which is crucial in fulfilling the diverse workforce needs of today’s employers.

Parents who would like to register their child for one of these bootcamps can sign-up online at  https://www.drakestate.edu/workforce-development/murep-bootcamps.