Piney Woods School STEM Summer Camp connects learning, leadership, mental wellness
JANS – The Piney Woods School recently offered campers a powerful two-week experience through its STEM Summer Camp, giving non-students an opportunity to participate in a fun, engaging, and rigorous schedule of learning and applied science.
As a college preparatory school, Piney Woods continues to create meaningful spaces where young people are encouraged to think critically, explore new ideas, and prepare for future success. During the camp, participants were exposed to hands-on STEM activities designed to strengthen problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and confidence.
Felicia Brookins served as guest speaker. During her presentation, she inspired and encouraged 64 campers from Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Illinois, New Jersey, and several other states by emphasizing the importance of personal growth, goal setting, resilience, and preparing for future success. She also spoke with campers about her role as a program analyst with SOL Engineering and the importance of STEM-related careers in today’s workforce. Her presentation highlighted the value of organization, communication, and problem-solving in a professional engineering-based environment.
She also connected STEM learning to mental health, emotional intelligence, and workplace readiness. She reminded campers that mental health is not separate from success, but directly connected to it. Whether in school, life, or the workplace, students need the ability to manage pressure, communicate effectively, make thoughtful decisions, and seek support when needed.
During the session, campers learned three engineering-based problem-solving techniques they can apply to everyday life: clearly define the problem before reacting, test possible solutions instead of giving up, and evaluate the outcome to learn from the process.
The presentation encouraged campers to see STEM not only as science, technology, engineering, and math, but also as a mindset that can help them approach challenges with confidence and clarity.
As a generous contribution to the program, Brookins donated journals for campers to encourage them to document their thoughts, reflect on their experiences, set meaningful goals, and pursue their future endeavors. Her message embodied The Piney Woods School’s Head, Heart, and Hands mission by encouraging students to think critically, lead with compassion and integrity, and apply their knowledge through purposeful action and service to others.
Her thoughtful gift and inspiring words provided each camper with a lasting resource for personal growth while reinforcing the camp’s commitment to leadership, character development, and lifelong learning. “Education has the power to transform a student whom the world underestimated, into a leader the world cannot ignore.”
