Colonial Heights Public Schools Awarded STEM Grant to Expand Summer STEM Exploration Camp
Colonial Heights Public Schools (CHPS) is proud to announce that the Office of Technology and Learning has been awarded a $5,000 STEM Ecosystem Network Grant from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Governor’s STEM Advisory Board.
The grant will support the expansion of the Colonial STEM Exploration Camp, led by Innovative Learning Specialist, Stephanie Kliebenstein. The STEM Exploration Camp is a hands-on summer learning experience designed to increase student awareness of high-demand STEM careers while strengthening interdisciplinary problem-solving skills. The funding will allow CHPS to double student participation, expanding the camp from 20 to 40 students beginning in summer 2026.
The STEM Ecosystem Network Grant provides financial support to regional partnerships that include school divisions, higher education institutions, and industry partners. The program aligns with Virginia’s Performance and Support Framework, with a focus on exposing students to STEM academic pathways and career opportunities critical to the Commonwealth’s future workforce.
Expanding Access to High-Quality STEM Learning
The Colonial STEM Exploration Camp serves students across the division and emphasizes authentic, real-world application of STEM concepts through integrated challenges. Rather than learning science, mathematics, computer science, and engineering in isolation, students apply skills from multiple disciplines simultaneously to solve complex problems.
Camp activities include hands-on coding, engineering design challenges, and collaborative problem-solving experiences. A highlight of the program is a career exploration component featuring a representative from LEGO, a company that recently opened a facility in the region. This experience helps students connect classroom learning to real-world STEM careers and envision future academic and professional pathways.
“Ultimately, this camp helps students answer the question, ‘Why am I learning this?’” said CHPS leaders involved in the program. “When students see how STEM concepts connect to real careers and real problems, engagement and motivation increase.”
Demonstrated Demand and Proven Impact
The decision to expand the STEM Exploration Camp is driven by consistent student demand and positive feedback. Over the past two summers, the program has maintained a 50 percent waitlist, with more than 30 students per level applying while only 15 could be enrolled. The grant funding directly addresses this capacity gap, ensuring more students can participate.
Post-camp survey data further supports the program’s effectiveness. Students report increased interest in STEM topics, stronger understanding of STEM career options, and greater confidence in applying problem-solving and computational thinking skills. Families frequently request additional STEM opportunities during the academic year, underscoring the camp’s impact as a catalyst for continued engagement.
In addition, CHPS has seen increased attendance at family engagement events that include STEM activities, reinforcing the community’s strong interest in STEM-focused learning experiences.
Supporting Student Readiness and Career Awareness
The expanded camp aligns with all three components of Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework:
Mastery, through integrated STEM challenges that require students to demonstrate applied proficiency;
Growth, by building confidence and engagement in students who may struggle in traditional classroom settings; and
Readiness, by exposing students to high-demand STEM careers and encouraging enrollment in advanced coursework.
The 2026 camp will serve 40 students, including rising 4th through 6th graders, and will run concurrently with summer school. This structure ensures participating students have access to summer transportation and meal services.
Recruitment efforts will include a division-wide application process as well as targeted outreach to ensure equitable access, including teacher nominations and direct family engagement.
Through this grant and the expansion of the STEM Exploration Camp, Colonial Heights Public Schools continues its commitment to providing innovative learning opportunities that prepare students for success in an ever-evolving world.