Continuing to Meet the Needs of Middle School Students in Southwest Florida Despite COVID-19 Restrictions

We describe two established STEM camps that went virtual following the outbreak of COVID-19, during the summer of 2020. Our Summer Research Opportunity (SRO) camp engages middle school science fair winners in a forensic research opportunity, while The Immokalee Foundation (TIF) camp introduces middle school students from historically underrepresented groups to STEM topics. Home kits were carefully prepared and delivered to all participants to enhance their engagement with our faculty facilitators. What was modified to accommodate the virtual experience is discussed. Our program assessment used a retrospective pretest-posttest design delivering a modified STEM Semantics survey to measure interest in STEM topics and STEM careers. While the programming and the population was different for each camp, both programs achieved positive outcomes in the virtual environment enhancing participant interest in, excitement for, and importance of STEM topics and STEM careers. The local TV news even broadcasted a short video of one of the camps.