GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Forty-two students participated in a groundbreaking STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) camp at Dillard Academy Charter School this summer, marking the first community-sponsored educational program of its kind in Goldsboro’s recent history.

The program came together through the collaborative efforts of local churches, civic organizations, and private individuals who provided funding, supplies, time, and volunteer support after children’s advocate Ms. Carol Dowd highlighted the need for affordable summer options for young people in the area.

From Concept to Reality in Just Months

What began as a simple proposal drafted in May by school administrators Ms. Bethlen and a colleague evolved into a fully-funded community program by summer. The rapid development represents an unprecedented level of community investment in local education, according to program organizers with 20 years of experience in Goldsboro’s educational landscape.

According to program organizers, over half of the jobs students will eventually hold don’t exist yet. The camp’s philosophy centers on teaching students how to think and adapt rather than training them for specific roles, which organizers say is the core purpose of STEAM education.

Hands-On Learning Across Multiple Disciplines

Students were divided into groups named after notable innovators: Albert Einstein, Katherine Johnson, Bill Gates, and Leonardo da Vinci, with each name representing different aspects of STEAM education. Participants rotated daily through various learning stations, engaging in coding, experiments, building projects, design challenges, and artistic creation.

The program included field trips to educational venues, including a visit to Marvel’s museum where students experienced 3D movies on IMAX screens, combining entertainment with educational exposure to advanced technology.

Building Future Problem Solvers

Beyond individual projects, the camp focused on developing critical thinking and collaborative skills that organizers believe will serve students regardless of their future career paths. The emphasis on innovation and creativity aimed to help students see themselves as capable problem solvers.

Camp leadership emphasized that the week’s activities extended beyond simple projects, focusing instead on planting seeds for students’ future development as innovative thinkers.

Recognition and Future Opportunities

All students who completed the camp received gift cards from Texas Roadhouse, which also provided meals during the program. Parents were notified they could collect these recognition gifts throughout the remainder of the summer.

For students continuing their education at Dillard Academy during the 2025-2026 school year, STEAM education will remain a central focus of their curriculum. The school continues to accept applications for certain grade levels, with interested families directed to visit the school’s website enrollment portal.

Community Investment Pays Forward

The success of this inaugural community-sponsored camp demonstrates the potential for sustained local investment in educational programming. Organizers expressed hope that the program represents the beginning of students’ lifelong engagement with science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

The initiative showcases how community collaboration can rapidly transform educational opportunities, creating programs that might not otherwise exist within traditional funding structures.