Dream Big: ENCORE CAMP expands college and career readiness programming to PSJA students
By: Nadia Tamez-Robledo

SAN JUAN, Texas - It can take years of study to learn to engineer the latest robotic prototypes and just as long to become an expert forensic investigator or business mogul, but students at San Juan Middle School had the opportunity to do both during the ENCORE Career Awareness and Mentorship Program.

The newest class of ENCORE Scholars spent their weekends participating in engaging, hands-on activities designed to give them a first-hand look at the worlds of science, engineering and business.

"ENCORE CAMPs have had a very positive influence on our students," said Rodrigo Hernandez, TTIPS Program Coordinator. "I hear it from them usually the Monday after the CAMPS, and it's very positive in that now they see the connection between what they do in the classroom versus what it is that they want to study."

During Robotics Day, students divided into teams and were given a task: turn over 100 pieces of metal and a motherboard into a working robot by the end of the day. Students are challenged to use teamwork and problem-solving skills by being given as little assistance as possible from instructors during this activity.

ENCORE Scholars then had the change to race their robots through a maze, trying to achieve the fastest completion time.

"I think it's pretty good because we come and learn about college," student Angel Alvarado said. "I like it 'cause we do projects, and I can't wait for us to do the CSI one."

SJMS students had the chance to step into their favorite crime television shows during Forensic Science Day and experienced a wide spectrum of real-world practices used by professional forensic scientists, including bone analysis. Scholars collected evidence at the "scene of the crime," analyzed bones to identify "victims," used blood spatter patters to determine the weapon, and learned to lift fingerprints.

"From [the sample in] this bag, I got suspect number four," Joseph Acosta, who wants to be a criminal investigator, said excitedly during the hair analysis lab. "And the hair from the crime scene, it was human."

Business Day gave students the opportunity to use their imaginations and design prototypes for the next generation of groundbreaking technological inventions. Scholars also were charged with developing business and marketing plans to ensure their inventions would be competitive in the global technology market.

"THE ENCORE CAMPs have affected our students in a positive manner," said Cynthia Salazar, TTIPS District Project Shepard. "Our students have been highly motivated to attend these CAMPs, and they are very excited to participateā€¦"

Developed by Engaging Communities for College Readiness (ENCORE), the goal of the CAMPs is to expose students to a variety of careers while introducing them to and engaging them in the college readiness process. In addition to hands-on activities, ENCORE Scholars also learn about what it means to choose a college degree plan and the scope of careers higher education can lead them to.

"We are very excited to expand the ENCORE CAMP Program to PSJA ISD," said Ernesto Villarreal, ENCORE Program Director. "PSJA ISD is one of the most dynamic and innovative school districts in the Rio Grande Valley that focuses on college and career readiness at all levels, exactly what ENCORE is all about."