The Hoquiam and Chehalis school districts will co-host this summer’s University of Washington high school STEM camp at W.F. West High School in Chehalis July 15-19.

“We’re excited to be co-hosting this event with Chehalis,” said Hoquiam School Superintendent Mike Villarreal. “No K-12 public school program can match the exposure our students will receive in engineering and medicine in partnership with the University of Washington.”

There were 50 slots made available for area students. Villarreal said he split those 50, keeping 10 for Hoquiam and distributing the rest to other local districts. The application period has passed and districts are currently in their selection processes. Selected students will be transported to W.F. West High School during the program.

The University of Washington College of Engineering and UW Medicine will both be participating. Students will be given hands-on opportunities to learn about and experience engineering and medical science.

“The Quinault Indian Nation is excited about exposing our young people to the cutting-edge technology provided by the University of Washington in an interactive and engaging setting,” said M’Liss DeWald, Education Manager of the Quinault Indian Nation. “There are many job opportunities within Quinault Indian Nation that require STEM degrees; this opens the door for our Quinault youth to gain knowledge needed to come back and work for the Nation.”

Selected students will spend four days in classes at W.F. West High School. The final day of STEM Camp will be on the University of Washington campus.

“Last year’s STEM camp in Chehalis was very well received,” said Randy Hodgins, Vice President for External Affairs for the University of Washington. “It allows students to see and interact with cutting-edge technology and science.”