UC Merced’s CalTeach program is expanding opportunities for younger students in Merced County to engage in hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities, academic support, and early exposure to a college environment, according to an April 10 announcement.
The collaboration between UC Merced’s CalTeach program and the Merced City School District aims to strengthen the educational pipeline by providing summer STEM camps, increased tutoring capacity, and immersive learning experiences. The initiative seeks to inspire students’ interest in STEM fields at an early age while also supporting their academic growth throughout the year.
Chelsea Arnold, director of CalTeach at UC Merced, said the mission is clear: “Our goal is to show them what’s possible. If you can get a kid excited about something, that switch gets turned on, and they want to continue learning more.” The Bobcat Summer STEM Academy has grown from serving 100 participants in its first year in 2016 to about 950 each summer. This year a new grant from the school district will allow 600 students—100 per week for six weeks—to attend free of charge. Last year’s pilot brought 100 middle schoolers at no cost; this expansion increases participation sixfold.
The academies offer programs tailored by age group: younger children participate in exploratory academies like nature studies or engineering play; upper elementary students begin programming and electronics; middle schoolers take part in activities designed to keep them interested in math and science; high schoolers develop applied skills such as data science using Python and R. Melissa Amarillas, student services advisor for CalTeach, shared how these programs have already changed some students’ academic paths—for example when one participant discovered a passion for physics that led them into advanced courses and eventually transfer to UC Merced.
Beyond summer offerings, CalTeach has finalized an agreement with the district for 32 after-school tutors starting this fall alongside its current roster of 45 in-school tutors. Amarillas said this expansion addresses a significant need: “Right now in Merced there’s a waitlist of 400 to 500 kids who could be in after-school programming but the schools don’t have enough staffing.” Isabella Jaurique-Pouncey from the district confirmed that about 140 more students will receive assistance due to this agreement.
CalTeach also offers work-based learning opportunities for UC Merced undergraduates pursuing teaching credentials or exploring education careers. Students are paired with mentor teachers across area districts while taking Natural Sciences Education classes focused on best teaching practices. Each year they spend around 6,000 hours observing or teaching lessons locally.
Professor Mayya Tokman noted: “Currently almost a third of all newly credentialed math and science teachers statewide are alumni of UC CalTeach program,” adding that outreach benefits both undergraduates considering education careers as well as K-12 learners directly.
Other initiatives include CalTeach’s residential Yosemite camp for middle schoolers—a three-day environmental science experience held at Yosemite National Park free of charge—which further broadens access for local youth.
Arnold summed up the broader impact: “Our goal is not just to fill their buckets of knowledge but to get them to ask questions, think deeper and have fun while doing it.”
