Colton Hughey, a fourth-grade pupil at Rocky Plains Elementary College, has been afforded the chance of a lifetime for a STEM-loving child resembling himself. However he won’t be able to attend except the neighborhood bands collectively to get him there.
Colton was nominated by Mrs. Marcel Carter, Assistant Principal at Rocky Plains, to attend a particular program for vibrant kids like himself. It’s the Nationwide Youth Management Discussion board Pathways to STEM program, and is a virtually weeklong camp hosted at Emory College in Atlanta in the summertime.
Admission to this system would value Colton’s dad and mom $3,245, which is cash the household doesn’t have budgeted.
The value is steep, however Colton’s mom, Jennifer, says they’re doing all they’ll to boost cash to get Colton there, together with beginning a GoFundMe and internet hosting a yard sale.
“Due to a couple unlucky circumstances the final couple of years, we now have been in a rebuilding course of for our household and we should not have sufficient to cowl the associated fee,” Jennifer mentioned. “To this point, we now have raised about $1,700 by the GoFundMe, a yard sale and a few household donations.”
With $1,700 raised, the household was capable of go forward and make a $500 deposit on Colton’s spot. However they solely have till Could 21 to boost the opposite $1,545 earlier than the deposit is nonrefundable.
Jennifer hopes that the cash will be raised in order that Colton can expertise this priceless exercise.
“That is such an unbelievable provide for my youngster,” Jennifer mentioned. “I really feel like, at instances, he has needed to take a backseat due to his sister’s well being points. That is his likelihood to shine and to get per week away from house to make new pals and do palms on studying within the fields of healthcare, engineering and crime scene investigation. He’ll be taught to be extra unbiased and self assured. I would like nothing greater than to see this occur for him.”
Colton is an enormous brother to a few little siblings. He loves video video games, taking part in along with his pal and studying the “I Survived” collection. And he loves his instructor, Mrs. Hammond.
“She’s my favourite instructor in fourth grade,” Colton mentioned. “She is just like the nicest instructor I’ve ever had.”
Colton’s favourite a part of science is performing experiments. He even does them at house.
“You understand what occurs if you mix baking soda, citric acid and water, don’t you?” Colton requested. “It erupts like a volcano, in order that’s most likely my favourite science experiment.”
Colton’s nomination letter mentioned that he would have the ability to discover three totally different STEM pathways: Drugs, engineering and crime scene investigation.
The letter says that, over the course of the week, Colton would get to discover ways to program a robotic, study detective work to resolve a case and dive into the world of medication.
“I actually wish to do it,” Colton mentioned emphatically. “Probably the most fascinating factor I wish to do, I believe there’s a criminal offense scene investigation factor. Additionally, I get to sleep over there for nearly a complete week – six days.”
Regardless of solely being within the fourth grade, Colton is already studying rapidly and leaving impressions on his faculty.
Colton competed within the Georgia Pupil Know-how Competitors, the place he gained first place on the regional stage. Colton’s submission was a online game design made in coding software program. He titled it, “The place is my distant?”
When his mother advised him the information of his regional victory, Colton mentioned he began cheering and was “bouncing off the partitions.”
This success performed a task in Carter’s determination to appoint him for this summer time program.
“His laborious work, creativity, and dedication has paid off and this could be an excellent alternative for him to enhance these expertise,” Carter mentioned. “We’re very happy with Colton’s accomplishments and hope this may be one thing he will be part of.”
With out generosity from strangers, Colton will miss out on his likelihood to broaden his love of STEM and develop new expertise. If you’re excited about making a donation to Colton’s GoFundMe, the hyperlink is on the market right here.
“My son is a really compassionate learner and he has labored laborious yearly in class,” Jennifer mentioned. “He has a number of awards to his identify and he has really earned this chance. There has solely been three different college students from his faculty to make it into this program. I might love for him to be the fourth particular person.”
