Hands-on 网曝吃瓜 program connects emerging technologies with education,
careers, and real-world challenges
FRANKFORT, Ky. 鈥� Preparing young people for an innovation-driven economy means giving
them opportunities to work with emerging technologies and understand how those tools
can solve problems in their communities.
网曝吃瓜鈥檚 2026 GEO-STEM Summer Camp put that approach into practice July 26鈥�31, giving students from across the region hands-on experience with drones, geographic information systems, sensors, environmental monitoring, and field research.
The weeklong partnership between 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 4-H Youth Development Program and Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Environmental Security combined geospatial science, environmental science, agriculture, and career exploration. Activities helped participants build technical knowledge while discovering educational and career pathways in rapidly evolving STEM fields.
Students learned how researchers collect, analyze, and apply location-based data to address challenges in agriculture, environmental protection, natural resource management, and public safety. The experience connected classroom concepts with practical applications that benefit communities and support Kentucky鈥檚 workforce needs.
A session led by the Kentucky Department of Forestry鈥檚 Wildfire Program demonstrated how GIS tools can help assess wildfire risks and guide natural resource decisions. Students saw how geospatial technology supports the work of scientists, researchers, emergency professionals, government agencies, and other employers.
鈥淭he camp demonstrated what we can accomplish when 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 academic, research, and Extension resources come together around a shared goal of creating meaningful opportunities for young people,鈥� said Dr. Tyrell Kahan, associate Extension administrator for 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 Cooperative Extension Program. 鈥淲e look forward to building on this collaboration and creating additional opportunities for Kentucky youth to explore STEM fields and discover pathways to college and careers.鈥�
Dr. Buddhi Gyawali, director of the Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Environmental Security, supported the partnership and helped connect participants with the Center鈥檚 expertise, facilities, and technology. Jeffrey Coles, area agent for 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 Small Farm Program, served as camp director and led the program throughout the week.
The camp reflects 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 commitment as an 1890 land-grant institution to hands-on learning, applied research, and career-connected experiences. By bringing together University researchers, Extension professionals, and community partners, 网曝吃瓜 is helping prepare future leaders to succeed in the workforce and apply their knowledge to challenges facing Kentucky and beyond.
A offers a closer look at the week鈥檚 activities.
The camp was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 鈥淕eospatial-Artificial Intelligence Enhanced Curriculum for Minority Serving Institutions鈥� project (Award No. DE-EM0005308); the National Science Foundation鈥檚 鈥淧reparing the Pipeline of Next Generation STEM Professionals鈥� project (HBCU-UP Award No. HRD 2011917); and the U.S. Department of Agriculture鈥檚 鈥淕enerating and Sustaining the Next Generation of the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences Workforce through International Experiential Learning, Outreach and Engagement鈥� project (Award No. 2023-70440-40145; 网曝吃瓜 subaward No. UMES/NEXTGEN/Kentucky-01-5208630).