Linden Middle Schoolers Wrapped Up a Two-Week STEM Camp with a Merck Visit

Middle school students in Linden spent two weeks this summer building wind-powered devices, cooking with sunlight, sending objects down ziplines, and constructing robots—gaining hands-on experience connecting science concepts to real-world engineering challenges. Linden Public Schools ran the STEM Camp in two summer sessions: July 13–16 and July 20–23, providing students with immersive learning experiences centered on connecting K-8 science knowledge with practical engineering applications.

"The STEM Camp provided middle school students with an immersive two-week experience designed to connect the science knowledge developed throughout their K-8 education with real-world engineering applications," said Cynthia Apalinski, the district's supervisor of science.

The camp concluded with a field trip to Merck Global Headquarters in nearby Rahway, where students built robots and spoke with professionals about careers in science, engineering, and technology—connecting classroom learning to career pathways and professional opportunities.

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Hands-On STEM Learning Activities

Camp activities centered on tangible engineering challenges reflecting real-world applications. Wind-powered device construction taught principles of aerodynamics and renewable energy. Solar cooking connected solar energy principles to practical food preparation applications.

Zipline construction required engineering design, tension calculation, and safety consideration—bringing physics principles to physical construction challenge. Robotics building combined mechanical engineering with computer programming and problem-solving.

Hands-on activities transform abstract science concepts into concrete, experiential learning—enabling students to see themselves as engineers and scientists.

Connecting K-8 Curriculum to Engineering

The STEM Camp was designed specifically to bridge K-8 science education to real-world application. Rather than teaching engineering as separate subject, the program connected existing science knowledge—concepts studied throughout elementary and middle school—to practical engineering problem-solving.

Curriculum-connected approach reinforces science concepts while demonstrating practical relevance and career application, increasing student motivation and retention.

Two-Session Summer Program Structure

The camp ran in two two-week sessions (July 13–16 and July 20–23), enabling multiple middle school cohorts to participate. Two-week intensive format provides concentrated learning experience and allows students from multiple grade levels to engage together.

Session structure accommodates school scheduling constraints while providing sufficient time for complex engineering projects.

Merck Global Headquarters Partnership

The camp partnership with Merck Global Headquarters (Rahway) provided access to professional scientists, engineers, and technologists discussing real career pathways. Merck facility tour and professional interactions enabled students to see working scientists and engineers in professional setting.

Corporate partnership strengthens STEM programming authenticity and career exposure for middle school students beginning to consider academic and career pathways.

Career Awareness and Professional Connection

Beyond technical skills, the program intentionally exposed students to STEM career opportunities. Conversations with Merck professionals about engineering and science careers provided insight into potential educational pathways and professional possibilities.

Early career exposure influences student subject selection, academic trajectory, and professional aspiration development—particularly impactful during middle school years when students begin narrowing academic focus.

Robotics and Computational Thinking

Robotics building combined mechanical engineering knowledge with computational programming. Students designed robotic solutions, programmed movements, and tested functionality—integrating multiple STEM disciplines simultaneously.

Robotics projects require collaboration, problem-solving, iteration, and troubleshooting—teaching engineering methodology and computational thinking alongside technical skills.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability Focus

Wind-powered devices and solar cooking activities connected to renewable energy and sustainability topics increasingly central to STEM education and global environmental priorities. These activities ground abstract sustainability concepts in practical technology application.

For Linden middle school students, the STEM Camp provided immersive, application-focused summer learning connecting classroom science to real-world engineering challenges and professional career pathways.

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Photo Credit: Linden Public School

FAQ

Q: What is the Linden Public Schools STEM Camp?
A: A summer educational program for middle school students connecting K-8 science curriculum to real-world engineering applications through hands-on activities like building wind-powered devices, solar cooking, ziplines, and robots.

Q: When did the STEM Camp run in summer 2026?
A: The camp offered two sessions: July 13–16 and July 20–23, 2026.

Q: Where was the STEM Camp held?
A: The program took place at Linden High School Academy building.

Q: What hands-on activities did students do?
A: Students built wind-powered devices, cooked with solar energy, constructed ziplines, and built robots.

Q: How does STEM Camp connect to regular classroom learning?
A: The program specifically connects science knowledge learned throughout K-8 education to practical, real-world engineering applications and problem-solving.

Q: Did the camp include career exploration?
A: Yes. The camp included a field trip to Merck Global Headquarters where students spoke with professionals about careers in science, engineering, and technology.

Q: Who supervised the STEM Camp?
A: Cynthia Apalinski, the Linden Public Schools supervisor of science, oversaw the program.

Q: Did any companies partner with the school district?
A: Yes. Merck Global Headquarters partnered with the program, hosting a field trip and providing access to science and engineering professionals.

Q: What skills do students learn in STEM Camp?
A: Students develop problem-solving, computational thinking, collaboration, and engineering design skills through hands-on project completion.