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) learning, according to an April 10 announcement. The initiative aims to provide academic support and early exposure to a college environment for K-12 students through summer camps, tutoring programs, and immersive educational experiences.
The effort is designed to strengthen the community’s educational pipeline by fostering excitement about STEM subjects at an early age. CalTeach operates on every University of California campus that offers undergraduate education and has grown over two decades from a teacher preparation program into one with significant outreach components that directly impact local schools.
Chelsea Arnold, director of CalTeach at UC Merced, said the goal is straightforward: “Our goal is to show them what’s possible,” she said. “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 now serves about 950 students each summer—up from its original 100 participants—offering workshops led by university undergraduates, graduate students, faculty partners, and community college students. This year’s academy will be accessible free of charge for 600 local children due to a new grant from the Merced City School District. Last year’s pilot brought 100 middle schoolers onto campus at no cost; this expansion increases participation sixfold.
Arnold emphasized inclusivity: “We want the whole county to know that this is a resource,” she said. “Kids can come to campus and have a blast doing different STEM camps all summer.” The academies offer various programs tailored by age group—from nature studies for younger children up through data science courses using Python and R for high schoolers.
Melissa Amarillas, student services advisor for CalTeach, highlighted how these experiences can change academic trajectories: one student moved from a non-college-prep track into AP Physics after attending camp. Arnold added: “It’s an amazing opportunity to connect their kids to a world-class research university,” she said. “It’s our job to show them that this is their university and their place.”
Beyond summer activities, CalTeach has reached an agreement with the district adding 32 after-school tutors starting this fall alongside its current team of in-school tutors. Amarillas explained: “Right now in Merced, there’s a waitlist of 400 to 500 kids who could be in after-school programming… This expansion of tutoring services is a win all the way around.” Isabella Jaurique-Pouncey from the district confirmed about 140 more students will receive assistance as part of this new partnership.
Amarillas also noted how having college student tutors inspires younger learners: “Younger students see college students who look like them… They start to see themselves as college students too.” Jaurique-Pouncey described how tutors are shadowing experienced staff before taking on independent roles within after-school programs—the first time CalTeach tutors have participated in these efforts.
The program benefits both sides; while young learners gain role models who reflect their backgrounds and ambitions toward higher education or teaching careers,
university participants earn work-based experience vital for credentialing requirements—a point echoed by Professor Mayya Tokman who stated: “Currently almost a third of all newly credentialed math and science teachers statewide are alumni of UC CalTeach program… providing undergraduates with early opportunities… as well as directly benefiting K-12 students.”
Additional initiatives include residential environmental science camps held at Yosemite National Park where middle schoolers participate free-of-charge thanks again to collaboration between NatureBridge and local schools—all part of what leaders call critical steps toward building confidence,
inquiry skills,
and long-term academic momentum among area youth.
