NEWS

The SCILS Region 8 LaSTEM Center recently hosted its annual Mini Summit, bringing together students, educators, and community leaders to celebrate a year of STEM achievement across Northeast Louisiana.

The event highlighted the accomplishments of SCILS (STEM Collective for Innovative Louisiana Stakeholders) programs and provided a unique opportunity for collaboration among partners from Region 8. More than 100 individuals attended the summit, including students and educators from PK-12 schools, higher education partners, and regional stakeholders.

“This is an opportunity for folks from everywhere to get together and celebrate what we’ve accomplished this year,” said Cathi Cox-Boniol, SCILS director. “The Mini Summit allows people to network, share ideas, and realize we’re more alike than we are different.”

One of the event’s goals is to expand access and momentum for STEM opportunities in rural and underserved communities. “We feed off one another,” said Cox-Boniol. “A parish that hadn’t yet partnered with us came to the summit last year. By the end of that day, they had made connections, found inspiration, and went home ready to lead.”

Cox-Boniol noted that student engagement in STEM has grown significantly, leading to the expansion of programs like KidWind and robotics competitions. Initiatives such as RECIPE for Rural STEM have further fueled this momentum by providing hands-on STEM kits and equipment to classrooms which sparked curiosity and enthusiasm among both students and teachers.

Shalonda Hester, 21st Century Community Learning Center site coordinator for Bastrop High School, said her school’s first year participating in SCILS has been impactful.

“We’ve seen real growth in our students,” Hester said. “Their excitement about participating in SCILS competitions has been incredible, and they’ve learned so much. This experience has opened the door for us to expand our robotics program and engage with even more students.”

For Jhalil Atkins, a ninth-grader at Bastrop High School, the collaborative nature of SCILS has deepened his interest in robotics and STEM.

“Working with my friends makes the competitions more fun, but I find STEM interesting in general,” Atkins said. “It’s been exciting to understand robotics in a way I never had before.”

Cox-Boniol urged anyone interested in joining the SCILS community to act quickly.

“Whether you’re an educator or student, don’t wait to get involved,” she said. “SCILS is helping ensure individuals are equipped and excited to take on future opportunities in STEM fields.”

For more information about SCILS Region 8 LaSTEM Center, contact Cathi Cox-Boniol at ccox@latech.edu or region8lastem@gmail.com.