DURHAM, N.H. – Thanks to a grant from BAE Systems and the commitment of seven of the company’s engineers, 14 New Hampshire students had the opportunity to build a driverless remote-control car through the BAE Systems Summer STEM Scholars, a new initiative within Tech Camp at the University of New Hampshire, a set of day and residential summer programs for students entering grades six through 12 designed to increase STEM literacy.

The students, all entering the 11^th or 12^th grade from the Nashua and Manchester areas, learned important problem-solving skills and how science and math are applied in real life engineering projects. They also learned important information about the college process and available careers for those studying in the STEM fields. 

As part of the program, seven engineers from BAE Systems were on hand to instruct and mentor the students through successful completion of building and programming an autonomous remote-control car. Each student will keep the car they built and programmed. In addition, campers toured the BAE Systems Electronic Systems headquarters facility in Nashua. Participating engineers were: Adam Connolly ’16, Oliver Holt ‘73, ‘74G, Steven Kazakis ’17, Molly McGuire, Melissa Odom, Jonathan Trossbach and Matthew Wolf.

The Tech Leaders session featured both a camper-selected engineering project and leadership and entrepreneurship activities for students considering careers in STEM. The campers participated in workshops on entrepreneurship, research skills, resume writing, interviewing skills, public speaking, and college admissions essay writing.

“I never thought I would be here, in a place where people are talking to me about possibilities I never dreamed could exist and telling me that I am capable of being part of something so much bigger,” said Angela Fuentes, a BAE Systems Summer STEM Scholar from Nashua South High School.

UNH is committed to strengthening the STEM pipeline. Founded in 2006, UNH Tech Camp provides children in grades 6­-12 the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering and math using the significant resources of a public research university.

BAE Systems provides some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defense, aerospace, and security solutions. The company employs a skilled workforce of 83,100 people in more than 30 countries. Working with customers and local partners, BAE Systems develops, engineers, manufactures, and supports products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and people, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.