Supporting the Stimulating STEM Summer Program at USC

At Capital One, we recognize the need to invest in building a dynamic technology workforce for the future, both in the immediate term and for the long term, including a focus on STEM education.

This summer, we proudly supported the Stimulating STEM Summer Program (SSSP) at the University of Southern California’s Information Science Institute. This free, 4-week program is designed to promote an interest in STEM among underrepresented students. In SSSP, students are exposed to robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, space engineering and more through daily instruction, workshops, seminars, summer activities, mentorship and tours.

The Stimulating STEM program focuses on teaching students STEM skills, professional development and personal development. It is critical to the success of the program that the summer curriculum includes all three of these components to ensure the students are set up for future success. 

Jamani King, SSSP program director, expanded on the success of this summer's cohort: 

"This summer was incredibly special because it was the first year the vision for the program came to life. It’s incredible to see how the program has evolved within just a year."

King added that the program helps create opportunities for students to learn more about themselves and about the possibilities for their future. 

Here’s what students had to say about their experiences in SSSP this summer:

• “If I had the capacity and time I would write a whole essay about how much this program means to me and the experience there. The most specific thing I would like to note is the people, from the fellow students to the chaperones. They made this experience so much better and I felt as if I was in a family. The teachers were very passionate, understanding, and great examples to us who wish to pursue something greater.” 
• “Stimulating STEM was one of the most fun and engaging summer programs I have participated in. The teachers and staff were kind and always assisted us if we needed help. We were also given many helpful resources to be able to continue our education in STEM. We also were given helpful tips on how to improve our character and our mental health.”
• “I really enjoyed interacting with people as many of them had similar interests as me. All of the other kids were kind and I really enjoyed getting to learn and grow together. I also really appreciated the mentoring sessions that we had every week. Being able to have one-on-one support really showed me just how important it is to ask for and openly receive help when I really needed it.” 

One of the Robotics instructors, Jaxson, PhD Student within the Space Engineering Research Center, remarks on the students’ focus:

"Students learned and practiced many of the core principles of robotics, from basic circuit design and analysis, to microcontroller programming, to digital logic, and to hardware assembly. And of course, most of all, they learned that nothing works on their first try and that troubleshooting skills are omnipresent and essential! 

The students put all of these skills to use as they built, wired and programmed a robot to navigate through obstacle courses and to follow lines on the ground via an onboard light sensor. They were encouraged to come up with creative applications of robotics to improve their daily lives and were shown real potential applications of their work with a tour of the Space Engineering Research Center at USC ISI.

It is incredible to see the impact Stimulating STEM has had on the participating students."

New to tech at Capital One? 

• Learn more about how Capital One is partnering with the University of Southern California to advance the future of AI. 

• See how we're advancing the state of the art in AI for financial services.

• Read more from our technologists on our tech blog.