McKim & Creed Inspires Young Engineers Through Summer Camp STEM Days

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Pensacola Parks & Recreation partnered with McKim & Creed Engineering this summer to bring nine days of hands-on STEM education to children participating in the Play Pensacola Summer Camp program. The partnership introduced 280 campers to real-world science and engineering concepts through engaging, age-appropriate activities led by professional engineers.

McKim & Creed engineers visited three Pensacola Parks & Recreation Community Resource Centers, including Gull Point, Cobb, and Woodland Heights, where they guided campers ages 5 to 12 through interactive lessons focused on water filtration, flotation, structural engineering, and electrical circuitry.

Designed specifically for elementary-aged learners, each activity was modified to match participants’ developmental levels while encouraging curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. Campers worked in small groups alongside McKim & Creed engineers and City staff, allowing for personalized instruction and meaningful hands-on learning.

Each summer camp location participated in three consecutive days of STEM programming, giving children the opportunity to explore engineering concepts through experiments, demonstrations, and collaborative challenges.

“This partnership gave our campers the unique opportunity to learn directly from local engineering professionals,” said Tonya Byrd, Director of Pensacola Parks & Recreation. “By making STEM education fun, interactive, and accessible, we’re helping spark curiosity while introducing children to career paths they may not have considered before.”

McKim & Creed’s involvement reflects a shared commitment to investing in the next generation by connecting classroom concepts with real-world applications. Through hands-on experiences, campers gained a better understanding of how engineering plays a vital role in protecting communities, preserving the environment, providing clean water, preparing for severe weather, and powering everyday life.

“The students brought excitement and curiosity and really reminded us of how we got started in this profession,” said McKim & Creed Regional Manager Patrick Jehle. “They tested what floats, learned how water gets cleaned, discovered what stands up to a storm, and even figured out what makes a circuit come alive. But what stood out most was that they didn’t stop until they found the answer. That’s what engineering is all about. As a firm of people helping people, we’re proud to give students a glimpse of how engineers make a difference in the communities they call home.”

Pensacola Parks & Recreation continues to expand educational partnerships that enrich youth programming and provide meaningful experiences beyond traditional summer camp activities. Partnerships like this help create memorable learning opportunities while supporting the department’s mission to create community wellness and pride through people, parks, and programs.

For more information about Pensacola Parks & Recreation programs, visit PlayPensacola.com or follow @PensacolaParksandRec on Facebook.