SALINAS VALLEY — For the first time, all four comprehensive high schools serving South Monterey County students are partnering to provide coordinated access to summer STEM learning opportunities through Hartnell College’s Summer Technology Camps.
A total of 70 students from Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City high schools will participate in specialized summer camps focused on nano programming, cybersecurity and drone technology. Participating students will also receive stipends ranging from $50 to $400 based on program participation and completion.
While Hartnell College has offered summer technology camps for several years, this marks the first time that all South County high schools have collaborated to provide transportation and coordinated student recruitment efforts, significantly expanding access for rural students who might otherwise face barriers to participation.
The initiative is made possible through funding from Reboot Representation Tech Coalition, a fiscally sponsored project of NEO Philanthropy, which awarded funds to the Hartnell College Foundation to support student participation in high-demand technology fields.
The camps are designed to introduce students to careers in computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies while building technical skills that align with regional workforce needs.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of the program is the strong participation of female students. While the camps are open to all students, the majority of participants enrolled this summer are young women, supporting ongoing efforts to increase female representation in STEM fields where women continue to be underrepresented nationwide.
“This funding opportunity demonstrates the power of regional collaboration,” said Ashley Selck, Northern Central Coast K-16 collaborative coordinator with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. “By working together across districts and educational partners, we are strengthening the efforts of our K-16 grantees to increase student participation and pathways into engineering, mechatronics and agricultural technology. These experiences provide students with early exposure to high-demand careers while helping build a stronger talent pipeline for our region.”
The summer camps also support the goals of the Central Coast K-16 Regional Collaborative, which seeks to increase equitable access to education and career pathways in high-growth industries.
“We are grateful to Reboot Representation Tech Coalition, NEO Philanthropy and Hartnell College for making this opportunity possible,” said John Leopold, Central Coast K-16 Regional Collaborative director. “This partnership demonstrates what can happen when educational institutions and community organizations work together to ensure students have the skills to compete successfully for the emerging jobs in our region.”
Gonzales and Soledad students will attend camps at Hartnell’s Soledad Education Center, while students from Greenfield and King City will attend programs at the college’s King City Education Center.
By removing transportation barriers, providing financial incentives and creating direct connections to college-based STEM learning, the program represents a significant investment in the future workforce of South Monterey County and serves as a model for regional collaboration in expanding educational opportunities for rural students.
