The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) club at Carroll Community College was selected by the Maryland-DC Campus Compact for Excellence in Service, which recognizes college student groups that excel in impacting their community through service-learning. Carroll was the only community college among the member colleges and universities to receive an award this year.

Maryland-DC Campus Compact is a membership association of college and university presidents and their institutions that are committed to promoting engaged citizenship as an aim of higher education. The organization provides leadership in advocating, supporting, and increasing student involvement in academic and co-curricular-based public service.

The STEM club promotes interest and investigation into topics related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The club started in 2010 with seven students and has since grown to more than 150 student members.

The award is validation of the very strong partnership that exists between Carroll students and faculty," said Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. James Ball. "In the case of this award, our STEM faculty members were deservedly recognized for creating motivational learning activities that engage students both in and out of the classroom. We could not be more proud of the faculty and of our students who put so much effort into their service-learning projects."

"This award is partly based on whether the service projects involved are cost-effective and can be replicated by other college student groups," said Professor Maria Burness, chair of Mathematics and Engineering at Carroll. Burness also serves as the faculty co-advisor for the STEM club, along with Dr. Raza Khan who teaches Chemistry at Carroll.

Coordinator of Service-Learning and Internships Shawntay Stocks said that the STEM club was nominated by Carroll for the award because of its unique service-related activities, including the STEM Camp, a middle-school project called "Ready, Set, STEM", and an Earth Day project.

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