The Carbon County SHINE STEM Career Academy is a 36-week course that engages students in learning about careers of the future. Over the last seven weeks, it has proved that pairing academics with hands-on projects helps middle school students learn and exceed their potential.

Over the next year, there will be nine sessions held at Carbon Career & Technical Institute in Jim Thorpe. The sessions are funded by a $630,000 Department of Transportation grant, secured by Lehigh Carbon Community College. They are made possible through the partnership of CCTI and LCCC and the SHINE afterschool program.The following is a list of upcoming sessions. For more information on the program, contact Rachel Strucko, coordinator of the Career Academy, at (570) 669-7010, ext. 1975.There are no income guidelines for this program, but space in the program is limited and students will be taken on a first come, first served basis.Summer Sessions• Camp 1: Engineering - June 18-22.• Camp 2: Culinary Arts - June 25-28.• Camp 3: Arts/Drama - July 9-12.• Camp 4: Healthy Minds/Healthy Bodies - July 16-19.Career Projects• "Build a Real Hovercraft" Sept. 17 to Oct. 25.• "Molecular Gastronomy" How food can be flavored by scientists. Nov. 5 to Dec. 14.• "Green Energy/Alternative Fuel" Jan. 7, 2013 to Feb. 21, 2013.• "Environmental Science" Feb. 25, 2013 to April 11, 2013.• "Cars of the Future" April 15 to May 16.