Aug. 21, 2025

This summer, SoCalGas partnered with the University of Southern California’s Viterbi K-12 STEM Center to host the annual Energy of STEM Summer Camp, a free, weeklong experience designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.

Now in its seventh year, the 2025 camp welcomed more than 100 students in grades three through 12 to the USC campus for hands-on exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math. With 54 SoCalGas employees volunteering their time and expertise, students participated in workshops and lessons that brought STEM concepts to life.

Siari Sosa, a technology development manager at SoCalGas, was among the volunteers who helped make the program possible. Originally from Venezuela, she earned her master’s and doctorate at USC with support from mentors and a Department of Energy research assistantship. Her journey continues to inspire her commitment to giving back.

“I’ve always felt a responsibility to pay it forward,” Sosa said. “It’s hard to pursue a dream you can’t see. I want to be the person who helps plant the seed, that shows students this path is for them too.”

There were five engaging workshops led by SoCalGas employees and USC engineering students, each centered around a unique theme: Green Energy, Mechanics and Energy Transfer, Forensics, Electronics, and Coding. These workshops are designed to spark curiosity and build STEM skills. A camp favorite was the rocket launch, where students designed and built their own rockets, then tested them outdoors to see how far and high they could fly.

“Watching that spark light up when a student builds a circuit or runs their first program, that moment when they realize they can do it — that’s everything,” Sosa said. “The goal is confidence.”

For many students, believing in themselves is often the first and most difficult step.

“STEM is hard. And when you don’t grow up surrounded by science and engineering, it’s even harder to picture yourself in those careers,” Sosa said. “But when someone believes in you — whether it’s a teacher or a volunteer — that can change everything.”

By supporting programs like the Energy of STEM Summer Camp, SoCalGas aims to foster early interest in STEM careers, particularly among students from underserved communities.

Since its inception in 2019, the camp has impacted hundreds of students across Southern California, providing tools, mentorship and inspiration to pursue their passions in STEM fields.

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