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Passing along manufacturing skills focus of two camps in Jackson
Monday April 20, 2009
By Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Two weeklong camps this summer aim to instill the importance of science, engineering and manufacturing in local students.
At the third annual Machining U day camp, students will learn about and work on projects and tour local manufacturing facilities.
“These skills aren’t being duplicated. We need to carry it out,” said Susan Soltis, training coordinator for The Academy for Manufacturing Careers. “The younger generation needs to know how to do this.”
At the Gateway Academy, students will focus on engineering and science skills. “It uses more technology as opposed to manufacturing,” she said.
The camps are sponsored by the academy, along with the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association and the Jackson County Intermediate School District. Gateway is also being put on by The Enterprise Group and AT&T.
The academy’s camp will take place June 22-26 at Camp McGregor on Crispell Lake and is for seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade students. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, and lunch and snacks are provided. At the academy, students will learn how certain items are made and will work on wind and solar projects. Soltis said the goal is to encourage students to take an interest in science and engineering and to prepare them to take such classes in high school and college. The cost is $85 per person.
Machining U is set for July 27-31 and is open to students ages 12 to 14. It runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Previous participants have learned to weld and conduct precision machining, which has assisted them in making toolboxes, bottle openers and hammers. The students are then able to take their projects home. They learn how to use the equipment, how to create something from a small piece of material and how safety is relevant, she said. This year, students will make simple machinist jacks and a leveler, Soltis said.
“It’s all hands-on creativity,” Soltis said.
The camp also includes lunch, snacks and tours of three area manufacturing facilities. Cost is $75 for new participants; cost for graduates of the I Can Make It! camp is $50. Space is limited to 20 campers.
For more information about either camp, contact Soltis at 782-8268, ext. 101.