Friday Camps at South Central College Increase Pipeline
South Central College is working to increase the pipeline of students pursuing science, technology, engineering, or math careers one Friday at a time. SCC’s Friday Camp offers high school students the opportunity to spend a day involved in either the Computer Integrated Machining Program or the new Mechatronics Program at the North Mankato campus.
Suzanne Nordblom, Dean of Engineering and Construction Technology at SCC, said the idea for Friday Camp came from brainstorming sessions about how to get more students interested in STEM-related programs. “Faculty routinely visited students at their schools, but we were looking to try something new. We wanted to create an experience for students on our campus where they could gain hands-on practice with some of our programs,” she said.
The Minnesota Center for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence has been involved in Friday Camp from the beginning. As the idea took shape, SCC requested and received financial support from MNCEME. Nordblom said, “MNCEME grants provide funding for project materials fees and lunch. Their support allows us to offer the Friday Camp to schools free of charge.”
Jeff Fischer, SCC Computer Integrated Machining instructor who was instrumental in getting the Friday Camp program started, works to give visiting students the best experience possible. And it seems to be working. “Students use design and fabrication software to machine a piece of aluminum. The excitement in the room during the project is palpable. It is almost like Christmas morning when the students see their piece produced,” said Fischer. In addition to the hands-on project, the Camp includes lunch with a presentation from the civil engineering faculty and a campus tour including production labs and recreation facilities.
Friday Camp is a lot more exciting than having an SCC instructor stand in front of the class and explain their program—no matter how dynamic the instructor may be. “We know the Friday Camp is effective as a recruitment tool because we have former Friday Camp attendees who are enrolled in our CIM program,” said Fischer. “These college students now help with Camp, mentoring students from their alma mater and other high schools.”
Fischer is impressed with the caliber of students who participate. “It is unbelievable how quickly they can retrain themselves and learn new software,” said Fischer. “And they ask amazingly well-thought-out questions about industry software, wages and long-term career options.”
In return, high schools seem to be impressed with Friday Camp, some visiting several times. “The response to the Camp has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Nordblom. Currently, Friday Camp is offered five or six times per semester; however, demand is growing and special requests, such as a girls-only camp, are being made. Although the program is only available with either the Computer Integrated Machining Program or the new Mechatronics Program at this time, SCC is eager to expand and include other programs.
Getting trained and qualified people into the manufacturing and engineering workforce is vital to Minnesota’s economic growth. And Friday Camp is another innovative example of how MNCEME members are working to increase the pipeline of students pursuing STEM-related careers.
