Students Learn Entrepreneurial Skills & Applications of 3D Printing at High School Camp

If you have been following industry news, one thing that is repeatedly articulated in news headlines is the need for an educated, well

trained workforce that is prepared to meet the demands of a highly evolved, technologically charged workplace. “Right now the narrative is that most students get a four year degree, but what they lack are the skills to apply some of what they learned in school in real-world settings” said Allen Dyer. Dyer, who is a science and environmental science teacher at the School District of Hillsborough County, echoed what was outlined in a recent news article in USA Today regarding the need for almost 1.2 million technicians by 2034.

Offsetting the skills gap requires numerous strategies that are focused on building a pipeline of talented workers. One of the mechanisms that FLATE has employed over the years, and one that Dyer has been closely involved in, are the summer robotics and engineering camps for high school students. The camps are targeted to showcase real-world applications of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in high-tech manufacturing operations, and are geared to heighten students’ understanding and interest in STEM related topics.

This year’s high school engineering camp, which also marked the last week of FLATE’s summer camp season, took students on an in-depth exploration of some of the hottest technologies currently used in high-tech production environments. Dyer, who played an integral role in formulating the curriculum for this year’s high school engineering camp, stated this year’s camp was critical in “connecting the additive manufacturing/3D printing aspects and integrating it with a robotics component.” “A lot of the challenges that were presented to us were very unique” said Noah Woods. In line with the latest DIY and MakerBot trends, students were

assigned to 3D print parts for astronauts on a space mission and also 3D print parts for a robotic arm using Solidworks. Working in groups of three, students learned how to program an Arduino microprocessor to operate servo motors and used additive manufacturing processes to design a functional robotic arm that represented a prototype of a tool that could be used in space.

In addition to the technical component, this year FLATE partnered with Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs to introduce an entrepreneurial dimension to the high school camp curriculum that required students to design and manufacture a tangible product that could be marketed as well. This objective also matched ongoing efforts of some of the biggest corporate entities, like SpaceX and Made In Space, who are currently using 3D printing technology to make parts of a space engine, and/or exploring the possibility of using source material from another planet to 3D print parts for space shuttles.  Through these challenges “we were able to showcase self-reliant strategies that are not really farfetched,” and could potentially be used to offset manufacturing costs, or “market a product to companies involved in space explorations and futuristic colonization plans in space” Dyer said.

The high school engineering camp served as a practical example of how technology can be used to fund a creative idea and/or manufacture a lucrative product. “It is really different from the previous camps that I have attended” said Brandon Buchanan, a 11^th grader at Bloomingdale High School. Buchanan, who was one of the many campers who attended FLATE’s robotics camps starting at the intro level, said the camp helped him understand the whole concept of 3D printing better and also gave him a better understanding of what it takes to be an engineer.

To get a first-hand perspective on how some of these 3D printing and additive manufacturing technologies are being used in real-

world settings, students viewed an online presentation from Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. Students also toured Chromalloy Castings, a high-tech global technology company based in Tampa that heavily focused on using 3D printing in its production and/or manufacturing operations. “It is really cool to see how what we learn in the camp is being applied in real-world settings, and how you can problem solve to create new ideas and products” said Randolph Haley, 11^th grader at Wesley Chapel High School who also attended FLATE’s robotics camps starting at the intro level. Angela Cigoranelli, who was one of three girls at the camp, also loved what she saw during the industry tour. For her the tour highlighted the importance of 3D printing as an integral part of the design process—one she noted required high degree of precision and accuracy. The tour to Chromalloy also helped Noah make a strong connection with the world of manufacturing. Noah, who aspires to pursue a degree in biological engineering at MIT, or work for MakerBot, met with one of the executives at Chromalloy after the tour and has been offered an internship next summer.  

Through it all the Camp inspired students to explore their creativity and explore the possibility to design products that can be mass

produced through additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping, and marketed to establish a lucrative business venture. The camp also served as an effective medium in not only showcasing applications of STEM in manufacturing and production processes, but positioning what they created into a marketable product. Feedback following the camp showed a remarkable impact. In post-event surveys conducted by FLATE, 92.3% of surveyed students stated they are likely to take an engineering, technology, or robotics related course in school next year. The same percentage also stated programming the robot helped them understand how automated systems are programmed and controlled. Approximately, 96.2% of the surveyed students said learning how to program the robot will help while solving STEM-related problems in school. The same percentage also stated the camp helped them better understand the applications of STEM in industry.

For more information contact Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE at barger@fl-ate.org, or visit at www.fl-ate.org/projects/camps.html, and http://www.madeinflorida.org.

FLATE Mentors First Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Academy Summer Camp

FLATE and the Frank H. Peterson Academy of Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing have been partners since 2011. FLATE staff

mentored and supported teachers and administrators working on developing the new Academy programs prior to its opening. Interestingly FLATE’s 2014 Manufacturing Educator of the Year Award winner was Russ Henderlite, one of the Academy teachers who also attended FLATE’s Advanced Manufacturing Institute earlier last month.

FHP’s overall mission includes providing students with a specialized four-year program tailored to prepare them for post-secondary education and industry certifications. Program graduates will then have a clear path to rewarding careers in automation, manufacturing, or engineering technologies. The purpose of the Academy’s Applied Robotics program is “to provide students with a foundation of knowledge and technically oriented experiences in the study of the principles and applications of robotics engineering and its effect upon our lives and the choosing of an occupation.” 

This Summer marked the start of the Academy Robotics Summer Camp. FLATE mentored the development team by providing a

wealth of resources to help their effort including best practices guides, camp outlines and schedules as well as curriculum and survey templates. Thirty-six Duval middle school students attended the weeklong robotics camp, learning about technology and engineering through exciting and thought-provoking hands on activities and challenges, while at the same time having lots of fun.

The camp highlights the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts and robotics. Students are provided with many, varied opportunities to see real-life applications of the STEM concepts they are learning about in the classroom, come to life through camp hands on activities.

Frank H. Peterson’s assistant principal, Jessica Parrish designed and helped implement the camp and hopes to offer it to students on an annual basis. “When you get them in young, it gives them that spark, that idea that carries with them then through high school and into college,” Parrish said. “And then they’ll be more apt to choose these career paths.”

FLATE staff will continue providing mentoring and support for the Academy’s new after-school robotics club which kicked off at

the camp and which starts officially in the Fall. For more information, visit the Frank H. Peterson Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Academy web site. We will be bringing additional camp stories in the following months, so stay tuned. If you are interested in starting a summer robotics camp please contact us at FLATE, or contact Executive Director of FLATE, Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org.

Other related articles:

https://www.facebook.com/JAXKIDS

http://www.news4jax.com/news/robotics-camp-makes-stem-learning-fun-for-middle-schoolers/34222328 

http://news.wjct.org/term/frank-h-peterson-academies-technology

Take the Next Step: Nominate a Woman for the 2016 STEP Ahead Manufacturing Award

Over the last few months, FLATE has highlighted stories of several women in Florida who have received the STEP Ahead award for

manufacturing. The Manufacturing Institute has opened the nominations for the 2016 STEP Ahead Award. Nominations are being accepted now through October 9, 2015, and can be submitted online at https://mi.onlineapplications.net/applications.

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Production (STEP) Ahead initiative honors and promotes the role of women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research, and leadership. The STEP Ahead Awards recognize women at all levels of manufacturing, from the factory floor to the C-suite. These women exemplify the smart, safe and sustainable workforce critical to keeping U.S. manufacturing globally competitive. These awards illustrate the widespread impact women have on shaping the industry, whether they are running the company, designing the next big product, or testing innovations on the shop floor.

FLATE encourages all to submit a nomination to recognize women in manufacturing. Nominees will be selected by The Manufacturing Institute STEP Awards Review Committee based on specific contributions or technical achievements the nominee has made for her company, past experiences that have shaped her and her accomplishments in manufacturing, and her unique talents/abilities that distinguish her from her peers and commitment to her community.

For more information visit https://mi.onlineapplications.net/applications. To read stories of past STEP Ahead award recipients from Florida read the FLATE Focus newsletter http://flate-mif.blogspot.com. 

Behind-the-Scenes Campers

FLATE’s robotics camps are a major undertaking during the summer. Planning for the camps starts early and requires staff

involvement at various levels to ensure smooth operation. FLATE’s camp assistants, for example, are key players who wear many hats and work tirelessly behind the scenes.

2015 marked the first year Kiosha Weaver and Winston Figaro worked as camp assistants. Kiosha who is a sophomore pursuing a liberal arts degree at Hillsborough Community College says she was interested in working at the camp “from the moment she stepped foot on campus.” Winston Figaro’s foray at the camp started when a friend encouraged him to apply for the position. He did not have experience working with younger students, but had prior experience working in a team as he was part of the electric car club at Brandon High School.

It was a learning experience for both Kiosha and Winston.  Winston even learned about sensors, and how to build the Arduino microprocessor. As camp assistants Winston and Kiosha helped campers troubleshoot as they worked through challenges, and helped camp instructors with everyday camp logistics. “I surprisingly had a lot of fun” said Winston, who said he had never worked with robots, nor programmed one, “but here I am learning how to build a robotic arm that will be part of the high school challenge.”

 The camp made quite an impression. For Kiosha the camp rekindled her love for science and her interest in robotics that she never

got to explore earlier. Her experience at the camp also altered her opinion about programming too. “Anyone can build something, but knowing how to build and program a robot is something everyone cannot do” said Kiosha. She plans to enroll in a manufacturing related course later this Fall which she hopes will help in her career pursuits as a lawyer. For Winston, the five-week experience fired his interest in Solidworks as it gave him the ability to create something new. It also taught him key problem-solving skills which he says will help him work with different personalities and overcome obstacles as he looks to join the army as a chaplain. He is also “seriously considering” adding an engineering technology and/or manufacturing related course to his fall schedule, and hopes to work in the camp again next year.

Laura Natalia Valdez Galindo was another staff member who added to campers’ knowledge base through her interest and education in robotics and engineering. Laura who is an electrical engineering student at Universidad Santo Tomás in Colombia joined FLATE as

part of an international summer exchange program with the University of South Florida. She served as a robotics camp instructor during the intermediate camp working with campers to trouble shoot any gridlock they encountered while solving challenges.

Working at the camp was an educational process for Laura as she was taken aback by how conversant middle school students were with programming and robotics in general. She was also amazed to see high-tech manufacturing processes during the industry tour of MiTek Corporation in Tampa, and got to tour the school of engineering at USF, as well as FLATE’s high tech engineering technology lab where she got to work on the 3D printer.  Her interaction with students also helped improve her English speaking skills. “Students are lucky to be part of this program” said Laura. Upon graduation she hopes to offer similar camps for students in Colombia so they too can learn about programming and applications of robotics technology.  

To learn more about FLATE’s robotics camps, or STEM related opportunities for students and educators visit www.madeinflorida.org and www.fl-ate.org, or email Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE at barger@fl-ate.org.