Visiting a Fab Lab, using a laser cutter, and other science activities introduces middle school girls to manufacturing careers at an Elyria STEAM camp.
Several Lorain County middle school girls are getting a glimpse into their futures.
Lorain County Community College, 1005 N. Abbe Road in Elyria, is hosting a camp from July 9-13 for the girls to show them the job opportunities that will be available to them.
The camp, titled “Rosie’s Girls Summer Camp,” is a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) camp for students going into sixth to eighth grades.
“The camp is a week-long camp that focuses on helping girls form their self-image,” said Joan Perch, program coordinator with Campana Center for Ideation and Invention at LCCC. “For middle school girls, this is a time when they are figuring out who they are and what they want to do with their lives.
“The goal of the camp is to broaden that range of possibilities for them by showing the opportunities available for women in manufacturing.”
Perch said the camp will focus on empowering women.
“We give these girls the tools and show them how to use them,” she said. “That includes the laser cutter, a computer numerical control router and hand tools such as a hammer, screwdriver and tape measure.
“They may not even think of jobs that require these skills. It’s about showing them what they can do.”
Alecia Gorski, camp instructor for Campana STEAM Maker Camps, said the girls will have different projects throughout the week.
“Today (July 9), they will be making name tags using the laser cutter,” Gorski said. “We will then have them cut out a wood butterfly using the computer numerical control router. They will also be making birdhouses to take home.
“This is the second year of the camp and the girls really enjoy it.”
Aury Hennessee, 12, from Lorain, said the camp is a fun time.
“This the second year I have been here,” Aury said. “It is fun to learn about this stuff.
“It is important to learn about these skills. I don’t know if I want to pursue a career in manufacturing, but I love this camp and feel these skills should be learned regardless.”
Destiny Perkins, 11, of Lorain, said she loves to build stuff.
