WOTM Manufacturing Camp Day 1

July 28th, 2008 at 08:51pm Teresa Beach-Shelow

All the preparations are done—Techworks looks as good as ever! Judy has bought snacks for the week—but the way they eat she may be back to the store by Wednesday! Ed and Gordie have the class planned, all the hand outs ready, and supplies bought. Teresa has lunch and learn speakers all set. Barb and Courtney have the kids all signed up and signed in. Lunch providers are ready to bring lunch…8 AM…students going into 8th, 9th and 10th grade show up very quiet…excited parents and grandparents drop them off. The adults look around and often share their connection with manufacturing. Proud and excited their students are about to be exposed to something well, life-changing. Students just sit quietly not knowing exactly what they are in for. One student asked if they would be outside—-after all this is camp—that is often outside.
Teresa welcomes the 15 students. Students have been driven from Grand Detour, Oregon, Durand, and the Chicago Suburbs to attend. She explains that this is the 6th year for WTOM Manufacturing Camp, why WOTM does this —to expose young people to Manufacturing, why it is important to go to school, finish school and plan to take classes that will make them more able to move into education and jobs where they can buy houses, have families, and or buy electronic items that might interest them….everyone smiles….big smiles. Ed and Gordie give a tour, show a shop safety video, students gobble up snacks, next he teaches measurement and the use of decimals—Ed does a great job explaining what some people graduate from High School and never understand—-these kids are already on their way to being the head of their class! Next comes how to use calipers, micrometers, and understand blueprints…ready for lunch and learn…15 Pizza’s, provided by Carl and Melba Bradberry at S & B Jig Grinding, arrive hot and ready to eat. The Winnovation Robotics team is our guest speaker. They bring their 2008 robot. No one speaks during the entire presentation. The passion of the Winnovation team excites all of the students and adults watching. We are off to a great week……

Entry Filed under: Education & Training