Engaging in the Engineering Community at Maker Camp
By: Honor Tamminga
Photographed by: Natascha Lambing
In July, the George Fox University (GFU) College of Engineering hosted 24 high school students from the Newberg area to participate in Maker Camp for a week of fun and hands-on engineering activities.
From morning devotionals to campus-wide icebreakers to designing dice, these high school students were able to explore the field of engineering in an engaging and encouraging atmosphere.
Todd Curtis, associate professor of physics, has been directly involved in the creation of Maker Camp and its planning and execution.“Ever since the Maker Hub was built, we’ve talked about how [we can] utilize this space in different and unique ways,” Curtis said.
Those attending Maker Camp for the week were able to use GFU’s facility to design and create items they were able to take home. The materials and machines the high school students had access to in the Maker Hub created a unique opportunity that not many high school students get to enjoy prior to attending university.
Photographed by Natascha Lambing.
Emily Hayes, a junior biomedical engineering student and camp leader, says that when she came to George Fox, she had barely touched a 3D printer or laser cutter. Many of the students that came to Maker Camp were in the same position. Almost half of the students in attendance had little to no engineering experience, and only three had extensive experience. However, following the five days at Maker Camp, each had learned important skills from both engineering professionals and current GFU students.
It wasn’t just the technological resources the university provided in the Maker Hub that made an impact. The high school students who were a part of this program were exposed to the “Be Known” atmosphere GFU promises its students. They were mentored by current engineering students and mentored by engineering professionals who take their faith into the workplace.
The GFU students who led the Maker Camp also partook in the learning that happened. Hayes, who did a great deal of the planning and executing of the event, says she was able to build much deeper relationships with other students in the engineering program that she would not have been able to otherwise. It gave the engineering students opportunities to develop as leaders and teachers.
As the GFU Engineering Program looks ahead, the faculty and students involved are excited to explore future opportunities for community outreach. The Maker Camp this last year was the first annual event of its kind, and Curtis and the student mentors are already starting to plan for next year. Curtis hopes for an overnight camp in addition to the day camp and, perhaps, additional camps for developing other skills.
It is important to all those involved that the resources here at George Fox are utilized well, especially by those who may not have easy access to such resources. This year’s Maker Camp allowed the GFU Engineering Program to share these resources and serve through student leadership with a commitment to the surrounding community.