Quinebaug Valley Community College has partnered with the Killingly Parks and Recreation Department (KPRD) to offer an interactive four-week day camp for local students in grades 5-8. Every Wednesday, students visit QVCC’s Danielson campus to participate in a variety of ongoing activities, including interactive classes like Manufacturing Experience, taught by Jodi Clark, Assistant Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center, and Rapid Prototyping, taught by Jakob Spjut, Professor of Engineering Science.
CT Army Veteran and QVCC Alum Charles Baird ’18 is helping Professor Spjut with his Rapid Prototyping class. Baird graduated from QVCC in 2018 with dual degrees in Engineering Science and Biomolecular Science. He is currently attending Columbia University where he is pursuing a degree in Data Science. “I come back to QVCC any chance I get to help students and participate in STEM camp. I like to teach and encourage students to have the same passion and opportunities for engineering that I had,” commented Baird. Current student Emily Rosaci is also giving back by helping with Spjut’s class. Rosaci studies Mathematics and is a member of QVCC’s Robotics Club.
In addition to the Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Experience classes, students also participate in nature walks with Mark Szantyr, Professor of Fine Arts, and arts and crafts activities like tie-dying and origami with other QVCC staff members. The camp will continue weekly until Wednesday, August 7.