Middle and high school students got a taste of college engineering this week at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Students in the university’s week-long engineering technology camp learned about several types of engineering from Pitt-Bradford engineering technology faculty and used the facilities at the university’s new $24.5 million George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building.
Students are learning about mechanical engineering technology by exploring aspects of Computer-Aided Design (CAD). Through CAD lessons with Aaron Straus, creative engineering coordinator, they learned how to create sketches, bodies and components of a stamp assembly in AutoCAD Fusion 360, which students also produce 2d blueprints of and 3d print.
Straus also led the students through an icebreaker challenge each morning such as creating a 2-foot-tall tower out of nothing but paper and tape that can hold a small object. After clusters of students worked on their towers, Straus conducted a debrief with the teams, asking them about what inspired their designs, commenting on how they incorporated design elements such as guywires and triangles.
Each day a different guest member of the engineering faculty worked with students in their specific area. Dr. Michael Liu, assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology, talked with students about civil versus mechanical engineering and stress testing.
Campers were the first to see the university’s new wind tunnel in action as Dr. Beth Rezaie, assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology, talked with them about aerodynamics. Dr. Matt Kropf, associate professor of engineering technology, talked with students about how sensors turn on and off systems like headlights in a vehicle.
In the machine shop, students had a chance to use the university’s lathe and milling machines to learn how axles are made. On the final day, students took part in a robotics simulation, assembled 3D-printed cars and raced them.
The engineering camp was the first of four science, technology, engineering and math camps being offered for middle- and high-school aged students this summer.
Remaining camps are as follows:
To learn more about camps at Pitt-Bradford this summer or register, visit upb.pitt.edu/summer.
