Manufacturing Mini-camp for kids offered at SkillsUSA TECHSPO on June 20

Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs® (NBT), the Foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl.® (FMA), Elgin, Ill., is offering a Manufacturing Mini-camp for students ages 12 to 16 on June 20, 2017, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. The camp is being held as part of the SkillsUSA TECHSPO that will co-locate with the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.

Tens of thousands of high school and college students participate in the SkillsUSA program each year. This camp will provide an opportunity for middle school students to experience the excitement of the skills competitions and to have their own personal, hands-on encounter with manufacturing technology and careers. They will also learn how the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills they are developing in school translate to manufacturing careers.

“Because this is a new program format for us and represents the first time we have offered a camp in a facility other than a college setting, we wanted to ensure that the student experience would be a meaningful one,” said Ed Youdell, president/CEO of FMA and NBT. “We’ve been able to establish a partnership with Haas Factory Outlets and the Sullivan College of Design & Technology, as well as support from companies like Grainger and SolidWorks. In addition, we are bringing experienced instructors from some of the longest running NBT camps to the Louisville program.”

A limited number of seats are available in this camp because of the hands-on nature of the activities, so advance registration of $20 per participant is required. The registration deadline has been extended to June 5. Teachers, parents, and students can find program details and online registration at nbtfoundation.org/kyminicamp. For additional information or questions, call 815-227-8286 or 815-227-8208.