Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) visited fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade girls as they began a five-day, summer manufacturing camp in Youngstown that Brown’s office helped organize.
“Last year, most of the camps had to take a hiatus because of the pandemic – but in the Mahoning Valley, leaders got creative and worked to put together virtual camps,” said Brown. “This year, I’m excited for us all to be back in person. Today’s Ohio factories are innovative and high-tech. That’s what these campers are seeing.”
The Youngstown camp Brown visited today is only for girls in an effort to empower them to eliminate the gender gap in the science and technology fields, and spark an interest in electronics and engineering.
“Our ultimate goal is to give these girls get an idea of what microelectronics is, and to spark their interest in the fields of engineering and electronics,” said Ralf Urbach, Director of Education and Outreach for OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology. “It always neat to watch these young ladies do things that are sort of out of their comfort zones and help them develop their problem-solving skills.”
Brown’s office started organizing summer manufacturing camps in 2013 in Youngstown, and since then, his office has helped organize 99 camps in 28 counties.
All of the summer manufacturing camps give students a unique opportunity to learn about careers in their communities, tour local manufacturing facilities, and learn from experts. Students get to learn how products are made, participate in team-building exercises, and work on a project specific to their community.
This opportunity gives local students the chance to learn about careers in their communities, tour local manufacturing facilities, and learn from experts. Students learn how products are made, participate in team-building exercises, and work on a project specific to their community.
Community partners include Toledo Public Schools, The University of Toledo, Lucas County Department of Planning and Development, Rudolph Libbe Inc, Detroit Manufacturing Systems, Hirzel Canning Co, Toledo My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership, UAW Local 12 and Ohio College Tech Prep. The theme of this week’s camp is Manufacturing and Design Experience (MADE).
Most camps are open to boys and girls. The ages or grades for each camp are determined by local organizers.
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