Weld-Ed (National Center for Welding Education and Training) at Lorain County Community College has concluded the Rosie’s Girls Summer Program for middle school girls. During this two-week camp the girls engaged in various trades activities, using their creativity, gaining new skills, and challenging themselves to try different activities that most young women never get a chance to experience.
The twenty-three girls, ages 11-13, designed and welded their own copper sculptures, learned yoga, art, and had an experience first-hand with fire fighters. In addition, the girls had hands on activity in many other trades such as Electronics, CAD, Computer Hardware, Computer Graphics, etc.
Campers had an opportunity to play with the Virtual Simulator brought by Edison Welding Institution at Columbus. They also took an amazing field trip to Lincoln Electric in Euclid, and learned about the advancement of technology in the field of welding. All through the camp, various professionals were invited as guest speakers from Society of Women Engineers to give first hand information about industry to the campers.
This day camp environment was provided where girls felt safe and challenged to develop and strengthen their capacities and confidence while exposing them to a range of educational and career opportunities they may have never considered.
Weld-Ed is encouraging girls in early adolescence by giving exposure to this exciting field and the possibilities of interesting careers. More girls will continue to learn math and science and will choose welding related studies when they go to college.
At the end of the camp, the campers came up with an arch (community project) that was installed at the Butterfly Garden in Engineering Technologies Division. To learn more, visit Weld-Ed.