Middle and high school age students experienced STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) hands-on during the Engineering Summer Institute at Anderson University.
The Engineering Summer Institute, conducted by the Anderson University College of Engineering, is funded in part by the Bosch Community Fund, the corporate foundation for Bosch in North America. The Engineering Summer Institute was directed by Dr. Olukayode Karunwi, along with former Interim Dean of the Anderson University College of Engineering Dr. Gilbert Eyabi, new Dean of the College of Engineering Dr. Lisa Zidek, Ann Stoddard, and College of Engineering faculty members Dr. Stephen Ojo, Dr. Kyle Locke and Dr. Chad Rodekohr.
During the week of July 10-14, middle and high school students were exposed to aspects of engineering that include mathematics specific to the field, MATLAB software applications and interactive hands-on engineering experiments. At the same time, they learned about the fast-growing engineering job market where professionals are very much in demand and are paid well. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs in STEM continue to outpace the available supply of qualified talent.
The Engineering Summer Institute teaches students valuable soft skills experience as they collaborate with one another in teams and present their ideas to an audience. A total of 32 campers learned engineering hands-on while interacting with Anderson University College of Engineering faculty and engineering professionals who are currently working in the field.
The Engineering Summer Institute exposed students to engineering disciplines that included computer engineering, electrical engineering, general engineering and mechanical engineering. The camp also offered fun social and recreational opportunities and a chance to sample college life. There were also tours of facilities at Bosch, Arthrex and Dodge Mechanical, where students could see the cutting-edge technology used by these top global manufacturers in their Upstate South Carolina plants.
The students learned about drone technology on the Anderson University Athletic Campus and tested flying skills in a drone competition. They also analyzed the impact of heat and water levels on plants using imagery captured by infrared cameras at Rocky River Nature Park, located on the edge of the Anderson University campus.
In a session about crash safety engineering, students took what they learned and formed teams to create safe enclosures for their passenger, an egg. The integrity of their designs was put to the test by catapulting them into the air with a trebuchet the students built. Awards were handed out to the team that designed a safe enclosure for their passenger and weighed the least. There was also an award for the team that had the most creative and safe design.
The Engineering Summer Institute concluded with final presentations of projects and an awards ceremony.
The Anderson University College of Engineering
A defining trait for the Anderson University College of Engineering is its distinctiveness in providing a comprehensive engineering education that combines a liberal arts tradition within a Christian worldview. Students of the College experience the integration of faith and learning as the principles of engineering are taught within a Christian worldview. Details about the Anderson University College of Engineering can be found online.