During the summer, Middlesex Community College offered an Engineering/Computer Aided Design course through their College for Teens program. Students explored the engineering field and gained experience in a potential future academic or career interest.
“I enrolled because I wanted to learn how to use SOLIDWORKS, since I had only done CAD using Onshape before,” said D. Danson, an MCC College for Teens student from Lowell. “I learned how to navigate SOLIDWORKS, create and fully define sketches, build various 3D objects out of those sketches, and make keyboard shortcuts. MCC’s course gave me experience with a more widely used CAD program.”
The College for Teens Engineering/CAD course offered high school students an opportunity to become familiar with the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field. MCC engineering professor Angel Escalona taught the course in six sessions on MCC’s Bedford campus June 3-12.
“These kinds of courses contain short sessions and topics related to engineering,” Escalona said. “Companies are desperate for people with knowledge on 3D modeling. The course exposes students to a high-demand industry that is looking for people with the knowledge and skills they will learn.”
During the course, students learned and experimented with tools and software programs such as 3D printers, hands-on print circuit board layout, and SOLIDWORKS. In addition, they gained skills and values that will assist them in pursuing work in engineering through lectures and interactive exercises.
“The students were able to learn fast,” Escalona said. “They were good at understanding the content and learned the software without much issue which made the teaching process easier. It was interesting to see how focused they were on the topics.”
To finish the course, students were given a final assessment. Once they successful completed the program, they received one credit for IDS135 – STEM Career Exploration at MCC.
“Companies are desperate for people with knowledge on 3D modeling,” he said. “They are expecting engineers to know the software. This gives people familiar with it an advantage compared to those who are not.”
Run by MCC’s Community Education and Training division, College for Teens helps high school students build skills, values, and life goals that boost their confidence. As they learn and engage with their peers, they create positive habits and find their personal strengths. The program offers courses in different areas of study on-campus and online.
“MCC’s College for Teens program guides high school students through their academic and professional journey,” said Dean of Workforce Education Audrey Nahabedian. “With the learning opportunities offered, students can jumpstart their college experience and discover several career paths at an affordable cost.”
Classes in fall 2024 include Medical Laboratory Tech Career Exploration, The Art of Presentation: Speaking with Confidence, Algebra l Review, and Algebra ll Review. For more information, visit middlesex.mass.edu/collegeforkids/cfteens.aspx.