Video: Tek2Go Camp Underway For Future Manufacturers

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – At this camp, students get hands on time, with some really cool machines. It’s the first day of ICC’s Tek2Go Advanced Manufacturing Camp and participants are busy making stuff.

“I’ve been making a pen,” said Seth Clark

Seth is one of 15 students at this camp. It is geared toward 12 to 15 year olds who like to build things.

“Students that love hands on, love to know how things are made, what makes things tick , what’s involved with, take a kid who wants always to be tearing into something and tear something apart and they’re perfect for this. If they’re really good in math and science they will be really good for this,” said Barry Emison, ICC instructor.

While some students were making writing utensils and cutting away everything that doesn’t look like a pen, others were learning about computer aided manufacturing.

“We were making little plastic boxes and were designing it I put my name on it a little music note,” said Kayla Little.

Kayla would one day like to help build bridges in the National Guard. She says the Tek2 Go camp helps her see how swiftly things can be made and how machines operate. Organizers say the camp puts to rest a lot of stereotypes about manufacturing.

“We want them to lose the stigma they currently may have about manufacturing that it’s dark, dreary and hard work and we want them to see manufacturing can be fun,” Emison said.

These math and science whiz kids will go off campus throughout the week . They will visit several area industries and see first hand how their interest in manufacturing and engineering can be put to use in the workforce.