Engineering Summer Camp at Sonoma State University 2019
This summer, the engineering department at Sonoma State University launched its first Engineering Summer Camp. A total of 28 students, ranging from sophomores to seniors, from local schools in Sonoma County participated in the camp. The purpose of this hands-on program was to introduce the students to engineering design, innovation, analysis, planning, teamwork and communication skills in a fun and creative environment. Throughout each one-week-long session, the students created exciting projects, including Bluetooth enabled robotic car, light tracking system, electronic games and much more. They also created their first working smartphone application using AppInventor. For majority of the students, this was their first experience with electrical circuits and Arduino programming. During the camp the students also had the opportunity to attended SSU’s Makerspace and create their own personal logo using 3D printers.
Some of the students were amazed at what they had accomplished! In the final class survey one student wrote: "The camp has been an amazing experience. Building and programming the car on my own with clear precise instructions was awesome."
The funding for this program was provided by Keysight Technologies, Inc., a long-time supporter of the engineering program at Sonoma State University.
"It was great to see students' enthusiasm in playing with hardware, sensors and coding, and to hear how that experience is reinforcing their interests in pursuing STEM careers," Said Sudhir Shrestha, a senior faculty at the engineering department at Sonoma State university.
"This year's Engineering Summer Camp enabled us to promote engineering education and reach out to our rising local students. We want to keep these students local beyond their high school years and to do this we should present Sonoma State University as a strong academic alternative," emphasized Farid Farahmand, chair of the engineering department.
Engineering education has always been an important driver of technological innovation and critical to successful industrial innovation.
As the industry leaders in Sonoma County explore the creation of more manufacturing opportunities and the need to bring more high-tech jobs to the community, the role of the engineering education becomes more imperative.
Sonoma State University is committed to expand its outreach programs to attract more local students to its engineering program. By encouraging more students to consider studying different fields of engineering and computer science, we can build a greater pool of locally trained high-tech professionals that tend to stay in the community and contribute to its economy.
"The current partnership between Keysight Technologies and Sonoma State University is a prime example of how the local high-tech industry and universities can work together to create stronger career pathways for diverse group of students to high-demand local employment. In return, these new professionals can contribute their skills, knowledge and talents to the local community and its economy," acknowledged Hamish Gray, Senior Vice President at Keysight Technologies, Inc.