July 11, 2024 -- Rising sixth grader Souleymane Niang has always enjoyed building things, so when the opportunity arose to construct paper airplanes at The Ohio State University College of Engineering, he eagerly embraced it.
However, this wasn't just a simple paper airplane project. Every time students were asked to make a new plane, the experience simulated real-life engineering challenges, such as companies shutting down and supply restrictions. Those changes for the paper airplane exercise included removing materials such as sticky notes, paper clips, and even paper.
“It really made us think and taught us how engineering works in the real world,” Niang said.
Niang’s paper plane project was part of the Summer Youth Manufacturing Camp held at Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys from June 24 to June 28. Partnering with My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), a program by the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods dedicated to creating opportunities for boys and young men of color, the school hosted 24 students from around the city, introducing middle school students to manufacturing careers.
The inaugural manufacturing camp came to fruition after MBK’s program manager, Ray Parnell, attended Sen. Sherrod Brown’s Summer Manufacturing Camp Summit in February at Ohio University’s Dublin campus. There, he learned that rural areas often held manufacturing camps for their youth and wanted to give urban students the same opportunity.
“We wanted to bring this to a metropolitan city and, more importantly, provide opportunities for boys of color,” Parnell said, noting that the program was also open to girls. “We wanted to inspire and introduce these students to these jobs, and we want them to feel like they’re capable of obtaining the jobs that they’ve seen throughout the camp.”
Working with The PAST (Partnering Anthropology, Science, and Technology) Foundation, students participated in hands-on activities and engaged directly with local manufacturers. Throughout the week, they learned the fundamentals of design and architecture and used 3D printers to create objects such as sports logos and stadium equipment.
Camp participants also visited Bath and Body Works’ headquarters in New Albany and The Ohio State University College of Engineering’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence. Parnell said the field trips exposed high-paying careers that may not have otherwise been considered.
Ryan Petitti, the center's director of operations, led the paper plane activity. With a degree in mechanical engineering and a background as an application and combustion engineer, Petitti aimed to demonstrate the engineering field's ever-changing nature.
“The hope is that they learn that engineering, manufacturing, and STEM are not static fields,” Petitti said. “They are always evolving, with different circumstances and continuous growth.”
Dr. Michael Warren, principal of Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys, deemed the week a success, highlighting that the students learned skills extending beyond manufacturing and engineering - essential life skills such as persistence and critical thinking that they can take beyond the classroom.
“It’s been great watching them learn about risk and failure and teaching them to think outside the box,” Dr. Warren said. “It’s been fun seeing them have experiences that go beyond the norm.”
