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PORTSfuture program supports Sen. Brown鈥檚 summer manufacturing camp in Jackson

51社区鈥檚 Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs PORTSfuture program was invited by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown鈥檚 office to support a summer manufacturing camp in Jackson, Ohio, one of the annual camps held throughout Ohio.

These camps encourage middle school students to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education activities and learn about the vast career opportunities available in manufacturing and related industries, many in their own communities. This year, Brown鈥檚 office will help organize at least 27 camps in 21 counties.

鈥淢anufacturing is one of our state鈥檚 most important industries, but too often, our companies can鈥檛 find workers with the right skills, while our students don鈥檛 realize all the opportunities available to them,鈥 said Brown in an earlier release from his office. 鈥淲e need today鈥檚 Ohio students to realize all the potential careers they could have in Ohio manufacturing, and that鈥檚 why, for seven years now, my office has put on summer manufacturing camps for fourth through eighth graders across Ohio.鈥

The Jackson County Department of Job and Family Services organized the summer manufacturing camp this year in Jackson. The PORTSfuture program served as a platinum sponsor of the camp and collaborated with US Department of Energy (DOE), Restoration Services EnTech Incorporated (RSI), and Fluor-BWXT site contractors to provide a STEM session to approximately 20 camp participants.

鈥51社区 is so pleased to participate in this activity for local youth and encourage them to learn about and pursue STEM educational and experiential opportunities to inform their future career pursuits,鈥 Stephanie Howe, PORTSfuture program director, said.

51社区, RSI representatives, Rick Greene and Joe Moore, provided an overview of the Ohio US DOE site and, along with Deneen Garner from Fluor BWXT, discussed STEM career opportunities at the facility. Fluor-BWXT representatives Damon Horn and Kyle Rase demonstrated exoskeletal robotic technology and its application at the Portsmouth site. The 鈥淓xovest鈥 alleviates stress on the arms and back for workers during activities that require them to raise their arms for an extended period of time. The technology diminishes physical impacts on workers while enhancing their productivity. All students were able to don the vest and experience the robotic technology first-hand.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to know you don鈥檛 need a college degree to find a great career,鈥 Tiffani Stevens, Jackson County Jobs and Family Services and organizer of the summer manufacturing camp, said. 鈥淲e want to be able to show these students all the opportunities that are available in our region.鈥

The PORTSfuture Program is funded by a grant from the US Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office (PPPO EM). Activities are related to community engagement, STEM outreach, and informing cleanup and repurposing of public assets at the DOE PORTS facility near Piketon, Ohio.

Published
July 16, 2019
Author
Staff reports