Front row, from left: Roger Atkins, NTMA; Karla Chandler, NTMA; Brian Flemming, Richland College; Roderick Crowder, Richland College. Back row, from left: Gail Houser, NTMA; Lisa Ellard, NTMA; Todd Ellard, NTMA; and Kory Goldammer, Richland College.

Richland College received a $15,000 grant from the National Tooling and Machining Foundation to provide the college’s annual science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) summer camp for young students.

During the three-week camp, held in June and July, middle and high school students explore fields of study including aerospace, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering; CAD/CAM manufacturing; engineering and manufacturing technology; and Web design and multimedia.

Campers also are introduced to the instructional opportunities and student services at Richland College. STEM camp culminates with a rocket launch competition beside Lake Thunderduck on campus.

Brian Fleming, Richland STEM camp director and engineering technology professor, worked closely for a year with Karla Chandler at the North Texas Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) on the grant proposal.

“We worked hard for it,” Mr. Fleming said. “We lost our original funding for the camp. This grant will make it possible for us to provide the camp for the third year.”

Mr. Fleming said that having a partner like the NTMA has been invaluable.

“I have worked with the NTMA quite a bit. They offer materials and full-semester scholarships to our college students,” he said. “They give me as much support as possible.”

Throughout the years, Richland College has cultivated strong programs in STEM fields to address industry needs and provide success for its graduates. Richland’s STEM camp has been recognized by industry leaders, earning nomination for the Metroplex Technology Business Council’s 2012 Tech Titan Award and an award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

For more information about the 2013 Richland College STEM camp, contact Mr. Fleming at 972-238-6321 or bfleming@dcccd.edu.