An Innovative ECAMP™ Experience: Quotes from Inside the Classroom

Creative and in-demand advanced manufacturing careers are making a comeback in Connecticut, and the hope is that the cutting-edge field will soon inspire the up-and-coming innovators of the Nutmeg State.

To help Connecticut increase its prospects for producers, Goodwin University is doing its part to train the manufacturers of tomorrow. Since 2019, Goodwin has invited students from neighboring towns to enroll in the Early College Advanced Manufacturing Pathway (ECAMP™) program.

Goodwin’s ECAMP™ program is conducted in a 15,000-square-foot training facility equipped with state-of-the-art machinery ready for students to study. Once registered, while attending middle or high school, ECAMP™ learners can obtain college-level credits and the skills needed to become gainfully employed in the manufacturing sector.

“We have been able to forge relationships with partner school districts to offer STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Math) curriculum that is exciting for all students,” Program Director Matt Dadona detailed.

“Through the ECAMP™ courses, middle and high school students are exposed to technical skills including the engineering design process, computer science, robotics, and advanced manufacturing — energizing scholars about the opportunities that exist within the field.”

Testimonials from technology-driven teens

“I am in high school, and attending ECAMP™ at the same time is manageable. ECAMP™ instructors are nice and willing to help you anytime. 

The high school annex is a cool workshop. There are many different machines like CNC milling, CNC lathe, band saw, and more. My favorite was the CNC milling machine because that was the first machine I used, and I engraved my initials on a three-by-three aluminum block.  

For my Capstone project, I designed a door handle adapter that lets users open a door with their forearm instead of their hand to limit the spread of COVID-19. 

My plan after high school is to go to college and obtain a degree in advanced manufacturing. I want to become an engineer, and I am excited to make important parts for airplanes. 

To students who are thinking about attending ECAMP™ — do it, even if you are unsure. I was not 100% sure I wanted to learn more about advanced manufacturing, but I realized I wanted to pursue an advanced manufacturing career after starting the program. Take this opportunity and explore!”

 — Saw Myint Tun, ECAMP™ student 

“Before the ECAMP™ program, I didn’t exactly know what I wanted to major in or do for a career. I decided to give ECAMP™ a try to open my eyes, explore advanced manufacturing, and expand my horizons to see what else is out there.

The ECAMP™ professors are very helpful and cooperate with you. One of the professors starts the morning with brain teasers to wake us up, and the hypothetical situations connect to lean manufacturing principles.

For my Capstone project, my group and I came up with a universal device to put on the bottom of doors to minimize hand-touches with contaminated doorknobs. The device was a platform with traction that people could use with their feet to move a door to decrease the possibility of contact with COVID-19. 

With ECAMP™, I’m getting college credits while being trained for the advanced manufacturing workforce. It’s exciting being hands-on in the CAD lab and using the machines for metrology.

If you’re looking to get into advanced manufacturing or hoping to further your manufacturing skills, consider the ECAMP™ program.

 — Assan Jallow, ECAMP™ student

“I’ve been deconstructing things and putting them together since I was about three or four. I knew for a long time that I wanted to be a prosthetics engineer and go into biomedical engineering, so when I heard about the ECAMP™ program, I thought, ‘This would be great for my career path.’

The ECAMP™ instructors are awesome; I love the professors; they go out of their way to make sure students understand the topics they cover. The ECAMP™ educators are consistently supporting us — telling us that if we ever need any help, no matter how small, to ask, and they’ll be right over.

A lot of the projects we’re doing are really fun and enlightening. My Capstone project centers around anxiety and ways to help calm down. I came up with the idea to modify a hematite stone that someone could carry around in their pocket to soothe themselves. The stone would have smooth ridges so that someone experiencing anxiety could run their fingers across it, calm their heart rate, and control their breathing.

I would recommend this program to anyone. ECAMP™ has expanded my knowledge of different ways to be creative. Advanced manufacturing is all about problem-solving, and I love that the field makes you think outside the box. No matter what career you go into, the skills students learn at ECAMP™ will always come into play.”

— Taylor Snow, ECAMP™ student

Are you interested in learning more about Goodwin’s exciting ECAMP™ program?
You’re just a click away. Check out our ECAMP™ page, today!