May 2023 Volume 5

FOUNDATION NEWS

The Power of Learning by Doing By Harrison Ketchum

The idea that children are our future is brought up time and time again, but I don’t believe that businesses act on this idea enough. We at Campbell Press Repair strive to foster mechanical education for the enrichment of students and the advancement of the forging industry. By extending our knowledge to the youth, we hope to open more educational paths for students interested in STEM careers. While this is a goal of many manufacturing businesses, it’s not often that you hear about businesses truly utilizing their resources to reach students and create hands-on learning opportunities for the youth. As a fresh-faced co-op student at Campbell Press Repair, I took on a project that both advances the forging industry and opens the doors of mechanical education to kids in the community who have never had such an opportunity. Kettering Co-ops Benefit Businesses I am a first-year student at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan studying Mechanical Engineering. At Kettering, a large piece of my education is the co-op program. Required for all Kettering students, co-ops span all industries, companies, and positions. Every three months I switch between an academic term and a work term. While I’m in my academic term, I am on campus focusing purely on my studies and digging into engineering theory. While on my work term, I set all the books and homework aside, and work full time at Campbell Press Repair in a hands-on learning environment. Being new to the forging industry, every day of my first co-op rotation provided exciting challenges. In the middle of my co-op, I was given a chance to take the lead on a project that tested my engineering skills time and time again. Campbell volunteered to host a workshop to teach metal working skills to middle school and high school students, and I was assigned the role of project manager. From designing the project to planning the agenda and leading our team of volunteers, I was responsible for every detail of the workshop.Throughmy co-op work, I helped Campbell promote the growth of our youth and enrich the local community. When it came to testing my abilities and enacting our core beliefs at Campbell, this event was truly effective. Hands-on LearningMakes a Difference On the morning of Saturday, March 18, 2023, Campbell Press Repair welcomed thirty-five students of the Lansing Catholic Craftsmanship Club to our metal workshop. Our team helped them explore the world of metalworking through hands-on learning. Everything I designed, planned, and managed was tested through the kids’ experience. The students learned the art and science of plasma cutting, machining, welding, and final assembly at each of the four workstations. Engaged in hands-on work, each student built a piece of desk art featuring the LCHS logo. Students left the

event with the ability to say with confidence that they not only learned a deeper understanding of the forging and metalworking industry, but that every piece, part, and process of the project was done by themselves. When these kids entered our facility, not one of them knew anything about the forging world outside of the pictures of an anvil and hammer. None of them had done any metalworking before the event. But one morning, with the guidance of seasoned technicians, their mechanical education expanded far beyond the reaches of their typical classroom. Each student was eager to learn more about the processes and skilled trades that stand as the foundation of the forging industry. This was a valuable experience for both the students and me. I hope my story inspires FIAmembers to actively invest in student co-op programs and local skilled trades education.

Harrison Ketchum observes student assemble his project. Harrison Ketchum is a freshman at Kettering University, studying Mechanical Engineering. He is the student co-op at Campbell Press Repair, in Lansing, Michigan. Harrison is a member of the Michigan Delta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, and a member of Toastmasters International, Yawn Patrol Lansing.

Does your company offer co-ops or internships? Share open opportunities with the Forging Foundation by emailing foundation@forging.org.

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2023 82