YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Elainie Huncik is a Mahoning Valley native and has a passion for watching kids of all ages learn and improve upon their STEM skills.
“That lightbulb moment when they get it is so rewarding,” said Huncik, who is the program coordinator for OH WOW! Children’s Center for Science and Technology. “And it’s so fascinating to see the different designs that the kids come up with.”
We don’t often think about it, but engineers design everything from our clothes to our buildings to our cars, Huncik said.
“So that design thinking process is really important regardless of your career,” she saids. “You’re going to use it at some point.”
OH WOW!’s 10th annual summer manufacturing institute camp is a partnership with the Youngstown YWCA. Students have the opportunity to create their own urban design and additive-manufacturing projects.
It’s also a chance to teach kids about teamwork, and Ohio’s storied manufacturing history, she said.
“With this camp we absolutely love to highlight all of our local manufacturers,” Huncik said. “We take the kids to various manufacturing sites, and all of the sites host us very well, give us tours, do activities.”
Saavi Bhide, 11, learned how to solder at last year’s camp and is hoping to learn more valuable life skills this summer.
“I like the engineering part and building,” Bhide said. “It entertains me and keeps me busy.”
Huncik says OH WOW! will soon open additive manufacturing and virtual-reality labs on the second floor of the building, which is located at 15 Central Square in downtown Youngstown.
The Youngstown State University graduate said she sees a bright future when it comes to STEM jobs in the Buckeye State.
“It’s so great to see everything that’s happening, even in the past five years,” Huncik said. “There’s so much to do here. There’s so many careers to explore, it’s really and awesome place.”
The camp runs through July 21.
