High school students get an early start on their MCC studies with CAD course

During the summer, Middlesex Community College offered a computer-aided engineering/design course as part of its College for Teens program. Students learned about the engineering field and gained experience in a potential future academic or career interest.

“I signed up because I wanted to learn how to use SOLIDWORKS, since I had only ever used CAD with Onshape,” said D. Danson, a student at MCC College for Teens in Lowell. “I learned how to navigate SOLIDWORKS, create and fully define sketches, build different 3D objects from those sketches, and create keyboard shortcuts. The MCC course gave me experience using a more widely used CAD program.”

The College for Teens Engineering/CAD course offered high school students an opportunity to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. MCC engineering professor Angel Escalona taught the course in six sessions on MCC’s Bedford campus from June 3–12.

“These types of courses feature short sessions and engineering-related topics,” Escalona said. “Companies desperately need people with 3D modeling knowledge. The course introduces students to a high-demand industry that is looking for people with the knowledge and skills they’ll learn.”

During the course, students learned and experimented with tools and software such as 3D printers, practical PCB layout, and SOLIDWORKS. They also acquired skills and values ​​that will help them in their engineering work through lectures and interactive exercises.

“The students were able to learn quickly,” Escalona said. “They understood the content well and learned the software without major problems, which made the learning process easier. It was interesting to see how focused they were on the topics.”

To complete the course, students received a final grade. Upon successful completion of the program, they received one credit for IDS135 – STEM Career Exploration at MCC.

“Companies desperately need people with 3D modeling knowledge,” he said. “They expect engineers to know the software. That gives people who know it an advantage over those who don’t.”

Led by MCC’s Community Education and Training department, College for Teens helps high school students develop skills, values, and life goals that build self-confidence. By learning and engaging with peers, they build positive habits and discover their strengths. The program offers courses in a variety of fields of study on campus and online.

“MCC’s College for Teens program guides high school students through their academic and career journeys,” said Workforce Education Dean Audrey Nahabedian. “The learning opportunities offered allow students to pursue college and explore multiple career paths at an affordable cost.”

Fall 2024 classes include Medical Laboratory Tech Career Exploration, The Art of Presentation: Speaking with Confidence, Algebra l Review, and Algebra ll Review. For more information, visit middlesex.mass.edu/collegeforkids/cfteens.aspx.