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Tunxis Community College in Farmington recently hosted the 3rd Annual Greater Hartford Mini Maker Faire, a free family-friendly event where makers, creators, inventors, and people who like to tinker showcase their talents.
The day was filled with demonstrations and hands-on interactive activities including robotics, opportunities to use Arduino boards, participate in computer coding, launch customized rockets, and build structures out of different materials.
“These hands-on experiences are a great way to inspire our next generation of innovators and leaders in manufacturing and STEM,” said Dr. James Lombella, President of Asnuntuck Community College and Interim President of Tunxis Community College, who leads the College of Technology.
L to R: Connecticut Community College students who shared research and prototypes they created during their participation in the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technologies (MET2) Program are shown L to R with college administrators: Gateway Community College student Ronald Silva; Dr. James Lombella, President of Asnuntuck Community College and Interim President of Tunxis Community College; Wendy Robicheau, project manager for the College of Technology, Dr. Karen Woczyna-Birch, director of the College of Technology and executive director of the Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing; Tunxis student Elena Bolotova, Housatonic CC Student Jenny Pham; Norwalk CC student Lillian Orelup, Greg Szepanski, Tunxis professor and engineering science/technology studies program coordinator; Tunxis student Kelsie Jusko, Tunxis student Kevin Skrocki, Gateway CC student Benjamin Nnko, and Gateway CC student Jonathan Carothers.
During the Maker Faire, Connecticut Community College students shared research and prototypes they created during their participation in the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technologies (MET2) Program, a National Science Foundation Advanced Education-funded program. Among the projects featured were a bioreactive ankle brace, prosthetics for children, and a smart guitar.
The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities represented along with Tunxis and the College of Technology’s Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing were Asnuntuck Community College, Gateway Community College and Central Connecticut State University.
The Regional Center for Next Generation Technology (RCNGM) is one of seven National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education Centers in the United States. It is led by the College of Technology at Tunxis Community College, a consortium of all 12 CT Community Colleges and eight public and private universities that was formed through CT legislation in 1995 to establish seamless pathways in engineering and technology. Among its goals are to bring together educators and industry, and to be responsive to workforce needs in Connecticut. It also provides seamless career pathways for students to earn certificates, associate of science and bachelor of science degrees in engineering and technology disciplines, with no loss of credit upon transfer. For more information on the College of Technology, contact Karen Wosczyna-Birch at 860.723.0608, or [email protected].
The Greater Hartford Mini Maker Faire is funded in part by a NSF grant awarded to Tunxis Community College to establish the Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, a National Science Foundation Center of Excellence.
Tunxis Community College in Farmington offers over 60 associate degrees and certificates, including eight associate degrees with science, engineering and technology emphases, and certificates in lean manufacturing and computer aided design. Tunxis is also a recipient of a $2.4 million National Science Foundation grant that established the College of Technology’s Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, a NSF Center of Excellence. For more information on programs at Tunxis, call 860.773.1490, or visit tunxis.edu.