First Local CAD Camp a Success

Over the course of a week, eager campers ages 13 to 17, participated in AccelNow’s Computer Aided Design or CAD Camp located on the Dobyns-Bennett High School Campus.  Campers were introduced to design concepts and CAD software, as well as 3-D printing including its history, applications, and possibilities for the future.  Equipped with their newly acquired knowledge, students were presented with a design challenge to complete.  Upon successful completion of the challenge, the campers then showed off their skills by designing and 3-D printing of their own original designs.  The creativity and talent of the campers left their instructors highly impressed.  Camper’s projects ranged from highly detailed and decorative cell phone covers to more artistic designs reflecting the student’s personal interests.

Laptops and other funding for the camp were generously provided by the Niswonger Foundation and LaunchTN.  Special thanks also are given to Tennessee Eastman’s Bryan Shackleford.  Shackleford not only recruited highly qualified CAD instructors from the Eastman design department, but also served as an instructor for the camp himself.  His efforts were essential in making CAD Camp a success.  Additional thanks go out to RCAM for providing the camp with 3-D printers, Matt Desjardins at ETSU for coordination with AccelNow and the Niswonger Foundation, and Emily Neely at Holston Business Development Center for all her efforts in making sure the campers were well fed.  Healthy Kingsport was gracious enough to provide bottled water for the campers.  Additional thanks to Dobyns-Bennett High School for providing classroom space for the camp.

This camp was the first in a series of two CAD Camps planned this summer.  A second CAD Camp will be held July 11-15 on the East Tennessee State University campus.  The twenty available spots for campers filled quickly for this session indicating the high levels of interest and opening the door to additional and advanced sessions being offered in the future. If any other schools or organizations are interested in hosting a CAD Camp, please contact HBDC Director Keith Nakoff at 423.578.6235 .

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