Heir Force Community School students gather around retired P&G engineer David Sproles to learn how to create an integrated circuit.
Precious Grundy | The Lima News
LIMA — In the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, career opportunities are endless. Local organizations are teaming up to inspire students to grow.
On Friday afternoon, Heir Force Community School partnered with Procter & Gamble and Central District Makerspace to expose children to the bright lights also known as integrated circuits.
The STEM class focused on student development by showing the young adults potential career paths. Students in 5th through 8th grade were able to engage in a workshop that provided hands-on experience in the area of engineering.
David Sproles, a retired engineer from P&G, led the class to build an electronic circuit using a 555 timer chip to create blinking lights.
“In a class like this students have a chance to hold the parts and recognize how difficult it is to get things to go in a certain location and how easy it is to get it in the wrong spot or the right spot,” said Sproles. “The chance for them to do it themselves is a step above watching a video.”
This is not the first time students were able to learn new things in a creative way. Heir Force Community School held a STEM camp in the summer of 2022. The camp was hosted by Central District Makerspace, Dr. JJ Sreenan and Alex Bander.
Children experienced workshops in technology and the medical field.
Heir Force Community School Executive Director Dr. Willie Heggins weighed in on the recent STEM camps for their students.
“At that time we were wanting to use the whole day as an opportunity to expose students to STEM activities,” said Heggins. “Between the two days, 50 of my students were able to participate. That was kind of the springboard. Like okay, let’s get intentional about providing opportunities during school for STEM workshops and as the MakerSpace is being developed here in the city of Lima it will be another opportunity for any kids for experimental learning.”
Heggins plans to continue to provide students with learning opportunities so they are prepared to be the next generation of the workforce.
“I want kids to realize that the person that I am working with is just like me,” added Heggins. “They have the ability to be whatever they want to be. Whatever their possibilities are.”
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
