{"id":16417,"date":"2025-09-08T19:23:35","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T19:23:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/?p=16417"},"modified":"2025-09-08T23:13:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T23:13:43","slug":"from-blueprints-to-breakthroughs-a-summer-camp-for-tomorrows-scholars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/2025\/09\/08\/from-blueprints-to-breakthroughs-a-summer-camp-for-tomorrows-scholars\/","title":{"rendered":"From Blueprints to Breakthroughs: A Summer Camp for Tomorrow\u2019s Scholars\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Liz Dailey, Nick Imparato, and Ella Lathan <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Creators and team with their 3D printed trophies. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This summer, the Makerspace at Temple University Libraries\u2019 Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio (LCDSS) welcomed 30 high school students for a hands-on course in 3D design, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) modeling, and 3D printing. The program was a collaboration between three educational organizations and two technology companies working together to open doors to technology and design: Launchpad Philly, CreateAccess, the Scholars Studio, Comcast, and Bentley Systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Launchpad Philly<\/a> prepares Philadelphia students from underrepresented communities for the tech careers of the future, from software development to AI. Over two and a half years, participants gain 2,000+ hours of training, industry-recognized certifications, and paid work experience. CreateAccess<\/a> engages beginners in 3D creation to ignite curiosity, build confidence, and help them see that careers in 3D are within reach. CreateAccess augments Launchpad\u2019s core programs by introducing students to 3D creation through project-based micro courses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ruth, Jennica, and Loceny in the Makerspace creating their 3D project. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As part of this program, CreateAccess supported Launchpad students in learning foundational CAD modeling skills that enabled them to design custom trophies to be awarded at Ignite, Launchpad\u2019s annual pitch competition.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ignite is a highlight of the Launchpad journey, where students practice design thinking, entrepreneurship, and public speaking while pitching app ideas that solve real problems in their communities. To inspire their designs, students also visited the Comcast Technology Center, where they toured the fabrication lab, were introduced to industrial design, and had the opportunity to work with industrial design professionals to create their initial trophy design concepts. They later had the opportunity to get feedback about their in-progress designs from colleagues from Bentley Systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked about the partnership, Nick Imparato, Launchpad\u2019s Program Director, remarked, \u201cHaving physical trophies to provide to Ignite\u2019s winners took the event to the next level and provided a fantastic opportunity to showcase our students\u2019 technical skill and creativity. None of this would have been possible without the incredible work of the CreateAccess team and the technical support and space the Makerspace provided.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the Scholars Studio, students brought their concepts to life. With access to the Makerspace\u2019s state-of-the-art equipment and the support of staff, they produced the final 3D-printed trophies that debuted at Ignite. Combining Launchpad\u2019s mission, CreateAccess\u2019s expertise, insights from industry professionals, and the Scholars Studio\u2019s resources gave students a powerful experience in design, problem-solving, 3D technical skills development, and innovation, preparing them for the rapidly evolving tech world ahead.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExposing high school students to software like this increases their digital literacy within every CAD\/CAM-applicable industry and prepares them to engage with it in college at a high level,\u201d Hannah Tardie, Makerspace Manager, said. \u201cIt\u2019s important to increase inclusivity and accessibility around these programs, not just because these students don\u2019t typically have access to curriculum on advanced software and equipment, but also because they will push the field in new and dynamic ways.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Umbar and Jamir in the Makerspace showing off their 3D print. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Learning CAD\/CAM software can be profoundly empowering. Tardie underscores, the process of designing objects and bringing them to life through 3D printing represents a form of worldbuilding that echoes what digital media scholar Ruha Benjamin describes as Radical Imaging<\/em>. Engaging in 3D modeling encourages students to think abstractly about the possibilities they envision, transform those ideas into concrete designs, and then realize them through printing.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This practice demonstrates to students that they have the ability to shape and influence their world. It also emphasizes that they are not limited to relying on preexisting objects or systems\u2014they can create the tools, artifacts, and possibilities they want to see. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students\u2019 feedback about the program highlighted the benefits of seeing how their ideas \u201ccame to real life\u201d and their appreciation for an environment to \u201cgrow and develop.\u201d Several highlighted their specific interest in 3D printing, which was made possible through the resources of the Makerspace.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ignite winners for Best Pitch – GravitasQuest – standing with CreateAccess Co-Founder and Executive Director Liz Dailey and Ignite Judge and Comcast UX Designer Willem Schreiks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

None of which would have been possible without the resources as well as the passionate, knowledgeable staff that work at the LCDSS at Temple University Libraries.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was excited when Launchpad approached me with this program because it is exactly the type of work we want to grow and support in the Makerspace,\u201d Tardie said. \u201cI aim for the Makerspace within Temple Libraries to increase digital literacy and expand upon the definition of digital literacy and what that can mean for library patrons. I love that the collaboration between Launchpad and CreateAccess focused on training students to complete fun and interesting assignments on sophisticated, industry-standard digital software. CAD (computer aided design) software can be intimidating, and the projects I saw come out of this summer program were impressive and unique. It\u2019s evident that the curriculum Launchpad X CreateAccess produced was intentionally planned and well executed.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

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Ignite Trophies created by Launchpad Students at the Makerspace.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Beyond the Makerspace, Launchpad and CreateAccess were able to use one of Temple\u2019s state of the art computer labs at a different facility on campus to support a video game design track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Lucia, Dean of Libraries, remarked, “Our aspiration for the Charles Library has always been for it to function as an educational resource for our community and through its skilled staff and unique resources such as the Makerspace to bring it to life as an on-ramp for engaging curious students with new tools and technologies. It\u2019s great to see those aspirations becoming reality and including young people from our neighborhood. It\u2019s a wonderful realization of our vision.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programs like this are vital to Temple University Libraries and to the University as a whole. They embody our commitment to forward thinking and to investing in the next generation. As a library\u2014and as an institution rooted in North Philadelphia\u2014we carry a responsibility to foster education and opportunity. This program demonstrates how cultivating an inclusive environment, teaching real-world skills, and encouraging creativity can spark innovation, perseverance, and tenacity\u2014qualities our world needs now more than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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By Liz Dailey, Nick Imparato, and Ella Lathan This summer, the Makerspace at Temple University Libraries\u2019 Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio (LCDSS) welcomed 30 high school students for a hands-on course in 3D design, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) modeling, and 3D … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35530,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16417","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-library-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16417","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35530"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16417"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16417\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16436,"href":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16417\/revisions\/16436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16417"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16417"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/librarynews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}