Summer + Afterschool Collaborative Spotlight: Sinclair STEM Summer Camp – Advanced Manufacturing Lean Bootcamp

This blog series celebrates Summer + Afterschool Collaborative (SASC) member organizations with the goal to highlight the critical benefits of high-quality out of school learning for student success. The work of the SASC is possible thanks to the Charles D. Berry Foundation and CenterPoint Energy Foundation.

The Sinclair STEM Summer Camp – Advanced Manufacturing Lean Bootcamp began in 2021 through a partnership with Central State University to serve as a bridge for students transferring to the university. In 2023, the program transitioned into Sinclair Community College's STEM Summer Camp.

The program has experienced significant growth, more than doubling participation from last year. High school students from across Montgomery County apply each year, though enrollment remains limited due to funding and staffing capacity.

Upon completion of the program, students earn a Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship Program Completion Certificate. After graduating from high school, participants can enter apprenticeship programs with partner manufacturing companies, many of which cover the cost of attending Sinclair Community College while students continue their education and workforce training.

The program provides students with meaningful exposure to STEM careers and advanced manufacturing through hands-on learning, industry engagement, and workforce preparation. By connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences, students gain valuable technical skills while exploring career pathways that may lead directly into apprenticeships and postsecondary education.

Each day immerses students in hands-on STEM experiences designed to build technical knowledge and problem-solving skills.

Programming includes workshops and lab experiences such as:

AI Microcredential training

First Aid and CPR certification

Automation and robotics labs

Advanced Manufacturing Lean Bootcamp

Electrical engineering, soldering, and circuits labs

Math robotics labs

The schedule intentionally balances technical instruction with experiential learning, giving students opportunities to apply concepts in real-world settings while collaborating with peers.

Industry tours consistently rank among students' favorite experiences, giving them an inside look at advanced manufacturing facilities and helping them envision future career opportunities.

Students also enjoy the program's hands-on learning approach. Whether working with robotics, soldering, engineering challenges, or other technical activities, participants appreciate the opportunity to actively engage rather than sit through traditional classroom instruction.

Staff noted that skill-specific workshops often help students discover what genuinely interests them—and just as importantly, what doesn't. Learning whether a career pathway is or isn't the right fit is viewed as a valuable outcome of the experience.