BB2C Makerspace Summer Intern-Elijah Ditchendorf

This summer the BB2C Makerspace has had the privilege of having Elijah Ditchendorf, an engineering student at the University of Cincinnati and MHS grad, as our summer intern responsible for student/youth programming. He started with us early in May and just completed his internship last Thursday. In his time here, he has helped with the canoe making camp, developed projects and curriculum for two different week-long STEM camps, worked with students from the Boys and Girls Club, put together our new 3D printer, and was able to lend a hand in multiple ways throughout the Makerspace. We asked him a couple of questions before he left to find out what he thought.

In his own words…

Things didn’t really go the way I expected, in a very good way. At the start of the summer I didn’t really know anything about Arduinos or laser cutters. These two technologies where the backbone of the camps that I designed. That’s another thing, I didn’t really think that I was going to be designing the programming myself. I had never tried making any kind of curriculum before, so I didn’t really have an outline to follow. I just thought of what I would want a camp to be like and I made the camps like that. In school I always liked when I was given an objective and I had to figure would how to complete it. I tried to give them the skills they needed early and let them step up to the challenge. It worked far better than I could ever imagine. By letting the students figure things out on their own they gained a better mastery of the material than they ever could have if I just tried to walk them through step by step. Another positive of the hands off approach was that the students that did figure things out would collaborate with their peers.  All and all, I had a really great time designing these camps and working with the kids. I’m always impressed by a kid’s ability to rise to the occasion when you give them some responsibility. I definitely learned some more technical skills like using Arduino and the laser cutters. But I also learned that I like teaching. I like to work with students.

I had always thought that being a professor would be an interesting job. But after this experience I am fairly certain that is what I would like to do. I want to get better at teaching and explaining. I want to help facilitate an environment that is conducive to learning. I think that the best way I can accomplish this goal is by getting a PhD in Engineering Education.

Thank you, Elijah, for making the summer camps a great experience for all involved and good luck with your future!