Pre-College Programs move campers miles ahead

– Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor; Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer;
Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor; Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday;
and faculty/staff from the Schneebeli Earth Science Center

Joseph C. Straw, assistant professor of diesel equipment technology, draws upon more than 20 years of teaching (and substantial experience in the heavy equipment industry) in explaining a variety of hydraulic couplings.

The faculty member then turned the tables, inviting a participant to lead the class in a recitation of what he learned.

Chris S. Weaver, assistant professor of diesel equipment technology, delivers an up-close primer on torque, speed and the inner workings of gears.

During an electrical safety session, diesel equipment technology instructor Bill J. Bashista Jr. discusses precautions when working with automotive batteries ...

... and displays the aftermath of an acid-spewing explosion.

Safety first, with vests and hard hats!

The 125-acre operations site south of Allenwood lends ample elbow room to a fleet of equipment, representing several of the college's corporate partners.

A camper signals his thumbs-up after successfully piloting a Caterpillar excavator.

... through which participants would express their unique artistry.

Self-confidence and satisfaction in full bloom!

Karen R. Ruhl, a florist and part-time member of the college's horticulture faculty, introduces the building blocks ...

... that continued when Shelinski safely reached his leafy "branch office."

Carl J. Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture, assists a tree-climbing exercise ...

A horticulture camper, whose ESC visit coincided with his family's move from Cuba to Carlisle, finds the experience to his liking.

A girl uses foot power to enhance her carabinered rise up the tree trunk.

Learning the fundamentals of safe equipment operation

Aboard a utility tractor, a camper signals "all is well."

Justin Shelinski, horticulture instructor and business owner, explains the basics of hardscaping ...

... before turning his students loose on a backyard creation.

Students learn about magnetic particle testing and inspection with the assistance of Mark N. Hurd (third from right), instructor of non-destructive testing and welding.

Getting hands-on with an electromagnetic yoke

A non-destructive testing “camper” engages in calibrating ultrasonic equipment ...

... as instructor Michael J. Nau (far left) and Hurd (background center) offer guidance in a dedicated lab within the college’s expansive welding facility.

Mark A. Sneidman, instructor of plastics technology, leads a Thingamajig group through the Shell Polymers Rotational Molding Center of Excellence.

Escaping summer heat in the cool creative space of a graphic design computer lab with instruction led by college faculty Kathryn M. Anderson (facing class) and Mark W. Wilson (standing in background at right).

The Graphic Design Summer Studio offers ample opportunity to reflect ...

... and explore the creative career field.

Student assistant Alexis M. Burrell, a graphic design senior from Danville, lines up completed work for an end-of-program exhibit. The studio assignment challenged students to create a logo and label for a flavorful LiveWire Energy drink, printed and mounted to black presentation board.

Program participants delight in each other’s creative designs.

Making friends is another outcome – beyond the new skills that empower futures.

Graphic design instructor Nicholas L. Stephenson (facing the crowd at left in blue shirt) shares praise for the novice designers with their families and friends at the final exhibit.

Participants in Fundamentals of Emergency Response practice applying tourniquets to each other as part of “stop the bleed” training.

A boy follows the easy-to-recall rule of thumb to using tourniquets: Place it “high and tight.” (Although, in this simulation, tourniquets were applied much more loosely.)

Katie Kieser, a 2018 grad of the college’s paramedic program now employed as a paramedic by Susquehanna Regional Emergency Medical Services, guides participants through packing a wound with combat gauze – a technique used when a cut is not on a limb and won’t benefit from a tourniquet.

With encouragement from Kathy Kling, ’15, who, along with Kieser, is a Susquehanna Regional EMS paramedic, a participant packs gauze into a manikin’s “gunshot wound.” Both Kling and Kieser are also part-time noncredit instructors at Penn College.

A participant practices a life-saving “stop the bleed” measure.

Before decorating comes mixing.

Participants’ impressive first cakes, decorated in buttercream frosting.

Adding gum paste flowers to a fondant-covered creation.

Among cake creations: Carrot cakes with cream cheese frosting …

… topped with marzipan carrots.

Chef Todd M. Keeley, assistant professor of baking and pastry arts/culinary arts, offers guidance for placing delicate gum paste flowers.

Putting the finishing touches on a chocolate-lover’s dream: Piped chocolate decorations atop a rich, chocolate ganache-covered chocolate cake.

Edible creatures include dogs …

A participant makes a final adjustment to one of the six cakes produced during the four-day camp.

Capturing the photo-worthy edible artwork.

Putting everything in its place for a final display for families.

A first-time cake decorator’s impressive gum paste cake topper.

… ladybugs …

… and chickens.

Families fill the baking lab to pick up their teenage cake stars – and their stunning work.

Concentration is but one of the essential tools in a spacious, well-equipped instructional lab.

Taking time for finishing touches

College Avenue Labs provides plenty of room for career exploration.

Collision repair instructor Roy H. Klinger (right) helps a camper replicate the detail-oriented world of automotive restoration.

Seemingly lined up for review, toolboxes pass muster during inspection.

Parental pride, personified

A trilogy of takeaways crafted by Thingamajig participants – a toolbox, a machinist's hammer and a nail punch – are admired during the week-ending showcase.

A family talks with Howard W. Troup (right), assistant professor of automated manufacturing/machine tool technology.

Kathy D. Chesmel (left), assistant dean of materials science and engineering technologies, shares her STEM passion with the day's guests.

Automotive instructor Eric D. Pruden (center) provides individualized attention as a hands-on project takes shape.

Michael R. Allen, whose two Penn College degrees and industrial experience led him to a full-time position as a welding instructor, shares his know-how in the Lycoming Engines Metal Trades Center.

Busy hands in "Pipe Alley"

Learning travels full-circle, as items designed in a CAD lab earlier in the week are fabricated in the welding lab.

Newswatch 16 reporter Chris Keating and videographer Tom Durant record an interview with a rising ninth grader in the welding lab.