VTSU’s 3D Technology Summer Institute Equips High School Students and Recent Graduates with Practical and Creative Skills in High Demand Across Industries
Randolph, VT – A cross-campus and multi-discipline collaboration at Vermont’s new public university, Vermont State University (VTSU), brought exposure to cutting-edge 3D technology tools and software for Vermont high school juniors, seniors, and 2024 graduates this summer.
The 3D Technology Summer Camp brought faculty from Vermont State University’s Castleton, Lyndon, and Randolph campuses together to teach three two-week 3D Technology courses with the aim of equipping students with high-demand skills, exposing them to new technology, and introducing them to Vermont State University’s leading edge programs.
“Today’s jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities are increasingly demanding practical and creative applications of 3D technology,” notes Matt Moriarty, Assistant Professor of Archaeology at Vermont State University, and one of the faculty leaders in the certificate program. “This certificate and the introductory summer camp was conceptualized to expose students to the 3D modeling, imaging, and printing revolution that is transforming a variety of industries. The opportunities have no limit, with practical and creative applications of 3D technology found in practically every industry, including art, science, healthcare, education, construction, manufacturing, and more.”
That’s exactly why Wesley Barlow from Peacham, a junior at St. Johnsbury Academy, enrolled in the summer institute. He wanted to better understand the complex 3D technology that will help him pursue his dream career in aerospace engineering.
“I’m always looking for opportunities to expand my engineering toolset,” he says. “I’m planning to go into a fairly ambitious field, so it’s important to have as much experience as possible and as many different skill-sets as possible as I get ready to apply to college.”
Students earned three college credits for each two-week session they completed, with students who completed all three summer courses earning nine credits from VTSU and a Certificate in 3D Technology. This industry-recognized credential marks skills and knowledge applicable to many fields, including engineering and additive manufacturing, anthropology and archaeology, art and illustration, and virtual and augmented reality.
“Exposing students to cutting-edge technology, the kind of software and hardware used right now by leading companies across multiple industries, will position them for success, whether they leave VTSU with this certificate or continue on to earn an Associate or Bachelor’s degree,” adds Dave Bergh, President of Vermont State University. “Embedding credentials that benefit our learners and enhance their future opportunities is fundamental to the mission of Vermont State University. Not only are these high school students earning college credits free of charge, thanks to a generous grant from the Vermont Legislature, they are leaving the summer program with hirable skills that will serve them now and in the future.”
Barlow, age 16, is also the captain and CAD lead of St Johnsbury Academy’s FIRST robotics team, FRC 2523 Techstorm.
“I’ll be able to apply the 3D printing skills I learned right away in my high school’s robotics team, where 3D printing is an increasingly important part of the creation process. Making 3D artistic models is fun for me, and I’m enjoying using the skills I learned this summer in a lot of different ways,” he notes.
Kate Renner, Assistant Professor in the Department of Visual Art, shares, “we saw a lot of interest in the institute this summer, from students who signed up for all three sessions to students who took one of the classes. It was great to see those who signed up based on their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) really thrive in the art class on 3D imaging, while also seeing those who were most interested in the arts have opportunities available to them within the program as well. The summer institute was truly multi-disciplinary and aimed at 16-to-18-year-olds to pique their interest in 3D technology, equip them with hirable skills, as well as college credit, and to do it all with a focus on affordability. Room and board costs as well as program tuition were covered with the legislative grant, meaning Vermonters were able to take advantage of the program, regardless of their family’s ability to afford the program.”
John Kidder, Chair of VTSU’s Engineering Department, emphasizes, “this certificate pulls together several of VTSU’s excellent academic programs—Anthropology, Archaeology & Geography, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Animation & Illustration— and brings students into the state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Center labs on the Randolph campus, further exposing them to the opportunities available to them after furthering their skills and education. The summer institute was the beginning and we’re looking forward to offering it again next year with an advanced track for those who have completed the basics. In the meantime, learners of all ages can enroll in these academic programs at Vermont State in addition to the 3D Technology program offered during the academic year.”
Information on the 3D technology program and Vermont State University’s academic programs is available here: https://vermontstate.edu/academic-programs/3d-technology/.
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