Dream Big and Have Fun Round 4!

virtual welder at Boys and Girls Club

MPTC Welding Boot Camp student Nick Martinez helps Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club members try out the virtual welder

On April 12, 2018, Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club kids in grades 5-11 were excited to meet and learn with Moraine Park Welding Aide Dan Eldridge and Welding Boot Camp student Nick Martinez!

Dan was excited to showcase the virtual welder for Club kids.  He said, “it’s really neat to introduce welding to the younger generation and I hope we helped “spark an interest” for manufacturing careers!” 

Nick said, “so fun and entertaining!  I got to show kids how to weld and see them learning and really enjoying it! I myself am really excited about my training and my internship at Mayville Engineering.  I’m going to get a really good job there as soon as I graduate in just a few weeks!”

Nick Martinez show a group how to use the virtual welder at Boys and Girls Club

Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club Director of Teen Services Dillon Wiese said, “Our teens were given the opportunity to participate in a welding presentation with the virtual welder from Moraine Park. What a fun, interactive learning experience for all those who participated!  One young man was especially excited because he has watched his Dad and Grandpa welding in the garage and always wanted to give it a try.  Kids also talked about how many things in their every day life at school and home needed a welder to make.  You can even learn underwater welding!  A big thank you to the Moraine Park welding boot camp team for providing our teens with a chance to learn about this important career choice.”

Young boy trys out a virtual welder at Boys and Girls Club

The idea for “Dream Big and Have Fun” began with the Moraine Park Technical College District Student Government President/IT Club Vice President, Phil Conley.  Phil was passionate about helping kids after volunteering with the IT Club internet safety project at Boys and Girls Club last year.  He had an awesome brainstorm to reach out to all the Moraine Park Clubs through Student Senate and make a plan for each one to visit the Boys & Girls Club to share some learning and fun from their programs/careers.  Clubs will be featured all throughout the months of March and April.  This is a great opportunity for Moraine Park students to earn service learning hours and for Fond du Lac Boys and Girls Club members to get excited about future career choices!

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

Nick Martinez teaches a kids about the virtual welder at Boys and Girls Club Young man tests the virtual welder at Boys and Girls ClubNick Martinez demonstrates how to use the virtual welder at Boys and Girls Club

Written by Anne Lemke
Student Community Impact Coordinator