In February, Pam Petersen, STEM director, Metropolitan Community College (MCC), Omaha, Nebraska, spent time with the chapter, sharing information about the MCC Prototype Design Lab. Petersen began with a little history about the Fort Omaha Campus, and how the U.S. Army did intelligence at Fort Omaha between 1908 to 1913 as part of the Signal Corps.
Petersen talked about the Prototype Lab's hours of operation and the costs of membership. She explained the membership fees provide full access to all equipment and software within the facility once a mandatory safety course is completed.
Petersen also told the story of a married couple running their entire business out of the MCC Prototype Design Lab until they got to a point where they bought a home and obtained their own equipment. Petersen said that the lab has over 10,000 square feet of space made up of five primary rooms, along with a design and 3D-printing space that uses resin, bamboo and gypsum. It features a complete wood shop, accommodating traditional woodworking and advanced CNC equipment. It also offers lasers and a plasma table, which can be used for welding or using a fiber laser to cut, engrave and shape materials for prototypes, art and industrial projects. The lab is equipped with a metal shop that accommodates professional fabrication. And lastly, the lab provides a finishing room with a powder coating oven that allows you to apply professional-grade, durable finishes to your metal projects.
Petersen discussed learning how to use the equipment. For the initial level, fundamental classes are free with membership. In the second level, foundation classes that have a longer format will require a small fee to participate. And for the third tier, lab techs will help when and how they are needed. Petersen also described the type of people found in the lab: Hobbyists, who want to experiment with the equipment; inventors, who come to prototype their inventions; entrepreneurs; artists; students and more.
Petersen concluded by saying that all are welcome to the Prototype Design Lab, and it is free to MCC students.
|
Tom Merkle, chapter executive vice president, shakes hands with Pam Petersen, STEM director, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, Nebraska. Petersen gave a superb overview of the MCC Prototype Design Lab and the services offered at the February Luncheon. She received a Greater Omaha Chapter coin for addressing the chapter. |
