"Energy" Camp engages youth with hands-on learning

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It’s hard to beat hands-on learning when it comes to exploring options within the energy production sector. 


Thirty-six students from the bayou region learned about careers in energy production at the Energy Venture Production Camp, June 10 – 14, held at Fletcher Technical Community College’s BP Integrated Production Technologies (IPT) building. This marks the fifth year that Shell Oil Company and Fletcher Technical Community College have collaborated to offer the camp.

Students in grades 9-12, ranging in ages from 13-18, explored possible careers in energy production through hands-on projects and experiments, discussions with industry professionals, and a tour of the Shell Robert Training Facility.

“Fletcher Technical Community College was pleased to be able to host the Shell Energy Camp,” commented Fletcher Chancellor Dr. Kristine Strickland. “This camp provides our youth with an opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and explore various future careers. Introducing students to the possibilities that exist in our community for high wage, high demand careers is essential as we continue to build a future workforce for our region.”  


Seven current and former Fletcher Integrated Production Technology students were chosen to be camp mentors. The mentors’ tasks were varied throughout the planning and implementation of the camp, though their main responsibility was to make camp fun and a great learning experience. 

Caitlin Bruce, Career Counselor and Interim Director of Student Affairs, and Noel George, Department Head of Integrated Production Technologies at Fletcher Technical Community College, led the week-long camp.

Students work together to construct a cradle to protect an egg from cracking as it is dropped from a two-story building.


Students use vegetable oil, water and food coloring to experiment with density.

Noel George, Camp Lead and Department Head for Fletcher’s Integrated Production Technology program, addresses campers with his version of a “safety briefing” each morning.