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Young Philly Students Learn To Build Cars At CCP Summer Camp

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A summer camp giving city kids a crash course in automotive engineering as they learn to be the tech leaders of tomorrow.

This STEM program is made possible by the Community College of Philadelphia as it help put kids in the driver's seat of their future careers.

"I want to have a career in science, technology, engineering fixing computers, stuff like that."

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Janiyah is one of the middle school students, who for the next week will get a chance to take part in a summer camp offering hands on experience, learning what's underneath the hood, how cars work and what it takes to get a job in the automotive industry.

auto class
(credit: Justin Udo)

"I'm learning different parts of the cars. I'm learning how the car works," she said. "I'm learning what kind of cars there. I'm learning how the engine works. Things like that."

For 6th grader Nejat, who wants to be an engineer when she grows up, the program is a dream come true.

"I'm really interested in technology and how things work. I thought it would be fun and it would be nice to try something new like that," she said. "I really want to take something apart and try to put it back in after I learn how it works.

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Teacher Daniel Reed says they want kids taking part in this program to learn about tech jobs of tomorrow by getting their hands dirty using the tools of today.

"We just kind of want to expose younger kids to just the wide range of opportunities," Reed explained, "to what is transportation."

He says throughout the week they'll also expose the children to the world of transportation by taking them on field trips all around the city.

"We're going to be going to the Philadelphia Port Authority, we're going to be traveling to the airport, as well for tours," Reed said. "We're going to learn a little about vehicle history and design, we're going to the Philadelphia fleet garage to see police truck and fire trucks repaired."

The students will also get to build their own mini dragsters as part of a drag racing competition.

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