LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – The City of Lima is hosting its GenNext Makers Camp this week, offering middle school students hands-on learning experiences in STEM-related fields.
On Monday, campers visited the Lima Wastewater Treatment Plant to explore the process of water reclamation and gain insight into careers in environmental science. The free, four-day camp aims to spark student interest in local career pathways through a combination of interactive activities and on-site field trips across Lima and Allen County.
Campers visited the Lima Wastewater Treatment Plant to explore the process of water reclamation and gain insight into careers in environmental science.
“I like science and things like that, so I want to do more activities,” said Jeremiah Eghan of St. Charles Catholic School. “And because sometimes I sit on the couch too long, I want to get outside and do some things.”
Hendrix Smith, a student at Lima West Middle School, added, “I'm way interested in science and other aspects of STEM, so I believe this can be a good way to get out there and learn more stuff about our city and science itself.”
Joe Welker, acting assistant supervisor at the Lima Wastewater Treatment Plant, spoke to the students about the facility’s role in protecting the environment.
“We're the last line of defense,” Welker said. “We feel strongly that we're here to protect the environment, and it's a complicated procedure, but we're going to explain to them how we use biology to get waste out of water so it can be returned back into the water use stream.”
The Lima Wastewater Treatment Plant serves more than 47,000 people and operates with an extensive system that includes 32 lift stations, a 13-million-gallon combined sewer overflow storage tank, and over 200 miles of sewer lines.
