News

Fruitport’s Got Talent!

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:03:19 -0500

Fruitport High school’s DECA team hosted its fourth annual Talent Show at the middle school auditorium on November 6, 2012. The DECA team, along with several staff, selected fifteen performance groups who demonstrated their amazing talents in vocal, instrumental and dance performances. Prizes were awarded to the top five performances. Chosen as Judge’s favorite were Kim Gauthier and Justin Tu for their performance of “Volcano” by Phillip Phillip, which was played as a duet on a single piano, Best Duet or Group performance went to Megan Newsted and Cain Burling for their performance of “Payphone” by Maroon 5 and Best Solo was awarded to Janelle Vest for her amazing performance of her original music composition called “Whatever it Takes”. The Show Stopper award went to Chris Baauw, Caleb, Cutler, Gideon Hunter , and Logan Stong for their outstanding group performance of “As Long as You Love Me” as originally sung by Justin Beiber. The final award, Crowd Pleaser, went to Devin Beer for his animated and stylish performance of “Through the Fire and Flames” by Dragonforce. The performances went off without any glitches except for a performance delay due to dead microphone batteries.

Local radio personality Andy O donated his talents again this year. His first order of business was to introduce Mariah Ackerman. Mariah is a senior student who was diagnosed with leukemia as a junior and DECA will donate all proceeds from the show to DeVos Children’s Hospital in her name. Mariah, who currently is in remission, explained the purpose of the funds, “the money raised tonight will go support services for families”. She added, “Often families arrive at DeVos and are told unexpected news that requires them to stay longer than anticipated. This support service provides family members with necessities like tooth brushes, tooth paste and meal vouchers”.

The student organization, DECA, along with Fruitport marketing teacher Danielle Hershey was responsible for planning this year’s event. “A three person committee made up of Hanna Covert, Justin Wierengo, and Lauren Kemme were in charge this year,” commented Mrs. Hershey. “For these students the talent show represents their student project for DECA and with this project they will be able to enter the State DECA competition”, she added. Lauren Kemme , one of the three committee members said, “We will write a paper about the overall project and then do a presentation on the talent show at state competition.” The presentation the group creates will include their involvement with the project from the creation of the forms for auditions, programs, and rehearsal schedules to the selection of the performers for the show. They had to arrange practice times, coordinate people for lighting, sound, stage set-up, and videographers. “We had to arrange for judges,” Lauren said. “We asked student, parents, teachers and even the Superintendant of schools.” “Most people were willing to help out” she said but also said it was “nerve wracking to see if everyone showed up”. Also needed were people to design, print, cut, sell and take tickets, and to hand out programs at the show. “We asked people to donate baked goods for our intermission bake sale,” Lauren said.

The total amount raised and donated to DeVos Children’s hospital in Mariah’s honor exceeds $1500. Lauren added, “It was an amazing amount of work, but it was so worth it!”

New Aviation Program only Beginning to Take Flight

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:06:25 -0400

The newest program addition to the Calhoun Area Career Center is giving students an unparalleled and invaluable opportunity to prepare for future careers in the aviation industry. The aviation program covers all facets of the industry and is directed at students wishing to pursue any career path within the industry, and not just for those who want to be pilots. The program’s goal is to develop a solid, knowledge-based foundation for either post-secondary education in aviation, or entry level jobs in the workforce. This year-long program offers 7 articulated credit hours through a partnership between the Calhoun Area Career Center, Kellogg Community College, and Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation.

The program, now in its second year, was born of a collaboration between aviation stakeholders in Battle Creek, including Duncan Aviation, a major maintenance facility for business jets. So far, the program has been incredibly successful. With over 20 students completing the 2010-2011 academic year, nearly half have gone on to pursue aviation related higher education. Former students who are now freshman at Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation came back to the Center, recently, to share their experiences with 10th graders thinking about signing up. “This class really helped prepare me for my classes at Western. When I got to class the first day, I knew everything the professor was talking about, and we even used the exact same textbooks,” said one graduate. Continuing on its first year success, the program is now poised to become a two year curriculum. The aim of such an expansion is to provide students with additional articulated credits and a semester of work-based learning with local aviation entities.

Students in CACC’s Aviation program are exposed to a diverse spectrum of topics within the aviation industry, from the history and development of aviation to accident investigations. The class also develops skills which are critical to almost everyone in the aviation workforce, like flight planning procedures, weather interpretation, and safety. Students augment their academics in the program’s flight simulator lab, equipped with two state of the art simulators capable of representing a light training aircraft or a regional jet airliner. During the unit on aerodynamics, the students have a chance to engineer a prototype wing and test it in the class’s wind tunnel. While studying aircraft systems, they learn how to perform routine maintenance inspections on a piston engine airplane. Between field trips to various corporate flight departments, the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, and Jackson Community College where students have a chance to take the controls of a real Cessna 172 (with an instructor aboard!), there are possibilities for students to explore the full scope of their interests in the industry. In addition to industry specific skills, students also undergo career and employability skills training, where they receive training on the entire hiring process from how to properly complete a job application, to building a resume and cover letter, and culminating with a mock interview. Seniors in can earn a fourth year math credit.

Aviation at the Calhoun Area Career Center is just beginning to take off. With the potential to earn up to 16 credits at the successful completion of two years in the program, it is a tremendous cost savings for students intent on becoming professional in the aviation industry. With very few aviation themed career and technical education classes in the state, the Calhoun Area Career Center is in position and on its way to set the standard.

Battle Creek CTE Instructor Wins State recognition

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:04:19 -0400

Chef Steve Deal, culinary and hospitality instructor at the Calhoun Area Career Center of Battle Creek, was recently recognized by the Michigan Restaurant Association for his outstanding dedication to education. The Association presented him the prestigious ProStart Educator Excellence award. Says deal, “I was extremely surprised to have been given such an honor as only a second year CTE teacher.” While Chef Deal is relatively new to the classroom, he is no stranger to instruction. Asked what characteristics and qualities contributed to his consideration and ultimately receipt of the award, Deal said that the Michigan Restaurant Association’s board was impressed that he had gone from an exemplary mentor during his career in the culinary industry, to a teacher of Career and Technical education responsible for instructing the future professionals of culinary and hospitality.

The ProStart curriculum, according to Deal, is administered by the National Restaurant Association. The curriculum teaches students the foundations of restaurant management and culinary arts. Chef Deal was given the award during his class’s Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO), supported by the Michigan Restaurant Association. Deal, being familiar with the curriculum before becoming an instructor, related that the skills taught to students in the program are the exact skills they’ll need for future careers in industry. “I always used some of the foundational skills from the ProStart curriculum during my work,” he says.

Deal is also no stranger to Career and Technical education. Before landing on culinary arts, Deal received a scholarship from his high school TV/Radio broadcast CTE class in Lansing, Michigan. The scholarship paid for his first year of community college. During that time, however, he was also working in restaurants, and after his first year decided that his true passion lay in culinary arts. At age 20, he “got serious” about becoming a chef, but at that time culinary schools had not yet reached the level of popularity they enjoy today. He moved to Fairfax, Virginia where he apprenticed under a chef for nearly five years before moving to the Washington DC Country Club. Returning to Michigan, Deal served as the Executive Chef of the Battle Creek Country Club for 17 years.

Deal’s class is a popular one, and his passion for teaching immediately apparent during a visit to his classroom. As one of the CACC’s higher-enrollment programs, students have an unparalleled opportunity to not only learn from an experienced professional, but to apply their academics in state of the art, industrial kitchen housed within the CACC. Deal said that his goal is to “prepare the students for the next level, whether it is secondary education in the culinary arts, or if they are going directly to the workforce.” Deal said he teaches from experience, and incorporates as many personal experiences into his instruction as possible, to relate to students why the material they’re learning is important. He aims to give each student as many “tastes” of the culinary and hospitality industry as possible, in an effort to broaden their career interests. Deal says “its all about preparing them for what’s next.”

CACC Histotechnology Student Partners with Medical Examiner on Senior Project

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:46:14 -0400

Do you know what a Histotechnician does? Histology is the microscopic study of diseased tissue. Histotechnicians work under the supervision of a Pathologist to prepare tissue specimens for diagnosis. They prepare microscope slides of human and animal tissue to be studied by a doctor or scientist. The specimens Histotechnologist and Forensic Pathologists works with are obtained from autopsies, biopsies or surgeries.

The Capital Area Career Center located in Mason, Michigan, offers a 2-year nationally certified Histotechnology program and students get Lansing Community College credit after successful completion of this program requirments. Histotechnology is an in demand career field that pays well. There are job openings around the country. Successful completion of the program requires good organizational skills and a commitment of time. The Program Director and Instructor of the program is Roger Smith is well respected by his students. Student Kayla Martin, from Leslie High School, described the Histotechnology Program as “a lot of work but very interesting.”

During the first year of the program students are trained in a wide variety of basic laboratory skills such as problem solving, medical ethics and chemical safety. Second year students are challenged to advance their histological techniques by completing several research projects throughout the year. This class is nationally certified and second year students also have the opportunity to prepare for a national exam in Histotechnology.

This school year Kayla Martin, a second year Histotechnology student, who has aspirations to be a Forensic Pathologist, had a wonderful opportunity to learn in a real world situation. She had the chance to partner with Dr. Brian Hunter, the Chief Medical Examiner from Genesee County, to witness an autopsy as part of the research for her senior thesis.

Martin met Dr. Hunter when he did a presentation in her class at the Capital Area Career Center, in Mason. After his presentation she introduced herself and said that she planned to study to be a Forensic Pathologist after completion of the program. When Martin decided that she wanted to watch a doctor perform an autopsy as part of her senior thesis, Dr. Hunter offered to let her observe an autopsy. Martin said she was honored because, “ he’s such a busy man and he made time for me!”

Dr. Hunter also provided a human sample from a closed case public records file of an eight-year-old boy who died from an Aneurism. Martin was able to use the sample for her Senior Thesis Project, which was to research the Histology of brain aneurisms in children. The human sample allowed Martin to view the difference between how healthy and unhealthy tissue looks. Martin added that, “ brain aneurisms in children are rare but do happen.”

Martin commented that,“ working with Dr. Hunter made me more excited about getting into Forensic Pathology. It was cool to see what I hope to be doing professionally in 15 years.” A major component of Career and Technical Education is creating Job Shadowing and hands-on learning opportunities for students. This is a great example of a partnership between the Capital Area Career Center Histotechnology Program and the professional community. Martin added, “ When people think of pathologist, they imagine someone with no sense of humor who spends his days working with dead people. Dr. Hunter is a fun man and he showed me that the field of Forensic Pathology doesn’t have to be boring!” After completing the Histotechnology Program at the Capital Area Career Center this school year, Kayla Martin plans to attend Ferris State University and study Forensic Biology.

CACC New Media Students Show and Tell

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:44:36 -0400

The New Media Program at the Capital Area Career Center (CACC) in Mason, Michigan will have a student art exhibit up at Coffee and Friends Café in Okemos, Michigan through the month of April 2012. The New Media Program is excited to partner with Coffee and Friends Café to provide this first time opportunity for students to present and perhaps sell their original music and digital artwork in a gallery setting. The goal of the exhibit is to help the student artist’s gain confidence, learn marketing techniques and develop skills that help them to become professional artists.

The CACC New Media program is an overview of the New Media industry, including an introduction to graphic design, photography, audio production and digital filmmaking. The class uses state of the art software like Adobe Creative Suite for creating graphic design and Final Cut Studio to edit video. The students learn in an impressive New Media lab with equipment used in the industry such as Apple Computers and Canon and Nikon Cameras. The first year of the New Media program is an overview of the software and hardware used in the industry. Select second year students are able to return for intensive focus in a specific area, such as graphic design or digital video production.

Student participation in the art exhibit at Coffee and Friends Cafe was voluntary and Graphic Artist, Aimee West, who is a member of the New Media Program’s Advisory Committee, juried the exhibit. Petra Daher who is a member of the instructional team in the New Media classroom suggested the idea for the exhibit so students could gain experience promoting their artwork. “To be a successful professional artist a person must be excellent at what they do as well as being savvy with business and marketing skills.”

The students who had artwork or music selected for the exhibit will have a chance to talk to the public about the experience at a “Meet and Greet” at the cafe. The café’s gallery will be filled with over 25 examples of student’s digital artwork. The New Media student artwork is as varied as the student population. The collection hanging in the gallery includes: Original Graphic Design, Portraits, Nature Photography and Experimental Photography using Photoshop Software. During the “Meet and Greet” student artists will be available for questions and second year Music and Digital filmmaking students, Dan Posthumous, Holden Martinson and Wes Buskirk will perform original music.

Digital Technology has dramatically changed the way illustrators, photographers, filmmakers and musicians produce their art. Digital artwork is any artwork created using digital technology such as digital drawing tablets or software like Soundtrack Pro, Garage Band, Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. Career & Technical Education promotes that students discuss and display work; presentation is an important stage in the educational process. The event is an opportunity for the community to see the original digital artwork and music created by the New Media students and a chance to ask them questions about their process and the skills they learned throughout the year.

First year New Media student Chelsea McClung is excited to participate in the exhibit because she is “ trying to develop an art portfolio and professional experience exhibiting artwork so she can get a scholarship to an art school for college.” Another first year New Media student, Katie Collier hopes to sell some artwork at during the exhibit because she is “ saving money to buy a professional DLSR photo camera.” The student art exhibit at Coffee and Friends Café is a great chance for the New Media students to learn professional skills such as how to package, market and sell their artwork. “This exhibit creates a chance for the broader community to better understand what our students learn while at the center,” said CACC Principal Jeff Bohl, who is also an artist. “There is nothing that pushes students or adults to do their best work more than the natural pressure of public exhibition. It is the best natural motivator for excellent performance and product.”

Midland High School Steps into the SkillsUSA Arena

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:39:05 -0400

Corey Pavlak is not new to the SkillsUSA competitions. As a student in the Building Trades program at the Bay Arenac Career Center he competed and placed at the national level. Now as a welding teacher in his first year at Midland High School he is hoping to pass on his success to his students. Knowing the importance of Career and Technical Student Organizations, such as SkillsUSA, have on student growth and performance he started a local chapter at Midland High School.

If you are like many people and do not know what SkillsUSA is all about it is designed to prepare Americas high performance workers by providing quality educational experiences for its participants in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. This is done by building and reinforcing self-confidence, work attitudes, and communication skills. SkillsUSA also emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards, life long education, and pride in work.

There are a lot of skills students must learn and preform to be part of the SkillsUSA welding competitions. Students have to learn how to make proper weldments in various positions, materials, and directions. Corey said that “Students have to accurately read a set of blueprints and know the machine settings required for the material and weld position to produce the perfect weld that the judges will be looking for.” As one can imagine, the students put in hours of practice in hopes to be able to compete for a limited number of spots.

In preparing for the regional competition Corey picked twenty of his most skilled students to compete for the nine slots he had available. The in house competition narrowed down the students into three categories. He had three students chosen for each of the three welding processes they were going to compete in: Gas Metal Arch Welding, Shielded Metal Arch Welding, and Gas Tungsten Arch Welding. Corey had only freshman to make it to the regional competition.

The regional competition was held at Delta College on February twenty fourth. By the end of the contest Corey, in just his first year teaching at Midland High School, had one student, Axel Speer, finish second in the Gas Tungsten Arch Welding category which earns him the chance to compete at the state level April 20th-22nd in Lansing. Axel's second place finish earned him a new welding jacket and gloves, just one of the many prizes given away to students by sponsors like Airgas. Due to the skills he shown in competition Axel was also offered some scholarships. One was a $3,000 scholarship to Lincoln Technical Institute and another was a $2,000 scholarship to Northwood University. However, he has already decided to attend University of Northwestern Ohio. This is partially due to scholarships he has already earned for projects he has entered into the Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society competitions.

Corey has high hopes for Axel at this years state competition. However, he is already looking at next years events. He pointed out that his freshman student that went to regional competition this year has had exposure to the event that should give him a leg up over the competition over the next three years. With the success Midland High School has had in its first year, I expect to hear more good news from the welding program for years to come.

Bullock Creek Robotics Competition Gaining Momentum

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:36:20 -0400

The FIRST Robotics Competition is new to Bullock Creek High School. The purpose of the competition combine dedicated and enthusiastic students, teachers, engineers and other professionals in the design and fabrication of a robot to perform tasks all in a six week period. According to the First Robotics Competition's website the goal of the program is to “assimilates teams, sponsors, colleges and technical professionals with high school students to develop their solution to a prescribed engineering challenge in a competitive game environment. The competitions, combine the practical application of science and technology with the fun, intense energy and excitement of a championship-sporting event. The program results in life-changing, career molding experiences for its participants and is a lot of fun.”

According to Susan Doud the team's head advisor the game changes every year. This means that a new robot has to be designed and fabricated every year to meet the challenges of that year's competition. When I asked her about what this year's game she replied “In the six weeks allotted for building of our robot, the team has built a machine that picks up basketballs from the floor can shoot and make baskets, can push a ramp down, balance on a teeter-totter and can cross a barrier Dukes of Hazzard style.” Clearly there are multiple elements to the competition that is why teamwork is encouraged towards reaching individual team goals during the competition.

The first round of competition was held several weeks ago at Waterford. There the team placed sixteenth out of forty teams. This earned them to move on to the second round at Northville. While performing well in the second round the gear box, apparently defective from the manufacturer, failed. However, the team still beat out thirty nine other teams that day. While the failure of the gear box could have dampened the spirit the team brought home the trophy for the Northville District Team Spirit Award. This was a great end to the competition season for the team.

This brings up a great point of an idea surrounding the competition. That is the phrase gracious professionalism. Unlike most competitions where there is winners and losers, in the First Robotics Competition no one leaves feeling like they have lost. Gracious professionalism can best be described as being able to “compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process...that knowledge, pride and empathy are comfortably blended” according to the FIRST website.

This was the second year that Bullock Creek High School students have participated in the competition. The team more that doubled in size in its second season with approximately forty students participating. This allowed for a more sophisticated robot that was able to perform in each of the challenges of this year's game. Continued growth of students and sponsors is expected as work on next years competition is already on its way.

Work-Study Partnership with Non-Profit

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:30:15 -0400

Ingham Academy is a school for high school students on probation in Ingham County. The school has joined with local non-profit Peckham, Inc. that works to support employment for those with barriers to entering the workforce. Ingham Academy students, who have a variety or misdemeanors or felonies, have the opportunity to work at a variety of jobs during half the day of school, while earning high school credit toward their graduation and a paycheck.

Students who are eligible to attend the work-study program fall into two categories. The first group is those who are juniors or seniors on track for graduation. The second group is those who are nearing 18 years old and have earned too few credits to graduate on time. Having the work-study experience is a way for these students to have some positive work-based experience to leave high school with despite not earning a diploma.
The Peckham work-study program begins with the students completing a two week orientation program which familiarizes them with the facility, rules, procedures, and working environment. They also complete tax forms, get assistance in gathering the work-related documents, such as social security cards, and start a local bank account for paycheck depositing. After the orientation is complete, the students interview for a variety of jobs, and then begin their assigned job. The jobs include food service, clerical, internet sales, janitorial, clothing production, farming, and security.

From this point, “Students are imbedded with Peckham workers and managers daily, similar to a regular Peckham employee. Students are exposed to daily goals and output associated with the area they are working, improvement teams, training events, and problem solving”, says Ed Terris, Peckham Director of Manufacturing. The students sometimes struggle with adapting to the work world, and Peckham is there to support them. Terris goes on to say that “Peckham spends a great deal of time and resources trying to help students learn life-value experiences such as maintaining a work schedule, punctuality, how to handle adversity, and adherence to work-life structure.” Along with the support from Peckham, students are supported at the Academy. Terris adds that schools can better prepare students for the world of work “perhaps by educating and bringing awareness to everyday values and an appreciation for valuable every-day life experiences such as the meaning of work, respect, what it means to be successful, and commitment.”
I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the Ingham Academy Peckham work-study students who folds military jackets on the clothing production line. He said that the thing he has learned the most about working at Peckham has to do with communicating effectively with co-workers. “I had to learn how to use sign language to work with my co-workers. My co-workers wear hearing aids and use sign language to communication. Some of my co-workers speak other languages, so you have to try and figure out what they are talking about.” He also views his co-workers as the best part of his job. “You get to have fun with the people you work around. You get to meet a lot of new people, older people. They’re cool. Some of them are funny, some of them are less talkative.”

Terris sums up the greatest strengths of the Ingham Academy students by saying “The students bring much strength to Peckham in the form of creative thinking, familiarity with technology particularly in electronics, mobile devises, personal computing, and internet use. This is not to mention youth and vitality that is often contagious and fun to be around.”

New Job Awareness Program at Ingham Academy

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:28:54 -0400

An exciting new classroom vocational program has begun this year for high school students at Ingham Academy! The Ingham Academy Life Skills program, taught by Heather Algrim and Steve Swart, has collaborated with community business partner Peckham, Inc., a nonprofit community vocational rehabilitation organization in Lansing, to develop a job awareness program. The program’s aim is to better prepare Ingham Academy students in entering the world of work in part-time jobs during high school and full-time employment after graduation or college.

Ingham Academy is a high school, with one 8th grade class, that opened in 2007 for court adjudicated youth and managed by Ingham County Circuit Court, Ingham Intermediate School District, and Highfields. The main mission of the school is to provide high risk students a means of learning the life-skills essential to becoming productive members of society while earning a high school diploma.

Peckham’s expertise in the world of vocational training fits right into the Academy’s mission. According to www.peckham.org, Peckham’s mission is “to provide a wide range of opportunities to maximize human potential for persons striving for independence and self-sufficiency. We embrace collaboration, effective resource management and innovative approaches to achieve world-class excellence.”

Through this partnership, a weekly program hosted in the Life Skills classroom of Ingham Academy is facilitated by Shaun Shaltry and Sarah Britton, both of Peckham, Inc. The program focuses on teaching employment skills, job interest, and money management. Specific vocational topics include:
• Team Building
• Community Resources
• Self-Interest Inventories
• True Colors Personality Testing
• Job Searching
• Job Applications
• Budgeting
• Resumes
• Interviewing
• Barriers to Employment
• College Planning
• Transitional Planning
• Portfolio Development

The program will also be hosting two discussion panels for the students. One panel will include professionals from a variety of backgrounds and careers. The other panel will be made up of current college students from Michigan State University. Both panels give students the opportunity to learn from others in the community, ask questions and hear the stories of those who are making successful economic lives for themselves.

This academic year is the first year this program has been in place. The successful completion of the job awareness program will help Ingham Academy students find jobs in the community and even potentially work at Peckham, Inc. next year in their work-study student program, also affiliated with Ingham Academy.

Red Storm Robotics

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:41:54 -0500

Written By: Jeff Hilaski

East Kentwood High School in Kentwood, MI is in its second year of building and running a robotics team. The team “Red Storm Robotics” meets one day a week after school and is preparing for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics build and competition season which begins in January of 2012 and runs through March. The team is divided up into the following areas: programming and electronics, fabrication and build, CAD design, marketing and spirit, graphics, and web design. Randy Smith, a technology teacher at East Kentwood High School, and volunteers Dave Stutzman and his daughter Kalee all participate to make this team function. Dave specifically mentors the web team, and Kalee the programming crew. This year’s team is composed of approximately 25 students in grades 9 through 12. GE Aviations Systems is the primary sponsor of this team and donates both financial resources as well as mentoring by their engineers. The team also receives a large donation from JCPenny at the Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids, MI.

In January, students across the nation are presented with a challenge that requires a moving robot that competes together with in a robotic arena. Teams participate in a series of matches and the top 24 teams are then placed into a tournament style bracket to determine the overall winner. Based upon success in the tournament, teams may qualify for both the state finals competition as well as the national competition.

Last year, the team finished as the “highest ranking rookie team”, at the Grand Valley Regional Competition. The team made it to the quarter finals of each of their tournaments last year and qualified for the state tournament as well.

The 2011-12 team recently participated in a mock pre-season tournament at Zeeland West High School. The team competed well and was selected by the tournament committee to receive the “Gracious Professionalism Award”. This is a high honor that was nominated by a competing team to recognize East Kentwood High School.

Habitat for Humanity and Chris Garzella

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:23:41 -0500

Written By: Tom Philip, Future Building Trades Teacher

Many people think of a Construction Trades class as a dumping ground for the “less equipped” and problem students. Chris Garzella is trying to change that stereotype, and have a positive image for the building trades industry.

Chris Garzella, a veteran teacher at Van Buren ISD in Lawrence, Michigan, is doing his best to educate the youth in his class and bettering his community by giving back at the same time. He is an educator in the building trades. He has an average of 40 students per day and with partner teacher Joe Stegman. Garzella has the students once a day for two and a half hours.

Each year with the instruction of Garzella his students build a very nice home and donate it to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for humanity is a non-profit cooperation that helps homeless families into a safe, affordable, and decent home. Habitat has been around since 1976. Chris Garzella has been donating his class project of a house to Habitat for many years. For Garzella the experience of teaching students the trade of construction is very rewarding.

Garzella teaches his students many things from start to finish in his Construction Trades. The class starts out each year with assessing each group of students and gathering how much prior knowledge they already possess about construction. After this has taken place Garzella starts by teaching how to build a house from the ground up. With working with Habitat for humanity the foundation is already poured and or the basement is already in place. Garzella starts by working from the foundation up. With this challenge he has to start by building on temporary risers so when the house is finished it can be moved and placed on the in place foundation. Garzella teaches the students about how to layout a plan and communicate ideas from paper plans to a wood building. After the basic layout is set up, Garzella teaches students how to safely and correctly use hand and power tools. Garzella requires students to wear safety glasses at all times in the lab; this is his first and most important rule he said. He also has students be prepared for real world situations, he teaches them about how to work in teams to get goals accomplished. As the houses progresses and gets more built such as framing and a roof on, Garzella teaches students individual trades such as plumbing, electrical and drywall. This usually takes more time because of this has to be put in correctly to pass the inspections by the city building inspector. Also with the interior work, Garzella teaches students about fine wood working not just rough carpentry. All of the cabinetry is custom built. With woodworking students learn to be more precise with wood and have an aesthetic appeal when finished. When the inside is complete Garzella does the outside last. The house is built in two halves because of it is not possible to transport a house that large down the road. Due to this there is just water proofing on the exterior such as Tyvek House Wrap, the siding will be finished on site.

After the house is set on site and secured to the foundation, the water and electrical is that hooked to the house and the house is sided. Then it is complete and ready to move in. All in all Chris Garzella and his classroom is doing a great service for the community and teaching his students along the way. It is the best of both worlds.

2012 Perkins Funding Remains Flat

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:20:54 -0500

Written By: Charles Bruce, Future Business Educator

Despite recently publicized budgetary concerns, both congressional appropriations committees have allocated a flat level of funding for the Carl. D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act for the 2012 fiscal year. For funding to take effect, congress will still have to pass the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill, which includes Perkins funding. Currently, this portion of the federal government is being funded via a continuing resolution, which expires on December 16. If the appropriates bill is not passed, it is possible that payments under Perkins will be interrupted. However, Congress will still have the option of passing another continuing resolution and keeping the government open while they negotiate passage of the appropriations bill.

Many consider flat funding for Perkins a significant victory for career and technical education. The Budget Control Act of 2011 stipulates $1.2 trillion in broad based federal spending cuts over then next ten years. Given this reality, flat funding is a sign of broad congressional support for both Perkins and career and technical education. It is important to note that flat funding can be viewed as a cut in inflation-adjusted dollars. The $1.27 billion funding level has not changed for the last several years, despite an increase in enrollment for many career and technical education programs during that time.

Though flat funding for Perkins is a significant development, congress will need to renew the Perkins Act for funding to continue past the end of fiscal year 2012. It expires in its current form at the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2012. The current bill was passed in 2006 with strong bipartisan support. Given the job shortages in many technical fields, congress will likely see the need to continue investment in career and technical education. However, the congressional ability to fund discretionary spending will still be constrained by the Budget Control Act. If the current appropriations bill is any indicator, congress will continue to make career and technical education a priority.

Iron Woman - Chandni Haria

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:18:18 -0500

Written By: Hailey McDonell, Future FCS Teacher

When someone mentions “construction worker”, what picture comes to your mind? Probably the image of a burly man with a five o’clock shadow in a hard hat and dirty jeans. But what comes to my mind is a strong-willed, petite Indian woman named Chandni Haria. Not your stereotypical ironworker huh? Chandni’s story goes against gender role stereotypes and serves as inspiration for those who choose other non-traditional careers.

Chandni was born in India and moved to Kenya when she was five, where she stayed until she completed high school at age 15. In Kenya, she attended a British school where she was taught to speak strictly English, even though the language of the town was Swahili. She grew up in a mixed-culture neighborhood with Africans and Indians of various socio-economic statuses. At night, people stayed in their homes due to the amount of violence and robberies that took place after dark. To ensure a better future for Chandni, her family moved to the states. Her father, who had a passion for building things, was her role model. When still a teenager, she told her mother that she wanted to build things like her dad. Her mother was not thrilled with the idea, so Chandni tried accounting for a while. Soon, however, she was drawn back into her passion for construction and enrolled in the Civil Technology associate’s degree program at Macomb Community College. Out of a class of nineteen men, she and one other were selected for a prestigious summer internship in the construction field. After completing the internship many opportunities presented themselves, and upon graduation in 2007, she had several job offers from across the country. Chandni has a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and a master's degree in Construction Management from Lawrence Tech and has done everything from inspection and surveying to engineering and project management. She has worked on projects with bridges, highways, buildings, land mines, water mines, oil refineries, and wharfs. Chandni is thrilled with her line of work and is constantly “entertained” by the variety of personalities she encounters. “Because of the variety of backgrounds that come to work - it is entertainment!” she says. “I laugh a lot because it is a laid back environment where we are not supposed to be the ‘professional stereotype’, and we can be ourselves.” Chandni also added that being able to wear jeans to work every day isn’t so bad either.

Organizations, such as the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), support the employment of women in the construction industry. To increase the amount of women going into non-traditional fields, I believe young women need a strong role model, like Chandni. In the course of her career, she has only worked with one other woman. “I think women are wanted in construction. I have never been out of a job in a good or bad economy”. This does not stop with construction however; trades such as automotive and engineering also have organizations that promote the advancement and employment of women. Chandni is involved in the Society of Women Engineers and hopes to encourage more people to enter non-traditional fields.

As a woman, Chandni often sees the look of surprise on the face of employers when she enters the room for a new job. She has learned to prove herself over the years and says, “Many times when I was not confident, I still acted confident”, and that attitude has helped her reach where she is today. I can only hope that teachers will read this and share this story with their students. Teachers can assist students by promoting internships, apprenticeships, and career and technical student organizations, anything to expose the student to the many career options that exist. Just maybe, a student will read Chandni’s story and feel that it is the right path for their life, even if it goes against the social norm. Teachers can help by getting in touch with related companies and arrange for students to get a glimpse of life in a previously unthought-of career. So many doors can be opened for students if they are aware of all the possibilities that are available to them. As for Chandni, this is just the beginning. She is looking forward to many more adventures that lay ahead of her.

Newaygo Co. CTC Student Receives State Award

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 11:31:10 -0400

Author: Teresa Herman

Hannah Schmitt, a Culinary Arts student at NC RESA’s Newaygo County Career-Tech Center recently received a State of Michigan Department of Education “Breaking Traditions” Merit Award. Hannah is a senior at Hesperia High School and plans to continue her education at Baker College in the Culinary Arts program. Also receiving certificates from various programs were: Laura Anderson - Fremont High School; Tony Dorey – Grant High School; Allissa Marie Haney – White Cloud High School; and Megan Lou Woodman – Newaygo High School.

There were only fourteen Merit award recipients in the State. Hannah traveled to Lansing on May 13 to receive her award, presented by Patty Cantu, Director of Career and Technical Preparation. Accompanying Hannah at the awards ceremony were her parents David and Pam, her instructor Teresa Herman, Sandy Tower, Career Development Specialist and Carissa Campbell, Student Services Secretary from NC RESA . Hannah was chosen for her outstanding work as a student lead manager in the culinary arts class.
In her two years here at the career technical center Hannah has proven to work diligently to improve her skills. The program consists of a student led restaurant that is open to the public. While in this program a student will go through various areas of a bakery, back of the house and front of the house restaurant. At times students will work on catering events at different locations. In the students second year they will apply for a management position, were they will help assist the instructor and students in the lab. While Hannah is able to work in all facets of the kitchen, she has truly shown advancement in the baking area and worked as the student manager in the bakery..

The “Breaking Traditions” Awards are given to male or female students who have decided to pursue a career or study in a non-traditional field for their gender. The recipients have successfully persisted in following their dreams and have become valued role models for other students considering a non-traditional career.

All career and technical education instructors with a student in a non-traditional field had the opportunity to nominate a student for the award. The board of NC RESA and the staff at NCCTC congratulate the award recipients and offer best wishes for continued success on their career path.

Van Buren’s Computer Networking Program

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 11:20:47 -0400

There are many stories these days about high unemployment and a lack of jobs in this country. Don’t tell that to the folks involved with the computer networking program at the Van Buren Technology Center in Lawrence, MI. According to Denis Huffman, instructor for the program, there are plenty of jobs to go around in the field. Huffman, who is also an adjunct professor at Davenport University, states that students who complete the program have an over 90% job placement rate. This includes students that enter the workforce immediately in networking repair, network re-cabling, and basic network set up and design and those who go on to complete a post-secondary degree in computer science, which Mr. Huffman strongly encourages.

Through an articulation agreement between Van Buren ISD and Davenport University, the computer networking program at Van Buren Tech Center also offers college credit for completed courses. This is appealing to students like Austin Brewer, a deaf/blind senior at Mattawan High School who is enrolled in the computer networking program at Van Buren, who is earning college credit while attending. This coupled with some very attractive scholarships offered by Davenport, make it an easy first choice for his post-secondary education.

Mr. Huffman states that Information Technology is the fastest growing field as far as workforce size and that his networking students are in high demand. One major reason he gives for this is a federal mandate recently passed, calling for all records at hospitals, doctor’s offices, and dental offices to be digitized, electronically secured, and available online globally, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by 2014. This has pressed those in the affected sectors to look to double and even triple their IT workforce to comply with the mandate.
Another big reason Huffman gives for the demand is the serious and growing problem of electronic crimes like identity theft, bank fraud, and other information hacking. He states that the technology changes quickly and there are always new attacks that cyber criminals come up with, so students who have the skills to keep up are in high demand. Businesses like banks and hospitals that hold money and information are held responsible when their customers’ assets are stolen and when this happens it can be very costly. Businesses are willing to pay well for network security because “the cost of loss outweighs the cost of security”, says Huffman. He says that the demand so high that many of his students are recruited as college freshman and have their post-secondary studies paid for.

The computer networking program at Van Buren Tech Center is a two-year program which consists of two parts. The first part is a PC tech program which teaches basic computer repair and hardware/software. The next step students take is one of two specialties: Microsoft Networking Academy or CISCO Networking Academy, which Mr. Huffman directs. Most students will go on to a post-secondary degree in computer science for business, engineering, or other fields.

Denis Huffman has been teaching networking for ten years and worked in the field for 24 years prior to that. Questions about his program can be directed to dhuffman@vbisd.org. Additional resources used in this article were www.davenport.edu and www.vbisd.org.

The Bolt: All Electric Truck at Tuscola Tech. Center

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:55:25 -0400

Author: Julie Ward

An interview was conducted with Gene Pierce. Pierce is an instructor at Tuscola Technology Center, located at 1401 Cleaver Road, Caro, MI 48723; which is about three and a half hours away from Western Michigan University. According to Tuscola’s website, their mission statement states, “TTC offers 27 programs to 11th and 12th grade students from the local districts within the Tuscola ISD and adult residents of Tuscola County. The Tuscola Technology Center programs deliver career training and excellence and related educational services to all area residents using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. They believe:
-They are an extension of the local school districts and expand educational services
- Their programs provide a practical application of academic knowledge
-Education is a lifelong process; and all are capable of learning and can
become employable
-They promote personal growth and acknowledge individual achievement through
job skill training in a stimulated and actual work environment
-Input from business and industry is essential in the planning and development of
Curriculum and selection of equipment, materials and supplies.

The project that the students constructed was turning a gas engine truck into an electric truck. This was part of their alternative energy project. According to Tuscola’s website on alternative energy, “Students that desire learning about renewable energy technologies will be able to add these six technologies to their educational experience while enrolled at Tuscola Technology Center. Available to students enrolled in the Automotive Technology, Power Technology, Collision Repair, Welding and Fabrication, Drafting and Design Technology, Electronics Technology, Construction Technology and Agri-Science programs. The Tuscola Technology Center and its staff are proud to be an educational leader in Renewable Energy!”

According to how stuff works.com there are many reasons for the continuing interest in electric powered engine automobiles. “Electric cars create less pollution than gasoline-powered cars, so they are an environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles (especially in cities). Any news story about hybrid cars usually talks about electric cars as well. Vehicles powered by fuel cells are electric cars, and fuel cells are getting a lot of attention right now in the news.” The most noticeable change from driving an electric car compared to a gasoline-powered car is the fact that is virtually silent!
This particular project included one-hundred students’ specific input. They took a 2002 ford ranger pick up; removed the gas-powered engine and installed an electric-powered motor. The truck now will go seventy miles on a single charge. The electric truck will also go an excessive seventy miles in hour. The truck was successfully transformed from a gas-powered engine to an electric-powered engine in a whopping eight short months! The truck was purchased in September 2012 and the first protocol was done in December. The truck was officially completed in April 2012.

One of the problems that the students endured was that there were thousands of different battery types to choose from. The students had to do their research! The battery that the students finalized and that was needed for this particular truck was weighing down the back end of the truck. Oh no! Lots of engineering and problem solving had to be done. So what the students deliberated with was to level off the truck by redoing the rear suspension. The truck was now level with the correct battery intact. Another problem the students encountered was how to get the luxuries lost from transitioning the truck to an electric-powered engine.

When companies choose to do an electric conversion, (going from a gas-powered engine to an electric-powered engine) the automobile loses the luxuries of: power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, heat and defrosters. The students were faced with the challenge of developing a system that could still do all of those things so the automobile would not lost these fantastic devices. Because of the students, the truck now has an electric-powered engine, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, heat and defrosters. They had to machine everything together themselves and this is an accomplishment in its own. An interesting aspect to this project was that student got the chance to reach out for support from local companies in Michigan to other companies as far as California. This really helped them with their networking skills which helps them become employable.

The Tuscola Technology Center offers students such a great opportunity to obtain valuable work experience. It is programs like this that make CTE such a wonderful program for students who wish to enter the work force. The Blot electric-powered truck not only prepared the students by giving them experience with working in a group, deliberating ideas, trial and error, and focusing on engineering, but supplied the world with an alternative energy saver.

Underwater Welding at Lakeshore HS

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:52:57 -0400

Author: Michelle Rush

Two years ago Mr. Adam Carr, Vocational Welding Instructor at Lakeshore High asked the five students on his leadership team what they wanted to learn. The unanimous response from the students? We want to do underwater welding! Mr. Carr’s first response was a bit hesitant, only because this would be a challenging task. He thought, what a wonderful goal, but how can we attain that? Mr. Carr knew that several different things such as water, sponsors, knowledge, money, and time play a major role in getting these types of events organized, and ready to go.

Underwater welding is just as it sounds. Welding is done underwater with a special electrode applied directly to the area that needs welding. Underwater welding requires around nine months of training. According to the American Welding Society, the demand for underwater welding technologies is increasing all over the world. Job security involves factors such as supply and demand, whether or not someone is willing to move, and what other skills they may have to contribute to the job. Underwater welders can also make some big bucks! Underwater welders can expect to make anywhere between 100,000 to 200,000 per year! How much a person makes really just depends how many jobs they take per year, and their qualifications (www.aws.org). Students at Lakeshore are getting some great skills to help them become employable in the future.

To become an underwater welder, you must be certified in welding, and become certified to dive. There is no age limit but the American Welding Society does recommend that people do get a physical before participating, to make sure that they are healthy (www.aws.org). Students would need to get certified in dive training to start, and of course money could be an obstacle. Mr. Carr would need to line up sponsor, and really get dedicated students to follow through. While Mr. Carr was still pondering the idea, the next year, students still responded that underwater welding is really what they wanted to do.

Mr. Carr set out to find sponsors, as well as wrote a grant to support 24 students, each year, over the course of three years, to get certified in diving. The Lakeshore Excellence Foundation gave the program around ten thousand dollars in grants. Mr. Carr enlisted Wolf’s Marine in Benton Harbor as a sponsor as well as Sebrecht’s in Stevensville. Wolf’s Marine will be helping to get all twenty-four of Mr. Carr’s students certified in diving. Once the students get their certification, it will be valid for their lifetime.

Sebrecht’s is an underwater welding corporation, and has been a generous donor in the past to Lakeshore Public Schools. Students will be preparing for their adventure by first doing a week of videos and two weeks of lecture in the classroom. To get dive certified students must do two dives in a pool, and two dives in Lake Cora, located in Paw Paw Michigan. Students will then get to go into Sebrecht’s tank, and participate in some underwater welding.

Mr. Carr and his students are very excited about the opportunity. Though the kids will only get a small taste of what underwater welding is like, it will let them explore the field that they all showed an interest in. Mr. Carr is dedicated to helping his students find their passion in life at an early age, and get to explore what path they want to take. Students will begin their underwater dive training beginning on April 11, 2011. Once the students are certified they can then explore the field more if they choose and Mr. Carr will help them discover what path or step they will need to take next to explore more of their dream.

Art in an Envelope

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:50:47 -0400

Author: Lauren Miller

Art can come in many forms and at the Van Buren Intermediate School District is a Paper Production program that creates beautiful pieces of art into cards. The program is run by Sarah Rolback and Jennifer Watson. The unique characteristic about this program, in which stunning handmade paper is made, is that it is for special education students. The program runs from September to June first. Students who go through the Paper Production program use a number of materials, including recycled paper, to produce the one of a kind paper. The students have added flowers, coffee grounds, glitter, ribbon and many other materials to the paper to add texture color and design. Sarah says that she has several different requests, and they try to do them all. One example is that the students mixed in blueberries for a blueberry farmer. The students then go on to learn a variety of techniques to create custom cards such as: rubber stamping, dry embossing, heat embossing, etc., that can then be sold. The largest order the students have made was somewhere around 3000 cards.

The wonderful part about making a variety of different cards, from birthday to weddings and anywhere in between, is that it showcases each one of the students’ skills and talents. For example, one student may love to do stamps on the cards, while another may really like to do dry emboss. The samples of cards that I was able to look through were absolutely gorgeous. Each design was different and the cards were very unique. Every card looked better than anything in a store to purchase. The cards were really an amazing way to showcase the art by the students. The main focus is that the paper is ALL done by the students and is handmade. “There is a job for everyone, and there are many jobs to do in paper making” said Jennifer Watson. Students who go through the program don’t just learn how to make paper. In CTE this rarely is the case, students learn many other skills including soft skills, and employability skills.

This year the Paper Production program received the entrepreneurship award from the Center for Exceptional Children. Sarah and Jennifer were able to take three students to the event. They were the only group who were allowed to sell anything at the event. One student who has a speech impairment was one of the best sellers at the event. “It was an amazing opportunity for them and it was exciting to see the students be acknowledged” says Jennifer.
One main area of the Paper Production program is the collaborations. In the very beginning the students hung the paper on windows to dry. This was never easy as with larger sheets the more likely they would wrinkle. The Construction Trade program at the Van Buren Technology Center was able to build two drying boxes. Because of these boxes students no longer had to dry paper on windows which could lead to wrinkling. The Welding program also helped out the Paper Production program by making steel tables with edges where the process of making paper is now done. Also the Paper Production program is partnered with One Bead at a Time. This program is located on the other side of the state in the Detroit area, where autistic students create bracelets and key chains with beads. The Paper Production program makes the business cards that go along with the gifts. On the back of the business cards is information on both programs.

The program recycles, recycles, recycles and recycles some more. They are always asking for scraps from businesses, and anything anyone is willing to donate they will use. Even after the mixing is done, what is left is put into buckets and re-mixed into another batch. Sarah mentioned that if she likes the water, that is usually drained from mixing the paper and discarded, she will save that too!

In the next year the program hopes to create their own website with the product description of the cards. This will help to spread the word of the beautiful creations that the students are making. If you would like to find out more about the program and information about ordering, you can go to the Van Buren Intermediate School Districts Website at www.vbisd.org.

Agriscience Program Receives Living to Serve Grant

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:34:30 -0400

Author: Nick Thompson

Last fall the Charlotte Agriscience program applied for a grant through the National FFA Organization entitled “Living to Serve.” Living to Serve is a federally funded program focused on rural communities to develop, implement and evaluate community-based service-learning projects that meet a community need. Projects must utilize the skills agriculture students are learning in the classroom to meet those needs.
The grant will provide $2000 to initiate a partnership between the Agriscience Program and the Eaton Siren Shelter to provide fresh fruits and vegetables, at no cost, to those in need. Students will grow, maintain, and harvest crops year around in the school gardens, greenhouses and facilities, and will sell a portion of the crop to maintain program sustainability. The remainder of the crop will be donated to the Shelter to help offset food costs and provide fresh vegetables for the residents, as well as others in need in the community.
Not only will the Living to Serve grant provide equipment and services to get the project off the ground, it will provide education to the people receiving the produce. Students will offer recipes that include produce they are receiving, as well as facilitate food preparation workshops for the community to share cooking ideas that include fresh fruits and vegetables. The students will also distribute surveys to learn the likes and dislikes of the recipients, and then adapt growing calendars to accommodate the results.
Future plans for the project include a community garden located within the community. This garden would be a community learning center that would not only provide food for the people of Charlotte, but have resources and educational materials available that members could use to help develop their own gardens. The School also plans to add a small orchard that can be used for classroom activities as well as providing fruit for the project.
3 years ago, Agriscience Teachers Lorin Stewart and Nick Thompson set out on a mission to teach the students in the community of Charlotte, Michigan about Local Agriculture. Their plan got underway with the purchase of a 30 x 80 foot passive solar greenhouse where fresh vegetables could be grown with no heat, in the ground, year around. The project was funded with 2 grants, totaling monies of $4500 for start up. The Glassbrook Endowment Grant (funded through the Michigan FFA Foundation) provided the program $3000 for the purchase of a used greenhouse which was retro-fitted to allow the students to grow vegetables during the school year. The Capital Area Regional Foundation then supplied an additional $1500 to purchase infrastructure such as water hydrants, tools and supplies to begin production.
With the new greenhouse, students were able to plant, grow, and harvest produce while learning about structure and function in the Botany class. The project also infused business, marketing, and work-based learning aspects into the classroom. The plan has also drawn interest from many community groups such as “Celebrate Charlotte” a group devoted to promoting the patronage of local business in the community. The latest grant will add another layer of education to the initiative, Service-Based Learning.
The project stems from a need to educate students on the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. It was identified that low income families traditionally lack fruits and vegetables in their diet, and often consider these items “too expensive” when making selections at the grocery store.
The Charlotte Agriscience Department consists of two teachers who teach coursework in Botany, Leadership, Veterinary Science, Wildlife and Natural Resources, and Zoology. Teachers Lorin Stewart and Nick Thompson also serve as the advisors for the FFA Chapter. For more information regarding this project please contact Nick Thompson at Thompson@charlottenet.org.
The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

Charlotte FFA Chapter Raises over $900 for Relay for Life

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:32:42 -0400

Author: Nick Thompson

In an effort to make a difference in their community, the students of the Charlotte FFA devised a plan to promote school spirit, community involvement, and good food to raise money for the Charlotte Relay for Life Campaign.
Students of all grades enrolled in the Leadership in Agriscience course at Charlotte High School planned, managed and completed all aspects of the first ever “Hungry for Hope” cookout held Friday, October 1st before the homecoming football game.
The students prepared and served hamburgers, hot dogs potato salad, chips baked beans and dessert in exchange for a suggested five dollar donation for anyone who was willing to support the cause. All proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society upon completion of the event.
The idea began a year ago, when the FFA chapter held a cookout to celebrate 80 years of FFA in the Charlotte community. Many attendees were former students, teachers, and alumni who have been influential in the agriculture community in Eaton County for the past decade. The students and community enjoyed the cook out so much that many of them wished to see it every year. Students then began do discuss how they could use the cook out to make a difference in the community, and thus the idea of donations for Relay for Life began.
This year the FFA members served over 300 people, including the entire High School Teaching Staff, School Superintendent Dr. Nancy Hipskind, many school board members and community members. The community rallied behind the event in support with many donated items such as cookware, donated grills, and many desserts.
“It was exciting to see the support for such a great cause. Over 20 students helped plan the event, set up the tents, and helped prepare the food. It’s amazing to see students work hard to do great things for our community.” Said Nick Thompson, Agriscience Instructor and FFA Advisor for the Charlotte FFA.
The students hope to expand the event next year by gaining more support from local businesses to help offset the cost of the food that they prepared in form of donations. These businesses would then be recognized as sponsors of the event during the cook out as well as receiving recognition at the summer Relay for Life event held at the Charlotte High School Track in June.
Special thanks to Greenstone Farm Credit Services for their donation of all of the plates and napkins, the Charlotte Fire Department for the use of their tent, and all of the staff and maintenance department who worked with the students to make this event successful.
The Charlotte Agriscience Department consists of two teachers who teach coursework in Botany, Leadership, Veterinary Science, Wildlife and Natural Resources, and Zoology. Teachers Lorin Stewart and Nick Thompson also serve as the advisors for the FFA Chapter. For more information on participating or donating to next years cook out feel free to contact Nick Thompson at thompsn@charlottenet.org
The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

Berkley HS - New Online Entrepreneurship Course

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:30:36 -0400

Author: Cassie Johnson

A new class has been recently developed at Berkley High School by Marketing teacher Beth Cameron. Exploring Entrepreneurship is a new, completely online class being offered at the high school where classes are usually held in a standard classroom. The new class is changing the way high school classes are taught and in which form they are offered.

Exploring Entrepreneurship is and one semester course for Junior and Senior Students and is done entirely online. Curriculum for the course is aligned with the National Standards for Entrepreneurship Education and includes four main course goals. The first goal is to have students explore the skills and abilities they need to be a successful entrepreneur. The next goal is to learn how to develop the skills that are learned, third is to examine stages of development and investment and last is to take part in generating ideas for entrepreneurial endeavors.

To meet the four class goals there are 16 units of study.
1. Identify skills and attributes common to entrepreneurs
2. Identify past and present entrepreneurs
3. Determine if entrepreneurship is the right career path for them
4. Identify business opportunities and set goals
5. Improve their communication, math, and problem solving skills
6. Understand economic concepts including cost, types of economies, government’s role in the economy
7. Understand how to own a franchise or start a business
8. Choose a legal form of business ownership
9. Complete market research
10. Understand why they need a business plan
11. Identify their competition
12. Identify where to obtain financing for a business
13. Understand the legal, ethical and social obligations of owning a business
14. Develop a plan for becoming an entrepreneur
15. Maintain a notebook and a computer file for keeping and saving all course information and class projects
16. Utilize technology to research and solve problems

Although the course is online, Beth Cameron makes herself available for students to come into her classroom with any questions or to get help with assignments. Students are required to use a website called Moodle and must access it to work on assignments at least every other day. Much like college courses there are timelines for each assignment with open and close time in which the information can be accessed.

Berkley HS - Team 247 First Robotics Team

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:28:18 -0400

Author: Cassie Johnson

For the past eleven years Team 247, out of Berkley Michigan, has been an award winning FIRST Robotic team. Students from Berkley High School and Hazel Park High School combine to make Team 247 and compete in local, state and national competitions. The objective of the FIRST Robotics team 247 is;
“to inspire students to achieve their full potential; to assist students in developing as problem solvers, critical thinkers, and involved citizens; and to help students become aware of career pathways and
educational outcomes through an engineering based curriculum.”

The team is lead by Coach Joel Bergeron, Assistant Coach Alan Binkow and Captain Zack Medow. Returning to team this year is six Seniors, eleven Juniors and eight Sophomores. Joining these 25 veteran members for the 2010-2011 competitive season are 21 new students.

Over the years Team 247 has developed many strong business relationships with various sponsors to build an even stronger team. Those sponsors include companies such as; Terminal Supply, Team Ford FIRST, Production Tool Supply, Dyadem and M&M Lawn Care. Along with the above mentioned sponsors, Team 247 works with sister teams to further develop their skills. The sister teams are organized by Team Ford FIRST and made up of 12 teams throughout the eastern side of the state. These teams are sponsored by the Ford Motor Company and work collaboratively to promote FIRST to schools throughout the state of Michigan. The teams also have a chance to work together in a “build space” at the Michigan Engineering Zone in Downtown Detroit donated to Team Ford FIRST by the University of Michigan.

Members participating in the FIRST program are able to explore different areas of interest by joining different “subteams” within the group. These areas include; Animation, Website Design, Mechanical, Electrical, CAD, Programming and Marketing. By joining different subteams students are able to further explore different career opportunities and find an area that they really enjoy.

There are nine awards that are given to competing FIRST teams. Awards include; The Chairmans Award, Woodie Flowers Award, Competition Award, Website Award, Engineering Inspiration Award, Cooperation Award, Entrepreneurship Award, Gracious Professionalism Award and the Judges Award.

Muskegon Tech Center Opens Credit Union

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:25:59 -0400

Author: Aubrie Hoopingarner

HarborLight Credit Union has joined forces with the Muskegon Area Tech Center (MACTC) to open a student-run credit union branch. The new branch named, The Currency Corner, opened November 12, 2010. Students in the financial management/accounting program operate the credit union with the help of Sheryl Hogle, youth advisor for HarborLight Credit Union. Hogle is on site at the Credit Union during operating times which are currently Fridays during both morning and afternoon class times. This is the third student-run branch that HarborLight Credit Union has helped to start. Both Whitehall and Montague High Schools have already tested the water with great success.

Students enrolled in the financial management/ accounting program were each given $5 by HarborLight to open their own account. The instructor of the program, Sandra Goodrich, hopes that The Currency Corner will, “offer them the opportunity to learn about managing their personal finances in a hand-on environment.” Currently only staff, students and faculty that have accounts at HarborLight Credit Union are able utilize the services offered at The Currency Corner. Services available include: deposits, withdraws, check cashing and setting up new accounts.

One of the major goals of the program is to try and get students to realize the importance of saving money. In the future Hogle hopes to offer special savings accounts that would aid students in saving for expenses such as prom, spring break trips or a car. The hands-on experience is meant to show students how important it is to keep track of spending. “Students know how to spend,” Goodrich says. The tricky part may be getting them to learn to spend responsibly. The hopes are to “help them develop good money management skills,” says Hogle.

HarborLight also spends time in the classroom with students giving advice on various other financial topics such as, identity theft, personal finance, and managing credit and debt. “The Credit Union’s philosophy is that learning responsible money management is as important as earning it,” said Hogle.

The Muskegon Area Career Tech Center offers 21 different CTE programs. Programs range from Auto Body to Restaurant and Catering and everything in-between! Enrollment is coordinated by local high school counselors. Students spend part of their school day at their home school and part at the MACTC. Advisory committees are integrated into each program and are made up of local professionals. For more information or to learn how to enroll, contact the

Muskegon Area Career Tech Center
200 Harvey St
Muskegon MI 49442
Phone: 231-767-3600

Mecosta-Osceola CTE and STEM Have Gone Green

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:11:40 -0400

Author: Felicia Blair

The Students from the Mecosta-Osceola Career Center and Math, Science and Technology Centers have done it again. Students have collaborated on a two-year Engineering Team project that was sponsored through the Square One Network. The Innovative Vehicle Design Program asks that students used their combined knowledge of math, science, engineering and technology to either produce a traditional electric car ultra-light design battery operated single passenger car or a hybrid version of the vehicle. Teams use their vehicles on a distance track race and endurance car to showcase their creation and then are put to the test of displaying their sales and marketing talents at the SAE Convergence International Trade Show which was held at COBO Hall this year. The Trade Show lasts two days and students meet with CEO’s, Engineers, judges and other different area professionals from around the globe to discuss their projects and talents.

There are many different components for judging this competition including the students’ abilities to market the program as well as the teams Ambassadorship abilities. These abilities are demonstrated by their effectiveness in teaching other students, mainly at the middle school level, several math and science skills. The goal behind this is that Square One wants to strengthen the programs in math, science, engineering and technology. By attaining this students will have the opportunity to connect with other students with similar professional careers interests as well as form powerful and beneficial professional relationships with mentors at the local and national levels. Celebrating and showcasing the efforts and talents of students in projects and competitions such as these is the goal and purpose of Square One which has formally been known as the Convergence Foundation. The MOCC/MSTC Team, who has also been known as Zero Resources, has proudly earned six trophies this year as a result of their success.

As a part of Zero Resources’ idea to go green with their project, they have constructed a hybrid vehicle that runs on bio-diesel fuel to power the electric motor. This vehicle was engineered for speed while keeping conservation and ecology also as a close concern. Students have been working nonstop during the school year and into the summer months to prepare and design parts by hand for their eco-friendly vehicle. Although this hybrid vehicle was primarily the idea and design of the students, they did receive assistance from their Team Leader Mr. Doug Ward. Director Dr. Jennifer L. Harrison, Ph.D. says that Mr. Doug Ward has taught students “how to problem-solve, prototype a design, rework and solve design issues, mill and machine parts and even powder coat the finished product.”

In the Ambassador portion of their project Zero Resources has estimated that 1,440 students have viewed their booth at Mecosta-Osceola Career and Technical Education Center’s “Mini-Career Expos” and have also visited all six LEAs. Mecosta-Osceola is the first tech center to offer open enrollment to all and as a result there are students in many counties that attend the tech center. This collaboration of knowledge from different areas has only made the center and TEAM Zero Resources more successful. The Team has used this as an advantage and decided to hit the street to inform other students with their common interest of renewable energy during the ISD-Wide “Career Expo” events. Director Dr. Jennifer L. Harrison, Ph.D. says that “the Zero Resources Team has found a new appreciation for many natural resources in Mecosta and Osceola counties and they are motivated to preserve them. Engineering students and the Zero Resources Team collaborated with the Work-Based Learning staff and brought science on a road show tour to all 6 (Reed City, Chippewa Hills, Crossroads Charter Academy, Big Rapids, Evart, and Morley-Stanwood) school districts.”

Director Dr. Jennifer L. Harrison, Ph.D. and Team Leader Mr. Doug Ward are very impressed with Team Zero Resources advances and their demonstration of converting used vegetable oil into useable diesel fuel to power an engine. With advancements in technology such as these who knows what the Students from the Mecosta-Osceola Career Center and Math, Science and Technology Centers with design the next time around. Congratulations to Zero Resources on their environmentally friendly hybrid vehicle.

Welding and Art Education: A Perfect Match?

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:07:34 -0400

Author: Kristie Smauder

Ever thought about collaboration between a high school welding program and an art program? Well Coloma High School did. Last year, the welding program and the art program got together and came up with an idea that would integrate their two completely different programs.
It all began when welding and machine tools teacher, Kevin Kreitner started teaching art teacher Kristen Maniscalco how to weld during after school hours. Kristen’s background in the arts is in ceramics, functional and non-functional art. As an artist, most people want to explore other forms of art. And that’s exactly what Kristen did. Once she had learned how to weld, she started coming up with projects of her own and creating fascinating art such as making a sculpture by welding pieces of scrap steel together. It was then the idea of creating a project with the welding students and art students came into mind.
Welding is the most familiar way of joining two pieces of metal together. During the process of welding, heat is applied to metal pieces, melting and fusing them to form a permanent bond. There are all types of welding, but Coloma High School focuses on oxyacetylene, electric arc, mig and tig welding. They have and Introduction to Welding class, which is Welding 1&2. Once a student has completed Welding 2, they can receive college credit from Lake Michigan College. They can also go onto Advanced Welding, which is Welding 3-6. They also receive college credit from Lake Michigan College after students have completed Welding 4.
Last year, the Welding Students built nine dinosaurs sculptures that would be displayed all around Coloma for everyone to see for the summer. The project included 27 welding students, 3 drafting students, 3 advanced business software students, and 5 advanced manufacturing students. The sculptures were of nine different dinosaurs that are ¼ scale that include the; Stegosaurus, Spinosaurs, Pterodactl, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Dimetrodon, Triceritops, Parasaurolphus, Sacolestes, and Twin Raptors. To construct just one dinosaur, it took up to 70 student hours and the whole project had already accumulated 500 student hours. The sculptures were made out of ¼ inch thick steel sheets that were 4 feet by 8 feet. As one would imagine, some sculptures are extremely heavy. Certain dinosaurs weighed over 500 pounds and some weighed a lot less at 50 to 60 pounds.
This project is still continuing today with other ideas and sculptures, but this collaboration between the art program and welding program is a great way for students to understand connections between two subjects. This also introduces students, especially female students, into welding when it was not something they were particularly interested in. And the same goes for the welding students were introduced into a different type of art.

MCTI’s Weatherization Installer Certification Program

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 10:02:03 -0400

Author: Ahjai Jordan
Weatherization is the new wave in careers in technical education. New legislation that offers home owners incentives for energy optimization is in the works. $5 billion worth of weatherization services is already being provided for low-income families; in compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act requirements of the 2009 Recovery Act. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Families receiving weatherization services see their annual energy bills reduced by an average of about $437, depending on fuel prices. Because the energy improvements that make up weatherization services are long lived, the savings add up over time, to substantial benefits for weatherization clients and their communities, and the nation as a whole.-US Department of Energy Michigan Rehabilitation Services was made aware of this new trend, and the available funding; MCTI, which receives 100% of its student referrals from them, was giving the go head on the Weatherization Installer Certification Program. The program launched September 14, 2010. I had the pleasure of interviewing John Giltrop, Head Instructor of the new Weatherization Program at Michigan Career and Technical Institute. Instructor John Giltrop, is well versed in the up and coming trends and had a lot to share.

“Home building and new construction is shifting toward optimizations, and the energy efficiency of already built homes. It is projected that weatherization will be the fastest growing career field from now thru 2018. Unemployed building contractors are shifting towards becoming installers. In order to weatherize homes, for the purpose of increasing homes energy efficiency ratings. The home building trend is over. Home efficiency is now at the forefront. This new program at MCTI will merge with the electrical program, already being offered, in time. Phil Schmitt, the Head Electrical Instructor at MCTI, intends to incorporate technology such; as solar powered water heaters, wind power turbines, and other forms of hybrid electrical appliances, to the weatherization installers’ program. The emerging skilled trade of weatherization installer is becoming more relevant and necessary, as we shift towards improving on the world around us. These trends have been observed by market analyst; whom the home buying market is currently saturated with, though installers are in short supply. These analysts have determined that the green initiative is, both cost effective, and economically necessary. The need for skilled installers of weatherization materials is in high demand.

The Building Science Academy has partnered with MCTI. Together they are pushing for weatherization to be legitimized by the Building Science Institute, and recognized by the US Department of Labor, as an official skilled trade industry. Similar to the way skilled tradesmen; like carpenters, pipefitters, and electricians, are established and relevant technical careers.
The Obama administration has created an efficiency rating of 1-10; 1 being inefficient and 10 being most efficient. A new rating system is being established for energy efficient homes. This rating system will be the new selling point in the home buying market. Fixing what’s broken; making the homes we have more efficient is the new trend. 2 million homes need to be weatherized, that’s enough work for the next 200 years! The ultimate goal of this push toward energy efficiency is for homes to be self sufficient and completely off the grid”-Instructor Giltrop

The Weatherization Certification Program, as it stands today; is offered in 2 terms, consisting of 10weeks per term. Students receive hands-on experience with testing and calculating energy usage, structural air sealing, and installing. Various forms of insulation and completing building repairs, to ensure the customer’s home is safe and functioning properly, while optimizing building efficiency, and performance: is being taught within this vocational program. After completion of the program, students receive certification and are fully prepared for immediate employment. Entry level wages vary by geographic area, but are predicted to start at $12.04.-MCTI
Today, this weatherization program is at the forefront of the green initiative. Soon this program and others like it, will be in high demand and recognized as a skilled trade, by the US Department of Labor. Going Green is the catalyst for the emerging skilled trade industry of Weatherization Installer, and MCTI is at the forefront.

Alternative Energy: A Learning Experience

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 09:59:44 -0400

Author: Marvin F. Gonser

The cool windless November night gives way to a pink sky to the East. A harbinger of the day to come. The wind begins to stir and the blades begin their ceaseless pursuit of each other. These are blades of a windmill not from a prairie farm of yesterday pumping water, but of a modern wind turbine producing electricity. The wisp of a wind can produce electricity that multiplies as the wind accelerates producing as much as 2.4 kilowatts (DC) of electricity. The slow turning of the blades and their acceleration as the sun heats the air are like the program that it represents. It is the progenitor of new energy producers that have been or will be added.

This wind turbine located on the campus of the Kent Intermediate School District’s Kent Career Technical Center located in Grand Rapids, Michigan is one of the new alternative energy devices and programs that are going to be used as the foundation of new programming at KCTC. The turbine is part of other state of the art energy producing programming that has been or will be added to the curriculum housed in the C wing of the Center. This programming will be added to variety of curriculums already being offered to students at KCTC. Designed as a one year curriculum the program will be integrated into programs such as automotive technology, aviation technology as well as engineering and construction programs with these students rotating through the program for at least five days. One program, residential construction, is working with Habitat for Humanity which is providing experience for students to learn about housing energy efficiency and the relevancy when applying it into practice. “It is different from what you usually find in teaching, We are preparing students for collaboration and teamwork,” stated Jarrad Grandy to the Grand Rapids Press. Mr. Grandy is Assistant Director-Regional Career and Technical Education Programs, Organizational Development and Planning for the Kent Intermediate School District. Jason Kalis, Academic Support Teacher-Science,Student Services states,” Our hope is that the Alternative Energy program will draw students to KCTC who may not have considered Career-Tech an option in the past.”

Initial discussions began in January of 2009 which ultimately lead to a $100,000 grant from Energy Works Michigan. During this period a needs assessment was conducted to determine the viability for such programming. The design of the programming was conducted with partners in post secondary education such as Aquinas College, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University as well as others that are adding degree programming to course offerings. In its effort to provide educational opportunities that meet the needs of the community, Kent Career Technical Center also work with community partners in both the business and not for profit sector in designing the programming. The initial concept of the curriculum design was conducted during October 2009. The review of the design was completed by the various outside partners In May of this year this review was completed.
The inaugural programming is slated to begin with the 2011-2012 school year with the acceptance of students into the program. A focus will be placed on renewable energies but other energy formats will be explored such as battery, biofuels, advanced fossil fuels, environmental policy and other programs that will allow a student to continue their education in the areas of energy production or resource.

Available to the public is an internet site that will allow the public to view the performance of the wind turbine in its production of energy. This site gives the viewer information about the production of electricity by the system, as well as to make comparisons to usage and production. While this system is small and intended as a teaching tool the wind turbine is connected to two power inverters which supplies some useful power to the building. To view this site go to:
http://energyworksmichigan.powerdash.com/explore/
This site will provide not only the Kent Career Technical Center’s information but also information from other programs throughout the state.

Business Finance: More Than Just Numbers

Fri, 5 Aug 2011 13:16:56 -0400

Author: William Prenkert, Jr. Spring 2011 Graduate

Learning and giving are two important aspects of education that Mr. Ron Bishop, Instructor of Business Management & Finance, emphasizes to his students at the Van Buren Technology Center. The Van Buren Technology Center provides instructional courses in thirty programs of study, to over one thousand students a year from fourteen different high schools throughout Van Buren County. As part of their course requirements in the study of accounting, Mr. Bishop’s students learn the basic principles of tax preparation. The students then put the knowledge and skills they have learned into practical use by participating with the federal governments free tax preparation service knows as VITA. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is a program that offers free tax preparation help to low-to-moderate income (Generally $49,000 and below) households or individuals who cannot prepare their own tax returns or cannot afford to pay for this service.
Students volunteer to work directly with individual clients to complete all the necessary forms required by both federal and state governments. The completed forms are filled out, checked and then reviewed by the students and the instructor. They are then faxed into the appropriate agencies right from the Tech Center. So once a client leaves the center they just have to wait for their refund to arrive by mail or direct deposit. To be eligible to volunteer, students must pass a VITA approved basic knowledge and skills exam administered by Mr. Bishop through an on-line service provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To promote unity and togetherness in the classroom, all students are required to participate in the testing but the amount of time they volunteer is up to them. Mr. Bishop stated that “Participation in the program gives students a real world connection, through tax preparation, to the financial materials and projects learned during classroom instruction”.
As for the giving aspect of the program, students learn that through volunteer work they are giving back to the communities that support the Van Buren Technology Center with their tax dollars. They also learn the value and importance of working with a wide diversity of individuals from these communities. Through this program students also earn community service credits that they can apply to their home schools state graduation requirements.
Mr. Bishop also stated that “The community benefits from this program in several ways. The first and most obvious way is in the cost savings families receive on tax preparation but more importantly, it promotes a strong social relationship between the Tech Center and the community”.
The program runs from the end of January to the first week in April each year. Individuals interested in receiving this free service may come to the Van Buren Technology Center located at 250 South Street in Lawrence, Michigan 49064 or call 269-674-8954 to schedule an appointment. Students work two days a week Monday through Friday and by a walk-in first come first served basis on Saturdays. The program has been a successful endeavor for the Tech Center, students and the community for several years and according to Mr. Bishop will continue as long as there are individuals needing assistance and the federal government provides it as an option.
So far Mr. Bishop has already received several calls from community members as early as September, to make sure the program will be available this coming tax season.