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Career Pathways — Manufacturing
Page 12 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Student Interest in Manufacturing Path Continues to Grow

A key part of the program is partnering get into college, but I know I can take these
with area businesses. So far, about eight com- skills into the real world tomorrow . . . It really
panies have offered facility tours and donated translates to real life.”
materials for the program. Last year, five local Celotta is planning to attend a four-year
companies joined forces to purchase over college to major in mechanical engineering,
$35,000 in equipment for the lab. Angell also although he hasn’t decided on a school just yet.
regularly reviews his curriculum and ideas for No matter what he decides, he knows he will
projects with industry partners to make sure he be prepared.
is on track with what the industry needs. “Looking at a lot of these higher colleges
Senior Tyler Celotta took Project Lead and seeing the caliber and the level of equip-
the Way (PLTW) introduction to engineering ment that they are using, this really gives me a
course last year. This year, he is taking small lot of confidence to be able to go in there and
engines and welding. In the PLTW course, he hold my own against incredibly talented stu-
learned about the engineering design process dents,” Celotta explained.
and developing products in computer-aided “In middle school, I was never expecting
design, or CAD. to be able to have access to the resources we
“Originally, when I was in middle school I do, and I know a lot of kids don’t, but I feel
had all of my courses prescribed to me, so when really blessed and fortunate to have access to
I got to high school and I was looking through this. Now I know if I go to some of these labs,
the course catalog, I thought that was insanely I’m able to hold my own and understand the
Shannon Granholm career-ready courses in general metals, metals cool that I could do welding in high school,” materials and get more out of the course rather
Managing Editor, Quad Community Press technology, advanced metal technology and Celotta said. “As I progressed through my core than focusing all my time on operating the
When teacher Andy Angell started Cougar Manufacturing, a high school career class education, I realized like that I really like machines.”
working in the Centennial School District 12 technical education class that gives students science, physics and math, so I took engineer- Reprinted with permission from the Quad Com-
years ago, his classroom looked very different. hands-on instruction in the highly demanded ing and ended up really loving it.” munity Press
He was teaching photography and video engineering and manufacturing trades. He has really enjoyed the courses because
production. “The room that the shop is in right The program will teach students skills the they are hands-on and industry-based.
now was actually a technology room; where our industry is looking for while giving them an “When I take a math or English class, it is www.isd12.org
garage door is now was a green screen. Things opportunity to explore career paths and options. hard to see the translation into real-world issues
have made a full 180,” Angell said. “I think it’s important for kids at the high and or careers. I know I need those classes to
Around five years ago, Centennial Schools school, and even at the middle school, to be
began offering elective courses in manufactur- thinking about their future,” Angell said. “Our
ing. The offerings have continued to evolve as education system is so focused on the core
more students have become interested in that subject areas; a lot of kids just don’t know what How To Make Almost Anything
career path. they know … This gives them exposure into
“We recognize that there is a huge need some of those areas that are sought after and Continued from Page 10
and demand for skilled workers in this area,” can be high-paid careers.” here,” says Karen. “There are also careers for
Angell explained. He added that the Lino As an educator, Angell said his job is to get CAD technicians. With a two-year degree, they
Lakes/Blaine area happens to be congested students excited about the possibilities in manu- can earn a good living short of being a full
with manufacturing companies that are seeking facturing. “I could burn them out, doing all of 4-year degree engineer.”
highly skilled workers. the technical aspects of the welding test and how For those who are more arts and less engi-
The district began offering small engines to get certified to be a welder, but I think that’s neer, there is another path.
and robotics classes. As student interest con- tech school’s job,” he said. “I want to get these “When students spend time using the
tinued to grow and class enrollment grew, the kids hooked in manufacturing, get them excited pen tool in Adobe Illustrator, they really like
course morphed into small engines and welding. about it and then ultimately help them find that the freedom of Adobe. It appeals more to the
Beginning next year, the district will officially next step from here, whether it is right to a job, artists,” says Karen. “For those who really like
kick off its Manufacturing Pathways, a series of or helping them get into a two-year program to
further their education in manufacturing.” using Adobe Illustrator, they often look at our
design classes and graphic design or computer
art through the art department,” says Karen.
From How to Make Almost Anything,
students can go deeper into engineering, art,
design or try out something totally differ-
ent. Before they move on, they get to bask in
some success and share their work. Projects
are posted online and students “vote” and
comment on the projects they thought were the ear buds, a chess set, and her personal favorite,
best. Alex’s heart shaped puzzle was voted 3rd keycaps.
for the 3D printing project. “A student was learning Japanese so he
“The puzzle turned out really well,” says made caps for the keyboard to help him be able
Alex. “I even forgot how to do it. It had me to type in Japanese,” says Karen shaking her
stumped and then I figured it out.” head. “Now, that was a fun one.”
For Karen, it’s amazing to see what kids
figure out. She has shelves dedicated to some
of the best and most intricate or complex proj- springlakeparkschools.org
ects. There are amazing examples. There’s a
rocket pencil case, an AT-AT (from Star Wars),