Archive for the ‘STEM Careers’ Category

Talking Directly to Advanced Manufacturing Employees Inspires Students

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013
Del Oro High School Students Tour Progressive Technology

Del Oro High School Students Tour Progressive Technology

Students participating in tours of Sacramento manufacturers repeatedly reported that the direct interaction with technicians, engineers and staff had the most impact of them. Many said that it solidified their education and career plans. The tours were part of the National Manufacturing Day and organized by Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) and the Sierra Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Collaborative.

An Oakmont High School student said, “It definitely made me more sure of my plans to pursue higher education for engineering and gave me a more clear idea what a future job might look like.”

Dan Frank, who teaches Engineering Support Technology at Rocklin High School, toured RobbJack in Lincoln, CA with his students. “As a result of the tour, my students seemed more committed to the program and can see themselves becoming technicians and engineers,” said Frank. “Students really connected to individual employees who talked to them about welding, organizing the shop using 7S or programming CNC machines to create prototypes.”

Teachers also say that the experiences are enriching their curriculum with applied academics and 21st Century Skills.

Learn more about the impact of high school STEM students touring local businesses as part of the National Manufacturers Day and how teachers are using the experience to help students refine their interest in Advanced Manufacturing careers as well as bringing real world applications into their classrooms by reading:  STEM Teachers See Impact of Manufacturing Day Tours Organized by Sierra College.


3D Printers in High Schools Prepare Students for Advanced Manufacturing

Monday, November 4th, 2013

photoSierra College STEM Collaborative recently provided 3D printers to Colfax, Del Oro and Placer High Schools to introduce Career Technical Education students to Product Design and Advanced Manufacturing careers.

See the new 3D printer at Del Oro High School.

According to a report on CNBC Disruptor Series on Manufacturing Disruptors, exponential growth is expected in 3D printing and robotics. Learn about community-based product development in second report on Quirky.

Learn more about 3D printing from the Additive Manufacturing Turning Mind into Matter — Industry Evaluation and Recommendations Report, published by Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT). The paper is intended to help both businesses and educators learn more about emerging Additive Manufacturing technologies.


Grant to Prepare Students for Advanced Manufacturing Careers

Tuesday, August 27th, 2013

Sierra College was one of only eight colleges statewide  selected to focus on the Advanced Manufacturing sector by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Division of Workforce & Economic Development.

With a $300,000 grant, Sierra College will collaborate with community colleges in the Sacramento region to fill gaps in  manufacturing workforce skills,  provide employee training customized to manufacturers, and inspire students to pursue Advanced Manufacturing careers.

Advanced Manufacturing uses innovation, automation and highly integrated, tightly controlled processes as well as new materials and capabilities to fabricate products competitively.

Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Director, Sierra College CACT, will be the Deputy Sector Navigator for this grant project. “There are excellent opportunities for high-wage jobs in Advanced Manufacturing in our region,” said Pepper-Kittredge.

“To keep current, employees require on-going training. In addition, both high school and college students must be introduced to additive manufacturing, digital design, high-tech welding and other cutting-edge technologies so that they can bring this expertise to local businesses. Through this grant, colleges and industry can work together to enhance the local economy.”


Miller Road Show expected at Sierra College in Rocklin

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

 The Miller Roadshow Truck will be at Sierra College this Saturday offering advanced MIG & TIG welding classes.

The new Sierra College Mobile Welding lab will be unveiled and attendees can take short workshops in the new lab.

PG&E and over 20 welding industry partners will provide demonstrations at the Rocklin campus. Attendees can try live as well as virtual welding.

When: Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 9am – 4:00 pm.

Who: The American Welding Society Sierra College Student Chapter is hosting this event for families, students, welders and community members.

Why: Attendees can experience metal working from blacksmithing to state-of-the-art welding technology being used in construction and fabrication to rebuild America.

 


Girls inspired to consider nontraditional STEM Careers at Sierra College

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

Sierra College faculty inspired high school girls, instilled new confidence and invited them to pursue technical careers at the first Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) event held on Friday, April 19.

Small groups, hands-on on projects, female role models, encouraging professors and a warm welcome to Sierra College were all part of the strategy to inspire girls at the NEW event according to Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Director, Center for Applied Competitive Technology Center (CACT), Sierra College. Held at the Rocklin campus, girls from Roseville, Nevada City, Truckee and communities in between were introduced to Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) education and careers paths.

“We wanted these girls to know that they can succeed in nontraditional careers and make a difference for their families, community and the world,” said Pepper-Kittredge. “The event was designed to engage girls, and help them see themselves attending Sierra College and taking computer, design, welding, Mechatronics and other Career Technical Education (CTE) classes.”

 


Weld Expo at Sierra College Saturday, April 27

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

 Discover your passion for welding, see the latest welding equipment, talk with experts, try welding, enroll in TIG or MIG advanced seminars, check out virtual welding, meet faculty and students, see pipe welding demonstrations and so much more at Weld Expo at Sierra College on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 9 am to 4 pm. Free admission and free parking.

Learn more: http://sierraschoolworks.com/section/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/96-Sparks-will-fly-at-Sierra-College-Weld-Expo-’13.jpg

 


KNCO interviews Carol Pepper-Kittredge on attracting girls to nontraditional STEM Careers

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

On Friday, April 19, girls from Placer and Nevada county high schools will experience what it might be like to study Mechatronics, Welding, Drafting & Engineering Support and other Career Technical Education programs that are nontraditional for women. Listen to the April 18 (10:25am) KNCO interview with Carol Pepper-Kittredge, CACT Director, Sierra College to learn more about this event aimed at attracting young women to STEM careers — Nontraditional Employment for Women Workshop.

NEW Flyer Sierra College STEM Event to allow girls to experience nontraditional education paths

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Sac Bee: Mechatronics students find STEM jobs

Tuesday, February 12th, 2013

In the February 12, Sacramento Bee article, Mechanical teacher has many busy grads, Cathie Anderson reports that Sierra College students in the Mechatronics program are finding excellent career opportunities in a variety of STEM businesses. She writes:

“Sierra’s program is one of only about 10 in the nation, Halbern says, and it stands virtually alone when it comes to placing students in such a range of industries.

They can work on machines that build wafers, on the equipment that puts a ring just within an acrobat’s grasp, on locomotive controls, ski lifts, automobiles, traffic lights, ATMs, escalators, elevators, self-checkout kiosks, gas pumps….” Read more of the article at the Sac Bee: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/12/5183023/cathie-anderson-mechanical-teacher.html#storylink=cpy

Students can learn more about opportunities in Mechatronics by watching this movie – Sierra College Mechatronics: STUDENTS Learn Real Skills for Real Jobs or going to www.realskillsrealjobs.com.

Through the Sierra STEM Collaborative, the Sierra College Mechatronics faculty have been very helpful to local high school programs that prepare students for STEM education and careers.


Sierra STEM Collaborative supports Tahoe Truckee Career Fair

Friday, January 25th, 2013

Sierra College and the Sierra STEM Collborative staff contributed to the success of the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District STEM Career Fair held in Fall 2012. The Sierra Sun reported on the event on November 7.


Sierra STEM Offers Career Cruising Feb. 4

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

Teachers & Counselors learn to Career Cruising at Sierra STEM Workshop

Teachers, counselors and administrators from schools that have a Career Cruising license through the Sierra STEM Collaborative can participate in training on Feb 4, from 1 – 5 PM. Mony Pal from Career Cruising will conduct the afternoon workshop. She will review system basics and how to use the four year planning tool. Participants will gain tools and resources to emphasize opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math careers.