Posts Tagged ‘Rocklin’

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.


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.

 


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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Sierra College Auto Student wins Soroptimist Award

Tuesday, March 12th, 2013

Congratualtions to Sierra College students, Kathryn Potts who won the Women’s Opportunity Award from Soroptimist International Loomis Basin.

Potts plans to become an automotive technician or an automotive service writer. “I have always liked fixing thing and seeing how they work,” said Potts. “By working in this traditionally male field, I will be able to make a great life for my kids.”

Several Loomis Basin School District teachers also won grants at the ceremony in Loomis on February 27 to enhance thier mathematics programs:

Susan McQueen, 6th grade math and science teacher at Loomis Grammar School, received a grant to buy a supplemental math program that uses visual and kinesthetic approaches to provide students with a foundation for success with algebra.

Top LtoR: Patricia Sleizer; Susan McQueen; Tracey Curry; Dana Swain; Bobbi Nelson; Bottom LtoR Jennifer Ameigeiras; Amanda Tibbitts; Angela Smith

Tracey Curry, 1st grade teacher at Ophir Elementary School, was given an award to purchase tactile manipulative kits that can be used by students to reinforce and practice key first grade math concepts.

Dana Swain, 4th grade teacher at Placer School, received a grant for a banking project to enhance both math and history curricula. This program will reinforce the concept of decimals while working with money, and teach students about banking services, financial institutions and how money impacts us every day as a cornerstone of our economy.

Learn more at the Loomis News Soroptimist awards make a difference — Teachers, community members receive grants and awards.


Math Teachers invited to teach creativity with math

Friday, March 8th, 2013

Math teachers are invited to a professional development program offered by the Sierra STEM Collaborative: Teach creativity while reinforcing essential math skills. It will be held March 14, 2013 3:30-5 PM at Colfax High School. The instructor is Jonathan Schwartz, Math & Engineering, Colfax High School.

Who: Math Teachers in grades 4-12 looking for innovative ways to reinforce Math & Critical Thinking skills.

Why come: Gain a new tool to use in your classroom, experience using it in this hands-on workshop and benefit from hearing what your peers are doing to enhance math education. You will get one set of Core-Cards to use.

What are Core-Cards? They are an incredibly flexible set of cards can be used to teach needed fraction, decimal and percentage skills. The cards are designed to visually prompt students so teachers can use the cards to help learners of all levels. Cards are 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8 and 8/8 and the equivalent reduced fraction, decimal and percentage. A diagram also appears on the cards. To play Go Fish, students collect cards that sum up to one in the same suit. Slap Jack is an anticipatory game; they slap when the last two cards add up to one. In 21, students add cards to get close to two.

How does it teach creativity? Students use their creativity to invent their own games. Through the experience, they use critical thinking skills and experience deeper levels of understanding. Students take a test to determine what skills they need to improve. Then they develop their own games to practice the needed skills. Students can write papers and/or give presentations about their hypothesis, the game developed, how the pilot of the game went, the results of the post-game test and how well the game improved their skills. This engages students and empowers them to take a more active role in their own education. They also benefit from going through an invention design process to create their game. Once developed, the games can be played by other students in your classroom. At this workshop, learn how to coach your students effectively through this process.

Learn More: http://core-cards.com/


STEM Faculty Integrate Math Lessons into Welding

Tuesday, December 4th, 2012

Through a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant,  Sierra College Math and Welding  faculty participated in the University of West Virginia at Parkersburg (UWVP) IGNITE project to develop math lessons applied to a welding project. The results showed that students’ math skills improved significantly.

Watch the movie about this NSF project integrating math into a welding technical education class at Placer Herald Sierra College addresses skills gap by fusing math with welding (11-29-2012).

Sierra College Welding Department chair, Bill Wenzel and Katie Lucero, chair of the Sierra College Math Department, developed the new applied academic curriculum. Carol Pepper-Kittredge, director, Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT), facilitated the collaboration of faculty with the University of West Virginia on this NSF grant project.

See the photo gallery of Sierra College welding students learning applied math as part of the NSF grant at the Placer Herald Sierra College fuses math and welding

 


National Manufacturing Day — Student tours

Monday, October 1st, 2012

To attract students to highly paid, in-demand manufacturing careers, Sierra College is collaborating with businesses, high schools, Placer County and local cities to celebrate Manufacturing Day on October 5 and throughout the month. Businesses across the nation are hosting Manufacturing Day (www.mfgday.org) events to promote manufacturing careers and manufacturing’s value to the U.S. economy.

Progressive Technology Inc. (www.prgtech.com), a Rocklin–based ceramics manufacturer that makes transparent Sapphire Orthodontic Braces and components for the Aerospace, Dental, Medical, Automotive, Laser, Electronics and Analytical equipment industries, will welcome Rocklin High School Engineering Support Technology students on a tour later in October.

According to Carol Rogers, Vice President, Progressive Technology Inc. is participating because students are unaware of the interesting work in product development and manufacturing. “Manufacturing today is a highly skilled, technical career where employees work on a variety of intriguing assignments throughout the day,” said Rogers. “We hope by offering tours, all students, especially girls, become aware that working in this industry can be very satisfying and well paid.”

Other local manufacturers are hosting similar tours:

October 3 – Sierra Pacific Industries hosts Colfax High School Project Lead The Way

October 18 – Harris & Bruno hosts Rocklin High School Engineering Support Technology program

November 5 – RobbJack Corp hosts Rocklin High School Engineering Support Technology program

November 28 – Harris & Bruno hosts Oakmont High School Design Tech IB program

Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Director, Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT), helped facilitate the tours. “Students are inspired when they see appealing work environments and hear about interesting projects from employees,” said Pepper-Kittredge. “Our goal is to give students a memorable experience that motivates them to pursue mechatronics, welding, engineering, or drafting and engineering support at Sierra College and acquire the skills needed to work for local manufacturers.”

“Local high schools are offering excellent career technical education courses where students are exposed to design, drafting and fabrication using industry 3D design software and manufacturing tools,” said Pepper-Kittredge. “The tours make manufacturers aware that students are earning welding industry certifications, making robotic projects, programming CNC equipment and producing amazing designs.”

Placer County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed October 5 as Manufacturers Day explained Dave Snyder, Economic Development Director. “There are approximately 270 manufacturers in Placer County, with an annual payroll of $547 million that employ more than 7,000 residents,” said Snyder. “The Placer County Economic Development Board is hosting the 2012 Manufacturer’s Forum on Tuesday, October 30 to bring together manufacturers and elected officials.” The City of Roseville, City of Auburn, City of Colfax and Town of Loomis have also proclaimed Oct 5 as Manufacturing Day.

The Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technologies serves manufacturers and technology companies with customized training & technical support; provides entrepreneurs with access to rapid prototyping and other manufacturing technologies; and supports career technical education programs in manufacturing & product development, engineering & design pathways at the high school and college level. Additional information is available at www.sierracollegetraining.com or contact Carol Pepper-Kittredge at 916-660-7801 or [email protected].

 


Architecture Student Inspired by STEM Collaborative

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

When Peter Sushch signed up for Engineering Support Technology as a sophomore at Rocklin High School, it put him on a path that would focus his education and career plans. He benefited from the Engineering Support Technology (EST) course taught by Dan Frank of Rocklin High School. It whet his appetite for design and when Granite Bay High School’s Steve Dolan visited the EST class to describe the Architecture, Construction and Engineering ROP course, Sushch decided to enroll as a senior. As a result, Sushch is gaining work experience as an intern at Williams + Paddon (www.williamspluspaddon.com), a nationally recognized architectural firm based in Roseville, and is making plans to study architecture in college.

“I was always interested in design, art and architecture,” said Sushch. “In Mr. Frank’s class at Rocklin High School, I realized how much I enjoyed it as I got familiar with Autodesk 3D design software. In the Engineering Support Technology class, I completed projects that I eventually used to demonstrate my skills in the interview for the internship.’’

Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) has been supporting the Rocklin High School Engineering Support Technology program for several years according to instructor Dan Frank. “The engineering lab was updated substantially this year through a sub-grant from the Sierra STEM Community Collaborative, managed by Sierra College CACT,” said Frank. “The funding was used to purchase and install new Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling machines that cut materials in three dimensions as well as create a tool room modeled on industry standard practices.”

Encouraging educators and business leaders to work together to inspire students, provide technical education and prepare them for employment is the goal of the Sierra STEM Community Collaborative, explained Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Sierra College CACT Director. “Sierra College, through the Sierra STEM grant provided by California Community College Chancellor’s Office, supports college and high school programs to attract students to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM),” said Pepper-Kittredge. “The Sierra STEM Collaborative updates equipment, provides professional development for instructors, coordinates teacher externships and encourages partnerships between schools and employers.”

Brian Whitmore, Associate Principle, Williams + Paddon, is familiar with Frank’s program. “I am very impressed with what Sierra STEM and Rocklin High School have done for Peter’s skill set,” said Whitmore. “It was clear to us after seeing Peter’s portfolio that these programs offer a robust design experience that fits seamlessly with the same computer programs and skills we use here at Williams + Paddon on a daily basis.”

According to Sushch, the ROP course gave him the skills that helped land the internship. “We learned how to make an appropriate resume, how to put together a portfolio, and what to wear to an interview,” said Sushch. “Mr. Dolan helped me prepare to answer questions about my experience and advised me on what questions to ask during an interview.”

Steve Dolan explained that the Architecture, Construction and Engineering ROP program at Granite Bay High School prepares students from several area high schools to go into architecture, the trades or construction management. Through his relationships with employers, Dolan places students in internships where they can gage their interest in pursuing further training to succeed in the building industry.

“I’ve been working with Williams + Paddon since 2000,” said Dolan. “The experience provided by Williams + Paddon lights a fire that motivates students to go into careers in architecture. I saw that Peter was ready to get serious and knew he had excellent design skills so I recommended that he interview for an internship.”

Whitmore explained that Williams + Paddon is committed to exposing students to the field of architecture. “Our interest is primarily in ensuring that the future of our career remains intriguing,” said Whitmore. “We believe that by offering students an opportunity to engage with what we do, we often make a positive impression that keeps that student on that career path and eventually makes a strong addition to our industry.”

According to Whitmore, “Peter works in Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) programs to make changes requested by our quality assurance staff and uses SketchUp, a 3D modeling program, to develop base models for project designs. Peter’s work ethic and strong skills have made him an integral part of our team.”

Sushch says that he is grateful for the internship experience. “The people are great,” said Sushch. “They know my skill level so they will rarely give me something that is too difficult for me to accomplish. I like the variety of the work and they taught me many new skills, revealing the full potential of the design programs. I am very grateful for the opportunity Williams + Paddon gave me to see how work is done, and design is applied, in the real world.”

Peter plans on attending Cosumnes River College, a California Community College, to complete a two year architecture program and then transferring to Cal Poly or California College of the Arts to complete his degree in architecture. “The experience at Williams + Paddon has definitely strengthened my desire to pursue architecture as my career,” said Sushch.

Learn about the Sierra STEM Community Collaborative at www.sierraschoolworks.com or contact Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Director, Center for Applied Competitive Technologies, Sierra College, at [email protected] or (916) 660-7801.


Catapult Launches Interest in Product Development Careers

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Del Oro High School students in Loomis may never have considered how products such as phones, sun glasses and cars are designed, produced and sold. After building the Tech-Explorer catapults, developed by Sierra College in Rocklin, CA through grant funding, freshman in the Tech Essentials class discovered new skills and explored careers in design and product development.

Daniel Gayaldo, Principal, Del Oro High School says that the school has benefited from the Sierra College STEM Collaborative (www.sierraschoolworks.com). Through the partnership with Sierra College, teachers had professional development opportunities, consulted with college faculty and went on externships at manufacturers. In addition, the grant provided classroom equipment similar to what is used in industry and projects like the Tech-Explorer catapult. “The grant provided by Sierra College through the Sierra STEM Collaborative has opened up an exciting new world of hands-on experiences to our students,” said Gayaldo.

Freshmen are enthusiastic about the applied academics catapult project that included using mills, lathes and hydraulic presses according to Tom Stargaard who teaches Tech Essentials at Del Oro. “For students who have never made something from scratch or used industrial tools, it is a very empowering experience,” said Stargaard.

After completing the catapults during the week of December 12, 2011, students’ evaluations were very positive. Del Oro students reported:

“I had fun getting to work hands-on with the tools and materials. I like the amount of trust we had to do it ourselves.”

“I liked learning how to use new tools and creating something that worked.”

“I enjoyed getting to build a project by myself.”

“My favorite part was finishing it and watching it in action.”

Sierra College’s goal is to interest high school students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and careers explained Carol-Pepper-Kittredge, Sierra College CACT director, who administers the program. “The applied learning experience exposes students to product development careers,” said Pepper-Kittredge. “If students discover an interest in manufacturing, they may want to study Mechatronics, Engineering, Welding, Energy Technology and Drafting Engineering Support at Sierra College and learn more at http://www.sierracollege.edu/programs/cte/programs.html. Local employers are actively recruiting from these programs,” said Pepper-Kittredge.

Students apply math and measurement skills to produce metal parts of the catapult using hand and power tools. Then they assemble the catapults and compete against each other to see whose ball goes the greatest distance and is the most accurate. To learn more, go to www.tech-explorer.com.

The National Science Foundation and California Community College Chancellor’s Office awarded grants to Sierra College to create a pipeline of students from middle school to high school to college interested in and prepared to fill the need for skilled technical employees. For information, go to www.sierraschoolworks.com or contact Carol Pepper-Kittredge, director, Center for Applied Competitive Technologies, Sierra College, at [email protected] or (916) 660-7801.