November 8, 2000
Academy gives high-tech head start to students
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Getting a head start on a high-tech career, students at the Manufacturing Technology Academy have hands-on experience with robotics, computer-aided design and electronics before high school graduation.
Thirty-three juniors and seniors from schools in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties come to the Academy every morning for math, science and hands-on lab work. The students return to their home schools every afternoon for additional courses, just like students in other Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District programs.
The Academy includes an extensive lab created through a business and industry partnership. Students spend at least a month at each lab station, which also gives them a chance to work with quality assurance, computer numeric control and automated material handling.
"This program is more hands-on and I like that," said Justin Knapp, a junior from Glen Lake who wants to study engineering in college. "Most technical colleges look favorable on experience like that."
Students pace themselves in the lab and tackle real problems they would face in related industries, such as virtual machine tool design. This approach is a great fit for many students, who appreciate the chance to be self directed and get on-the-job experiences while still in high school. English, technical writing and public speaking courses round out the curriculum, teaching them to communicate effectively.
"This program is a lot different from school, it's relaxed and you set your pace," said Jonathan Wicksall, a senior from Central High School. "You get a lot of work time and really have to motivate yourself."
Internships, mentors and job shadowing are central to the real-word experience emphasized at the Academy. In fact, students must pass a rigorous application and interview process before being admitted to the Academy, just as in the real world.
Before they graduate, students have worked for at least two months in a local manufacturing or engineering company. Students also take a week during the school year to visit area companies, such as Cone Drive Textron and Boride Products, and complete projects for them. They prepare a formal presentation of their ideas for the company and a technical report.
Last summer, Wicksall interned at Federal Screw Works and found the experience very beneficial.
"I did some CAD drawings as well as sorting parts," he said. "I still work with the engineers there."
Now in its fourth year, the Manufacturing Technology Academy was jointly developed by educators and area manufacturers. Previous graduates in engineering and technology programs at major colleges, including Michigan Tech, Ferris State and Lake Superior State University. Some have moved into co-ops that help them pay for their college education.
The program has three full-time instructors and one part-time instructor. All find it very satisfying to teach in this setting, where students are motivated and eager to learn.
"From a teacher's standpoint, this is the way that math and science should be taught," said Tim Wheatley, an instructor with the Manufacturing Technology Academy. "Kids can't get enough of it here, once you give them a real task they get so excited."
Instructors also learn along with the students because keeping pace with ever-changing technology and industry demands are crucial to the program's success.
"My main goal here is to teach students to learn on their own," said Debby Oliver, an instructor at the Academy. "There's really too much here for any person to know so we teach them where to search for information."
"It does take them a while to realize that they are responsible for their own learning and their own time."