Page 14 - TTMNJan2023

Auto Tech
Page 14 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Paving a Road to Success

autonomous vehicle, who were on-hand to
answer questions and provide examples of
other projects in the works. The experience
was shared out in a weekly update video and
can be enjoyed at http://bit.ly/3wrGimE.
Allowing students the opportunity to
have conversations and make connections
with those in the automotive industry has
been an important part of our program design.
Another pivotal element has been to provide
students the opportunity to explore continuing
education options and meet with local profes-
sionals. More than 30 students recently spent ences, alumni support and career pathway
the day touring a local college and a full-ser- coaching, opportunities for workshops
vice automotive repair business. During the and special programs, and the opportunity
tours, students were able to survey courses to earn industry-recognized credentials.
and programs available to them if they chose Outside of the classroom, students have
a career in the transportation industry and see access to internships, job placement and job
the operation of a locally owned repair facil- shadow opportunities, and trades ambassa-
ity. This day was a huge success for White dor programs.
Derek Doescher the Department of Labor and Industry, intro- Bear Lake’s Automotive Program and the White Bear Lake Area Schools is able to
Automotive/ Powersports Instructor duced students to the industry and allowed automotive industry. At the end of the day, provide these high quality transportation edu-
White Bear Lake Area High School them a glimpse into career options they might one student walked up to Mr. Doescher and cation opportunities to students in partnership
The 2022-23 school year has provided not have considered. The special event was told him, “I ‘hate’ you Mr. Doescher. I, now, with local industry partners and the Minne-
want to go on to additional schooling after
White Bear Lake Area Schools students a covered in a weekly video update produced high school again.” sota Department of Labor and Industry.
variety of opportunities to engage and connect by the district and can be found at https://bit. The White Bear Lake Area Schools
with professionals in the transportation indus- ly/3iZIiz9. Automotive Career Pathway, one of seven
try. Through hands-on learning experiences At the high school level, our students Pathway programs offered by the district,
both in and out of the classroom, our students were some of the first in the state to study provides students with knowledge gained www.isd624.org
are seeing real world career options as they autonomous vehicles as part of their curricu- through coursework and hands-on experi-
plan for their futures. lum. One class activity included an exclusive
Inspiring tomorrow’s technicians, look at Bear Tracks, a low-speed, driver-
mechanics and engineers can begin at any less, electric, multi-passenger shuttle that is
grade level. The District’s Career Pathways a pilot project of the Minnesota Department
Transportation program and Automotive of Transportation and multiple partners. The
Instructor Derek Doescher hosted the first vehicle, the second of three planned con-
Transportation Career Day for middle nected and automated vehicle demonstration
schoolers. More than 150 eighth graders projects coordinated by MnDOT and the first
participated in hands-on activities with vis- in the Twin Cities metro area, drove students
iting local automotive industry partners and through the schools’ parking lot. The students
with the Minnesota Transportation Center of witnessed firsthand the technology involved
Excellence’s educational trailer. The event, in the project and learned about the teamwork Did you know: Concrete is the second most widely-used material on
which was a part of the Youth Service Train- that went into creating the shuttle from rep- the planet. Aggregates are found in practically every building and struc-
ing (YST) grant that the district received from resentatives of the companies that built the ture. These materials are literally the building blocks of our society.

There’s no better foundation for your future.

Considering a career in concrete? ARM of Minnesota can help!
We provide scholarships for stu-
dents in the following disciplines ARM of Minnesota is the local
at Minnesota universities: sponsoring group for ACI
(American Concrete Institute)
 Construction Management
certification programs. See our
 Civil Engineering website below for certification
 Geology classes and dates.

Looking for a career with immediate employment
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founding member and sponsor of the Concrete
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Learn more at: www.armofmn.com | (952) 707-1250