Page 15 - TTMNFall2026

Transportation
Teaching Today Minnesota | Fall 2026 Page 15

From Classroom to Indianapolis: OHS Students Shine in

Global Engineering Competition

Bob Statz for the Mille Lacs Messenger
More than 400 high schools across the
state of Minnesota offer classes in what was
once called “Industrial Arts,” or more collo-
quially, “Shop Class.” In the past, shop was
often a required class for male students in
junior high.
Afterward, elective Industrial Arts courses,
including auto mechanics and the building
trades, were offered to senior high students.
Times have changed over the past 50 years.
The field is now known as Career and Techni-
cal Education (CTE), with a greater emphasis
on exposing students to what are commonly
referred to as the “skilled trades” where students
gain experience in career fields such as welding,
machining, electronics, construction, coding,
automation, and much more.
With the growing popularity of the trades fied teachers on staff, especially in the field of One class in particular, Super Mileage, has and designers communicate ideas to people and
as lucrative and in-demand career paths, school manufacturing. OHS has produced a number of provided notable experiences for students and machines that help bring those ideas to life.
districts across the state are facing a dilemma: students who have gone on to find well-paying has recently put Onamia High School on the Students then move into automotive design
they want to offer these popular classes, but careers in iron-working, automotive repair, auto- map across both the state and the country. and engineering, where they learn about the
there are not enough certified teachers available body repair, and automotive recycling. Super Mileage is a capstone course automotive industry, its role in the economy, and
to fill the positions. Since joining the Onamia School District in typically taken by juniors and seniors. This auto- how fuel consumption has become one of soci-
Recently, both Onamia and Isle schools 2008, Tom Kohl has served as the CTE instructor motive engineering-based course incorporates ety’s most pressing concerns. They then apply
have posted vacancies within their respective at OHS, teaching courses in Engineering Design, concepts and skills from throughout Mr. Kohl’s what they have learned to design and build a
CTE departments. Metal Fabrication, Super Mileage, Hot Rod Fab- curriculum. highly fuel-efficient vehicle.
For the past several decades, Onamia rication, Manufacturing Technology, and Intro to The class begins with the Engineering The process begins with sketches on
High School has been fortunate to have quali- Technology for seventh-grade students. Design Process, teaching students how inventors
Continued on Page 16

Learn a Skilled Trade

Employers seek our graduates!

Many of our programs have a history of 100% placement of graduates
upon completion.
Degree, diploma and certificate options in:

Auto Body Collision Technology Construction Technology
Automotive Technology Electronics Technology
CNC Machine Tool Mechatronics Technology
Computer Aided Design (CAD) Truck Driving
Computer Engineering Technology Welding Technology

Red Wing southeastmn.edu/visit
Winona
A member of the Minnesota State College system.