Page 4 - TTMNJan2023

Construction
Page 4 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Mounds View Students Build Solar-Powered Ice Fishing Houses Continued from Page 1
calculate the cost and the return on investment the connection between a career in construc- students get to see how math is applied in real
(ROI) for solar energy systems. tion and classes such as math or writing,” life. That’s powerful.”
In addition, students participate in adds Mullin. “Math is used by skilled trades The Construction and Solar Energy
fieldtrips outside of class. In the future, the professionals every day on the job. Commu- program has articulation agreements for
high school would like to invite more building nications is critical to ensuring that everyone courses within the Solar Pathway program.
trades professionals to come into the class- on a project team is doing what they should be In addition, students who would like to
room and share their insights about careers in doing at the right time. The beauty is that in complete an associate of sciences degree in
construction. the Construction and Solar Energy class, the the Solar Power track at the college have the
By mid-January, the students will have opportunity to take additional college courses
completed their solar-powered ice-fishing that meet general education requirements prior
house and will sell it to purchase materials to high school graduation, including college
needed for program’s next building project. courses in college writing, communications,
The ice fishing house will likely be sold physics, biology, and college algebra.
through an auction. “It’s important that students not only pick
up valuable skills and earn college credit, but
Building Pathways to the Future that they recognize construction as a legiti-
mate alternative to college or the military,”
The Construction and Solar Energy says Werner. “Our focus is on letting students
class is one of six courses that Mounds View experience these types of opportunities before
Public Schools recommends as part of its they graduate.”
Construction and Solar Energy pathway, a
series of courses to prepare students for a Reprinted with permission from Con-
future career in the construction industry. structionCareers.org
allows students to learn and work together to The Construction and Power pathway is
build a solar-powered ice fishing house that one of five pathways offered by the school
meets real-life building codes. district developed to prepare students for
“Any student in grades 10 through 12 can future careers. Those pathways include: moundsviewschools.org
take the course and learn skills such as basic Automotive, Business, Engineering &
plumbing, how to produce technical drawings, Manufacturing, Construction and Solar
read building plans, build models/prototypes, Technology, and Liberal Arts.
and develop safe working practices,” says The other courses within the Construction
Werner. “While at the same time, earning and Solar Technology pathway series include:
credit”.
What evolved from a conventional wood • Intro to Engineering Design I and II
construction class has turned into a partnership • Computer Integrated Manufacturing
between the Mounds View School District, • Digital Electronics
the local college, the Minnesota State Energy • Engineering and Manufacturing I, II and 10 Top Construction Careers
Center of Excellence, the St. Paul Build- III
ing Trades Council, the Minnesota Trades • Welding
Academy, and Construction Careers Founda-
tion. Through this partnership, students have Students are encouraged to take a number
access to a mobile classroom focused on alter- of general education courses to complement According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics
native energy along with the solar lab at the what they’ll be learning in the Construction
college. and Solar Energy pathways program. These Construction Manager — Median salary: $95,260
“The St. Paul Building Trades, Construc- courses include:
tion Careers Foundation, and the Minnesota • ARCC Communications Studies Plumber — Median salary: Median salary: $55,160
Trades Academy have been instrumental in • ARCC College Writing or AP Lang/
helping Irondale develop this class and cur- Comp or CIS Comp Electrician — Median salary: $56,180
riculum,” says Werner. • ARCC Physics
“We’re proud to have had a hand in craft- • ARCC Biology Solar Photovoltaic Installer —— Median salary: $44,890
ing this very special program at Irondale,” says • ARCC College Algebra
Don Mullin, executive secretary of the St. Paul Glazier — Median salary: $44,630
Building and Construction Trades Council. • Energy Concepts
“The Mounds View school district is doing an By entering into the Construction and Equipment Operator — Median salary: $48,980
amazing job and this program is making a dif- Solar Energy pathway, students start to under-
ference in the lives of young people. There is stand the importance of other subjects such as Painter — Median salary: $40,280
a huge appetite at high schools across our state math or communications to a career in con-
for programming similar to what Irondale has struction. Sheet Metal Worker — Median salary: $50,400
achieved.” “Like every other high school in America,
As part of the Multi-Craft Core Cur- we hear students lament, “Why am I study- Structural Iron and Steelworker — Median salary: $55,040
riculum, students learn from solar installation ing algebra? How am I going to use it in the
companies that send representatives to share real world?” says Werner. “Then they start to Construction Worker — Median salary: $36,860
information and insight about installing solar get into our Construction and Solar Energy
energy systems. In working with solar instal- program or our Welding program and begin
lation companies, students gain knowledge realize how important math really is to the
about the basic components of a solar energy success of their project.”
system, such as how energy works, how to “One of the aspects that I like about
prep for solar panel installation, and how to the program at Irondale is that students see