Sierra College CACT Tech-Explorer project inspires students to consider tech careers
ROCKLIN – The only accredited high school in northern California that meets in a mall will provide students with a hands-on manufacturing experience building catapults on Wednesday Jan 28, starting at 11 am. The Einstein Education Center (http://www.ycoe.org/depts/ssis/) is located in County Fair Mall at 1264 E. Gibson Rd., Suite C-327 in Woodland.
Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) Tech-Explorer (www.tech-explorer.com) catapult project introduces skills that students might use in technical or manufacturing careers. According to Sandra Scott, Director of Workforce Development for Sierra College, the hands-on Tech-Explorer catapult project engages students and makes academic studies more relevant.
“Project-based learning allows students to apply what they are learning in the classroom to real skills used in the workplace,” said Scott. “This project introduces students to local, highly paid in-demand careers such as technicians, product designers and engineers.”
Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) careers are in demand reports Nicholas Terrell for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in STEM Occupations http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2007/spring/art04.pdf. The report shows that “STEM workers earned about 70 percent more than the national average in 2005, according to BLS” and the average wage for STEM occupations in 2005 was $64,560 compared to $37,870 for all occupations. (pg. 29 BLS Occupational Outlook Quarterly Spring 2007) The BLS recommends: “Preparation should begin in high school, with coursework and extracurricular activities focusing on honing problem-solving skills. (pg. 30 BLS)
This short-term, turn-key applied academic project meets State of California secondary education standards. For more information, contact Sandra Scott, Sierra College Workforce Development at (916) 781-6244 or go to www.tech-explorer.com.
The mission of the Einstein Education Center is to offer an alternative competency-based route to a high school diploma for youth that have left school or are not succeeding in traditional high schools.
The mission of the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies is to support companies with employee training, technology deployment and industry development. Since 1997, the Sierra College CACT has supported manufacturers and technology companies in Northern California from Sacramento to the Oregon border. For more information, go to www.sierracollegetraining.com or call (916) 781-6244.
