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Program boosts engineering careers
Although engineers and engineering technologists are in high demand nationwide, not enough students have gone into - and stayed with - those careers to meet the need in this rapidly changing field. Clackamas Community College's Mike Mattson, department chair of manufacturing technology at CCC, and instructor Craig Anderson were among Oregonians interested in doing something about that.
One solution came to them after they partnered with Oregon Institute of Technology associate professor Tim Brower and others to work on the problem. Along the way, they discovered Project Lead the Way. They found the nonprofit organization's curriculum perfect for CCC's interests. They wouldn't have to "re-invent the wheel." Brower secured a $200,000 grant that trained the first batch of PLTW teachers. And OIT became the Oregon affiliate university for
PLTW.
PLTW, based in New York State, promotes pre-engineering courses for middle and high school students by forming partnerships with schools. The organization developed a four-year sequence of courses that, combined with high school math and science, introduces students to the scope and discipline of engineering and engineering technology in a hands-on approach that shows them how their skills are applicable.
CCC offered two PLTW courses in 2006 - its first year - enrolling about 80 high school students. The curriculum prepares high school students for college engineering courses, so they'll be less likely to contribute to the national attrition rate for college engineering, which exceeds 50 percent.
Mattson said that students who finish the PLTW curriculum in high school could find employment as engineering techs or in engineering-related fields, even if they don't go on university-level engineering studies, which makes PLTW even more attractive to those who offer it and to students who take the courses.
One goal of the program now in place at CCC and a few other Oregon locations is to increase interest and awareness among female and minority students. Mattson said that "selling" PLTW courses to females remains a marketing challenge. Another challenge is substantial start-up costs, which Mattson estimates at $10,000 to $100,000 for teacher training and the necessary kits, materials, and computer-integrated manufacturing equipment. Each summer, PLTW teachers must take an intensive two-week training session provided by OIT.
"This program is the best thing since sliced bread, as far as I'm concerned," said Mattson. "It's hands-on, very structured, and teaches students how to think about problem-solving. It gives them higher math and problem-solving skills that can be used across many areas. It's great for more mature kids who are serious. They do very well, as do kids who are extremely bright but bored."
CCC is working toward become a certified PLTW site, which takes a couple of years.
Contacts
Barbara Metcalf, OIT, (Oregon Affiliate University for PLTW)
541-885-1494
Project Lead the Way Web site: www.pltw.org
Mike Mattson or Craig Anderson CCC, 503-657-6958
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