Blog Archives

North Pole Automotive Team Takes 2nd Place in National Competition!

6/23/2015

Congratulations to North Pole High School automotive instructor Jerry Million and his students Andrew Risner and Cole Vinton, who took second place in the nation in the Ford AAA Student Auto Skills Competition earlier this month!

The Fairbanks Newsminer has the complete story at http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/north-pole-auto-team-takes-second-in-national-contest/article_70e37b74-0f3e-11e5-b964-073fc075aea1.html#.VXng6r_XDbE.email.

CTE Common Definitions

6/19/2015

The state CTE Action Team (UA, EED, and DOLWD) recently released the revised "Common Definitions for Alaska Career and Technical Education (CTE)". The definitions were created to standardize the language used in Alaska’s CTE and workforce development systems. These definitions will be reviewed and validated annually. Public comment is welcome to ensure these definitions are appropriate and applicable for Alaska’s CTE community. Submit your comments, questions, or suggestions to Curtis Clough, State CTE Director, at curtis.clough@alaska.gov.

For a PDF copy of the definitions, which includes a "Perkins Addendum," please visit this link or click on the graphic below.

Alaska CEF Sponsors Heavy Equipment Capstone Course 2015

6/18/2015

From The Alaska Construction Education Foundation (CEF)

In response to industry needs for skilled Heavy Equipment Operators (HEO) and Heavy Duty Repair Technicians (HDR), CEF has worked with school districts around the state to develop ways of encouraging high school students to HEO/HDR careers. These efforts include working with local industry advisory groups to identify entry-level training and skills needed for employment or further training in their region, and developing HEO curriculum, training materials, and a HEO Program of Study, based on NCCER standards.

In early June, CEF provided 2 weeks of intensive training, dubbed HEO Capstone, for 12 dedicated young Alaskans who expressed interest in heavy equipment operation or maintenance careers. The students, who were at least 18 years of age, were selected from three participating school districts: Fairbanks North Star Borough, Lake and Peninsula, and Kuspuk. This class was offered May 25 - June 6, 2015 at the Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center, and the students were housed onsite.

HEO Capstone 2015 prepared these youth for the next step in their chosen career pathway. Students who successfully completed all requirements received NCCER Core and HEO Level 1 certificates and are listed in the national registry. They also received industry credentials, including First Aid/CPR, NSTC, OSHA 10, and Forklift cards. Students also prepared a resume and career plan to encourage a smooth transition to university, registered apprenticeship or to employment.

The Fairbanks Daily Newsminer has a great article - and more pictures - about the program - read it online here.

For more information, please contact Kathleen Castle, Executive Director, Alaska Construction Academies at Kathleen@alaskacef.org or (907) 222-0999.

i3 Scale-Up and Validation Grants Open

6/8/2015

The U.S. Department of Education announces the 2015 Investing in Innovation (i3) scale-up and validation grant competitions. The scale-up category is for the “expansion of projects supported by strong evidence of effectiveness.” Applicants must choose from one of five absolute funding priorities including:

Improving the effectiveness of teachers or principals
Implementing and supporting the transition to internationally benchmarked, college-and career-ready academic content standards
Improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education
Implementing comprehensive high school reform strategies
Serving rural communities (applicants under this priority must also address one of the other four absolute priorities)

Applications must be submitted by August 4. More information, please see the US Department of Education website.

Ag Units as Classrooms

6/3/2015

If you are interested in developing an agricultural program using hydroponics, please contact Jason Hoke, Executive Director of the Copper Valley Development Association, for more information on his program and the hydroponic CGRO units they use. Jason connected with many schools and districts at the Alaska ACTE conference last fall and at a recent Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) conference, and he would be happy to share his information with others! You may contact Jason at -

Jason Hoke
Executive Director, Copper Valley Development Association, Inc.
Mile 111 Richardson Hwy
PO Box 9, Glennallen, AK 99588
(907) 822-5001
(907) 822-5009 fax
(907) 259-5006 cell
www.coppervalley.org

Jason's program was previously featured in our Celebrate Success section.

SolidWorks Essentials Training, UAA - Aug. 18-21

6/3/2015

Professional Development Opportunity this summer - see UAA's announcement below.

Due to considerable demand, we are excited to announce that for the first time ever, we are bringing the SolidWorks Essentials Course to Alaska! Ours will be the first class held in the brand new Engineering & Industry building on UAA campus. Don’t miss out – be sure to register and join us for our four-day Essentials Training Event before all seats are filled!

Training Class Information

Dates: August 18-21st, 2015
Times: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (an hour break for lunch)
Location:

University of Alaska Anchorage
Engineering & Industry Building Room 401 - Computational Lab
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
*Free Parking*

Prerequisites: Mechanical design experience; experience with the Windows® operating system.

MCAD Instructors: Alex Worsfold and Clay Mosher | Applications Engineers

Sign-up Now >>

SolidWorks Essentials Training Information

Click Here to view Course Description.
Click Here to view the Training course pricing.
If you have any questions about training please email training@mcad.com