The first in an occasional series about career and technical education in Cedar Rapids schools.
CEDAR RAPIDS — Metro High School senior Jordan Vanauve is building a robotic arm precise enough to pick up 3-inch-wide hexagons and launch paper airplanes.
Her class combines technical skills with traditional science and math standards required for graduation to create robots to compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge. In this challenge, teams design, build, and code robots to compete against other teams across the state and, if you like, come on ahead — from around the world.
To build a robot, students must learn to code, operate computerized machinery to cut parts with water jets and lasers, and use 3D printers.
“Students take this program,” said Matthew Sekul, an advanced manufacturing and robotics teacher at Metro High, an alternative school in the Cedar Rapids Community School District designed to give students a break from society. I’ve seen firsthand the benefits and how it builds confidence.” Traditional school model.
These comprehensive classes allow students to combine the technical skills needed for graduation with traditional standards such as math and science.
“Learning has more impact when there is challenge, competition and real-world application,” said Chuck Tonelli, a science teacher at Metro University. “There is no right answer, no worksheet. Everyone’s robot is unique and different. There are a million correct answers.”
The class size that Secl and Tonelli teach continues to grow, and available classroom space is running out as the desire to learn the skills needed in the construction and trade industries grows.
“I teach on the second floor of a building that used to be a kindergarten classroom. The ceilings aren’t high enough. You have to climb stairs to get materials into the building. What we make, they You need to be able to walk out the door, down the stairs and around the corner.”
He said the equipment used in Metro High classrooms requires an amount of power that cannot be accessed using standard wall outlets. “It’s not about buying new equipment and connecting it. The infrastructure isn’t in place.”
In this occasional series, The Gazette examines career and technical education programs in the Cedar Rapids Community School District and the infrastructure needed to carry them into the 21st century.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=/zb17yu0Qu1o
The Cedar Rapids High School addition for career and technical education is a priority in the school district’s facilities plan, which will be funded by a $220 million general obligation bond issue that will go to district voters on November 7. It’s just one of the things.
In Iowa, a 60 percent supermajority is required to pass a school bond issue (basically a loan made by the school). In passing the bond issue, voters in the district agree to repay the loan with interest through property taxes. If the bond is approved, Cedar Rapids schools’ property tax rate would increase from $14.67 to $17.33 per $1,000 of taxable value.
A renewed focus on career and technical education is also part of the district’s strategic plan, which was approved by the Cedar Rapids Board of Education last month. District leaders have set a goal of increasing graduation rates by 10 percent and ensuring all graduates graduate with college credits or industry certifications by May 2027.
Last month, the school board approved a contract with Steele Dynamics Consulting Services to provide services to develop three- to five-year action plans for college admissions and career paths. The $70,000 contract is funded by a federal magnet school grant awarded to the district last year.
As part of this effort, a strategic planning collaboration task force has been established to provide information on four to six high-skill, high-wage, high-demand career paths that meet the demands of the Cedar Rapids area labor market. Masu. Others.
The Iowa Department of Education categorizes career and technical education into six service areas.
- Agriculture, food and natural resources
- Applied science, technology, engineering and manufacturing
- Human services such as hospitality, tourism, and public safety
- Information solutions including information technology, arts, audio and video technology, communications
- health science
- Business, Finance, Marketing, Management
Iowa school districts are required to offer courses within four of the six categories.
Approximately 34% of students in the district are currently taking two or more consecutive years of career and technical education courses, according to district data submitted to the school board on Sept. 25. Approximately 14 percent of the district’s students earn college credits through Kirkwood Community College while in high school.
Tara Troster, content leader for career and technical education at Cedar Rapids Schools, said this type of learning helps students ask themselves, “What do I want to do with the rest of my life?” He said his goal is to help people discover what they are passionate about. It’s very scary. ”
The district currently offers career paths (consecutive courses of two years or more) in engineering, business and marketing, construction, education, culinary arts and computer science, Troster said. There are also basic classes in welding, automotive, interior design and manufacturing, which Troster and other educators in the district would like to see expanded.
“It prepares students for their current and future careers,” Troster said.
About 80 percent of students who drop out of high school say they could have stayed in school if they had learned in the real world and understood the connection between school and a good job, Troster said.
However, students who concentrate in career and technical education fields while in high school have an average graduation rate of 94%.
Professor Troster cited national data showing that students with disabilities who receive vocational and technical education perform better in school, are 3 percent less absent, are 5 percent more likely to graduate on time, and are employed after graduation. He said it was 20 percent more likely.
Metro High continues to focus on career and technical education, and student projects can be seen displayed throughout the community.
In May 2021, students completed an art installation that built three benches resembling the Czech pastry kolache placed in the village of Cedar Rapids, Czech Republic.
That summer, Metro High School students’ work was once again on display at the newly opened Mini Pines Miniature Golf Course in Twin Pines, where a miniature version of the Five Seasons tree sculpture was installed.
Students are currently working on building benches, planters, and compost bins for the school’s new greenhouse, which was completed over the summer. The greenhouse was funded by his $25,000 grant from the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council STEM BEST program and his $25,000 matching grant from the Wellmark Foundation. The greenhouse itself was not built by students.
By the time the project is complete, Secl said, the greenhouse will be operated by a computerized horticulture system that will water the plants, monitor moisture in the soil and even notify you when crops are ready for harvest. It is said that there is.
Metro High School senior Carlos Ibarra, 19, said the construction course was “definitely one of my favorites,” helping him explore a career in the trades while earning credits toward graduation. He said he was there.
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