Page 16 - TTWIFall2023

STEM/CTE
page 16 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaywi.com

Tech Ed integral to Career and College Readiness

potosi High School industrial arts programs

In the rare event students don’t have a CTE Concentrators, and 51% earn at least
current project request, students will prepare one CTE App (certification or apprentice-
a project proposal for something they think ship).
would benefit the school or community. Stu- We continue to make plans for new
dents will also complete a Project Portfolio courses, curriculum, additions and remodels
alongside the other client tasks. to our already new facilities and equipment
Our goal is to make students as college so we can keep pace with rapidly changing
and career ready as possible. We think industries. All as we continue to strive to
industry approved certifications and youth better our program and our student outcomes.
apprenticeships are a great way to do that. “Our tech ed program is an inte-
The certifications give specialized skills and gral part in our overall system to help
resume highlights to our students pursuing our students become career and college
either college or a career alike. Currently 4 ready. While some may still think of tech-
of the 5 “core” courses have a certification nical education as an alternative to a
tied with them, with the goal for all 5 to have ‘regular education’ tract, we know that
a certification. Our youth apprenticeship in reality, tech ed works hand-in-hand
program involves a wide array of industries with the rest of our curriculum, includ-
such as technology, agriculture, medical, and ing the same high standards we expect in
hospitality. Students have the opportunity to every classroom.”
work for employers where they earn valuable — Kurt Cohen,
skills, knowledge, and credit they can apply Potosi School District Superintendent
to their educational career. These opportuni-
ties serve college bound and career driven
Potosi School District Students build many projects through- students alike.
The Potosi School District is a small, out the course, each sequential project adds This model is still in its infancy but has
rural district in the far corner of Southwest tools, techniques, and materials to a stu- shown quick growth. In the short five years www.potosisd.k12.wi.us
Wisconsin. Our mission is to focus on every dent’s skill set. Other courses like robotics we have grown the CTE program to 91%
student to develop their maximum potential, and Engineering Design, focus on the design of graduates are CTE Participants, 53% are
to foster academic excellence, along with process. Again, students are armed with
career and college readiness through high basic techniques and theories and are given
quality instruction, character education, col- opportunities to turn them into skills through
laboration, and community involvement. It is guided projects. coming in the Next issue of
with this mission that Potosi’s Industrial Arts Once students complete at least one
Programs are built to serve. core course, as well as the Engineering
When Dakota Bockenhauer, Technical Design course, they have the ability to take
Education Instructor, came to the district in Advanced Shop courses. These courses focus
January of 2018, the current program and on real world projects. Here the goal is for
facilities had been in a holding pattern for students to take the tool, technique, and TEACHING
some time. material theories
By the end discussed in the ™
of Dakota’s first “our youth apprenticeship program core courses and TODAY WI
semester, the involves a wide array of industries couple that with the
importance of the design and build-
program and its such as technology, agriculture, ing processes from
ability to produce medical, and hospitality. Students Engineering Design.
career-ready stu- have the opportunity to work for Students are allowed Agriculture
dents was obvious. employers where they earn valu- to work on their
The following year, able skills, knowledge, and credit own projects while
a community sup- completing a Project
Portfolio to guide
ported referendum they can apply to their educational and document their Construction
passed alongside career. These opportunities serve
being awarded a college bound and career driven project process.
Wisconsin Fast students alike.” Students also
Forward grant. The have the opportu- Transportation
entire facilities and nity to complete a
program were remodeled from the floor to service-learning project through the Project
the ceiling, and equipment, from computers Management course. Here students have the Giving you an opportunity to highlight
to tools, was upgraded. opportunity to form a small business, as indi-
Students start with some of the “core” viduals or groups, and work with a client to these programs in your schools!
courses including: Woods, Welding, Metals, complete a project. We typically have a long Please contact:
Structure, and Mechanics. Here students list of potential clients including community
learn basic material and technique theories members, non-profits, municipalities, and Andria — andria@teachingtodaywi.com 715-360-4875, or
and turn those into skills through guided local businesses. Students will interact with Renee — renee@teachingtodaywi.com 715-839-7074
projects. their client to complete project bids, design,
estimates, and builds of a particular project.