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INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING PATHWAY - MINUTES
Nebraska Career Pathways Project
Pathway Meeting
FutureForce Industrial Manufacturing/Engineering Systems
February 24, 2006
Attendees: Cindy Baum (NECC), Rhonda Collins (Norfolk Sr High), Dan Davidchik (CCC),
Rick Davis (US Dept of Labor), Tracy Dodson (Columbus High), Edward Fejfer (Schuyler
Central), Tony Glenn (Dept of Ed), Lisa Jennings (Consultant), Richard Johnson (West Point –
Beemer HS), Dan Kallhoff (Vulcraft), Duane Matson (Behlen Mfg Co.), Bonnie McPhillips
(Workforce Development); Gary Nelson (CCC), John Renzelman (Wayne State), Mike Riley
(UNL), Michelle Roggasch (CCC), Harvey Rosenbaum (Norfolk Sr High), Greg Smith (CCC),
Dennis Tyson (CCC), John Vyhlidal, Jim Vyhlidal, Steve Woodside (Columbus), Suzanne
Yates (Tyco-Healthcare)
1. Introductions & Welcome –Duane had everyone introduce themselves, and Duane
Matson welcomed everyone to Behlen Manufacturing.
2. High School Pilot Progress – High Schools reported the following information
regarding the assessment instruments (Career Safe, Skills USA PDP, CALS, technical
skills checklists) that they are piloting:
Schuyler (Ed Fefjar) – Steve Williams (Manufacturing Technology instructor) has piloted the CALS assessment with 8 sophomore/junior students in January and will follow up with
an update in late April/May. Feedback from him is as follows:
Gives the teacher a way to evaluate students early on; able to visit with students
To date, no parent contact--this instrument provides parental input
Future employers may use this as a screening tool or to identify a job portfolio
Students can use as part of their job portfolio
Schuyler has ordered the Skills USA PDP startup kit and will use the same group of
students to pilot.
Tom Wheeldon (Ag instructor) is using the CareerSafe with 16 students. He would like to
continue using this instrument with other students in the future. Feedback included:
Trouble logging in
Tech support was good for lost passwords
Would use it again
Not sure about future funding
Tom Wheeldon also piloted the Welding Skills
Checklist:
Too many to cover at the high school level
Very complete list
Used as an advantage for students to take with them to college or the job
interview
Employers can get an idea that student has the knowledge and skill sets
Eliminate “and/or” in questions
Norfolk Senior High School (Harvey Rosenbaum) – Harvey is using the Welding Skills Checklist and CALS assessment.
Both checklists make the instructor review the course curriculum and goals;
English teacher is already using an instrument similar to PDP
Instruments are additional work for instructor
Norfolk is already requiring career planning and these instruments will parallel
what they are planning
West Point-Beemer High School (Richard Johnson) – Richard reported that they are
using the Welding Skills Checklist.
The checklist defines classroom activities; shows student classroom
accountability;
The school will be organizing student tours at Valmont and through the Chamber
of Commerce. Students will be able to see application of what they are learning.
Dave Hughes is using the CALS assessment in his Advanced Architecture class for grades 9-12. Students will self assess, along with teachers and parents.
Columbus High School (Tracy Dodson) –
PDP Skills USA – using in the Precision Machining class for juniors (hosted at
Central CC)
CareerSafe – being used in the jr/sr class – used their “free” assessment and
went through together as a class.
When working on CareerSafe individually, students will need headsets!
Career Safe – login and password difficulties
CALS – students will self-assess, take instrument home to parents, teacher will participate, and they need to pick one other person
Funding support is needed to continue CareerSafe in the future
Columbus Lakeview High School (Gary Nelson) –
Gary reported that Dave Green has been using the Welding Checklist and Dave
feels the checklist is a valuable tool as a curriculum guide. He said he will not get
the checklist completed (he was assured that he is not expected to get the
checklist completed.
He is planning on using the CareerSafe, CALS, and the PDP as curriculum for
substitutes during the track season, it will be easy for them to use.
Would use this instrument in the future
3. Open Houses
Gary reported that there is approximately $1,000 conduct eight Open Houses for high
schools and community colleges. Your plans should be submitted if you want dollars in
advance. Gary encouraged high schools and colleges to work together. Dan Davidchik
may be available to do a Mechatronics demonstration in connection with an open house,
contact Dan, 562-1408, if you are interested.
Tony Glenn reported that Hastings High has an open house each year during the school day.
Each technology class demonstrates and works on projects.
Mike Riley, from UNL, reported that the University would be interested in participating and
attending any of the schools’ open houses.
4. Summer Camp (Riley)
Lincoln has a Bright Lights summer camp for junior high students and is funded by the Bright
Lights Foundation. Camps are staffed by UNL graduates and junior high staff. The UNL
Engineering Dept presents ½ day with projects and activities. Camps range for half-day to
whole day programs.
Mike Riley talked about the Industrial Engineering program. This field is commonly not associated with a specific “job” or industry. Typically, the student learns manufacturing processes and design, plant layout, packaging, tool design, logistics, ergonomics and safety. Most graduates go to work in manufacturing. Key is that students must have the capability to design.
Columbus is planning on hosting a two-day camp for 10-15 students. Some of the activities:
drafting lab, design, 3-D printer, CNC, and ending up with a final product (possibly a
Christmas ornament).
5. Middle School Activities/Outreach
Some of the suggestions were:
• Get middle school students involved with camps and open houses
• Promote the video – “Dream It, Do It”
6. Engineering Awareness
Discussion on what engineering coursework a high school student should take:
Math – Calculus I, II, II – don’t have to love it; just have to tolerate it
Physics I, II, Chemistry
CAD
Skills & attributes: determination, perseverance, problem-solving
Integration of Engineering into high school coursework – Tony Glenn talked
about a program that Omaha North High School (Omaha Public Schools) is working on –
Project Lead the Way. This program has pre-engineering curriculum. The project is tied
closely with McMillan Middle School. Enrollment has gone from 9 to 180 with 12 staff
dedicated to the project.
Grand Island Northwest High School is in its 2nd year of Project Lead the Way. Teachers go through a two-week session (UNL affiliate) to qualify to teach Advanced
Placement course.
7. Industrial Manufacturing Promo Materials – Lisa Juricek shared the Industrial
Manufacturing promotional folder, inserts and specifically the Ind. Mfg insert.
Suggestions for improvement of the insert: replace pictures with UNL athletic
engineering graduates (volleyball, football), add quotes from Nebraska
engineers, success stories, Tony Raimondo and Dirk Peterson (Vulcraft) quotes,
career cluster slice, Mechatronics Education Center Project, assessment
instruments and website links.
Tony Raimondo joined the group at 12:15p. Tony provided an overview of Behlen
and its business units, and Beheln currently employs 1500 people. Other topics
included: global productivity and markets, competition, vertical vs. horizontal
business units and organizational structure, leading edge teamwork, and others.
The meeting adjourned at 1:00p. Ten people attended the Behlen tours.
Next Meeting: Scheduled for Thursday, April 20, 2006
Location: TBD
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