Searching for future career paths - Los Angeles Times
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Searching for future career paths

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Lauren Vane

At Dwyer Elementary last week, students were busy getting a head

start on their careers.

One pair of students completed a graphic design project, while

another group was concentrating on creating a computer program that

will carve a piece of wood.

Although these seventh- and eighth-graders are years away from

joining the work force, a new industrial technology lab program is

allowing them to gain hands-on experience in various technology

trades, building on the lessons they learn in other subjects.

“It’s really the direction schools are moving today, to look at

ways to integrate technology and industry,” said Dwyer Principal

Duane Cox.

“The piece that’s the most powerful is that you’re teaching

language arts and math standards while learning about technology,”

Cox said.

The program, introduced for the first time this semester, is

produced by Paxton/Patterson, an equipment supplier for technical

trades and a leading provider of technology education.

A computerized text book guides the students through the lesson

using pictures and examples. Beyond reading on a computer screen, the

students actually complete six technical tasks that the program lays

out for them.

Students have the opportunity to work on projects such as rocket

launching and taking apart an engine.

“It’s just amazing to hear the kids talking about the concepts

they learned in math, while they’re making a rocket,” Cox said.

Scott Bradbury, the industrial technology teacher at Dwyer, said

that, because it is so interactive, the program works for all

learning styles.

“It gives a chance for all students to be successful,” Bradbury

said.

Bradbury said the program gives students real-life situations that

would apply to what they’re learning.

“A friend has fallen down a cliff, how would you use a pulley

system to pull him back up?” Bradbury said as an example.

Bradbury said that by seeing how the lessons are applicable to

real life, the students become interested in the possibilities of

future careers.

“It peaks their interest,” Bradbury said. “This is the intro into

what they may do in the future.”

Cox said that the program is doing more than just showing students

the different kind of technological trades they can explore as future

careers.

“It’s taking it beyond just working on engines or motors or

robots,” Cox said. “The kids can actually start to think they might

want to design and work on these things some day.”

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