PR2010 Jul U1
SHELTON STATE HELPS STUDENTS AND COUNSELORS EXPLORE TECHNOLOGY
TUSCALOOSA – Shelton State Community College will once again host area high school students and counselors for
its summer Technology Exploration Programs. This year high school students will attend July 12-22, while counselors
will benefit from three days on the College’s C.A. Fredd and Martin Campuses, July 19-21.
The Exploring Technology program, now in its fifth year, offers area high school students who plan to graduate in
2011 and 2012 an opportunity to explore career options in more than a dozen different technology programs. The
main focus of this program is to offer all students a “hands-on” experience and to furnish them as much information
as possible about educational and career opportunities. The innovative program was created to assist students in
making an informed career-path decision, to create an awareness of career opportunities in the West Alabama area, to
bridge the gap between high school and college, and to enhance the visibility of technical programs at Shelton State
Community College to high school students.
All West Alabama public and private high schools were invited to participate in the program. Participation
qualifications include plans to graduate in 2011 or 2012, a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, a good attendance
record, good school standing, and recommendation from the school principal. This year the College will welcome
more than 100 students to campus and provide instruction in the following areas: Machine Tool Technology and
Computerized Numerical Control; Industrial Electronics and Electrical Technology; Welding Technology; Carpentry;
Health Care; Auto Mechanics; Drafting Technology; Commercial Art; Diesel Mechanics; and Culinary Arts and
Commercial Food Service.
Participating students choose two areas that interest them from any of the programs that are offered. Students stay
with one program for one week and begin a second program in the second week to observe and participate in class
and lab activities. The main focus of the course is to offer all students a hands-on experience and to furnish them with
as much information as possible about their educational and career opportunities.
“I spent both weeks in Diesel Mechanics because I liked the program so much,” says Timothy Meggs, a student who
participated in last year’s program. “The environment was very friendly and safety was paramount. I learned about
diesel engines and also helped build two engines. The shop was well equipped with tools, parts, engines, and drive
trains from all types of diesel applications that made it feel life-like. My short time during the two weeks influenced
me even more to enroll in the program as a college student after I graduated from high school.”
Counselor’s Technology Camp will be held July 19-21, 2010, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., on the Martin and C.A. Fredd
Campuses. Offered for the second year, the counselor camp is an effort to provide learning experiences for high
school counselors in the career/technical programs offered at the College. By attending this program, counselors will
learn to: educate students about the advances in career/technical programs; knowledgeably recommend technical
career-paths to prospective students; create a greater awareness of career opportunities in the West Alabama area; and
bridge communication between students and the College.
Dividing time between both Shelton State campuses, counselors will spend three days participating in class and lab
activities for technical programs and will visit local industrial facilities. Additionally, counselors will be provided with
information concerning necessary procedures for Dual Enrollment and Accelerated High School options for students.
“I had a wonderful and informative experience,” says Sammy Hughes, school counselor at American Christian
Academy. “I discovered that my knowledge about the Technical Division was way too limited. I found that that there
are technical careers for students of all academic abilities. Additionally, I was impressed with the affability of the
faculty and staff that provided a pleasant and inviting work and learning environment. I am continuously thankful for
the time invested in the Counselors' Technology Camp.”
For more information about the Exploring Technology Program, call 205.391.3931.
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