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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