Law enforcement students visit state police headquarters

Vo c at i o n a l U p dat e

This fall students enrolled in CAVCs Law Enforcement class had the opportunity to visit the Police Academy in Springfield, Illinois. Students were not only given tours of the facility but were fortunate enough to see some of the K-9 dogs and officers in training. This experience provided students with a first-hand look at the training associated with law enforcement. Instructor, Marcia Bedard, described the experience as an outstanding educational opportunity for her students. Collinsville ARea Vocational Center Additional future activities these law enforcement students will be participating in will require them to apply the skills they observed on this field trip and in class to simulated experiences. Students will compete with other law enforcement students across the state for top awards.

Certified Nursing Assistant students start clinicals

Certified Nursing Assistant students began their clinical experiences this fall. After receiving training in class, students are given the opportunity to apply those skills in an actual setting. Students are transported to Rosewood Nursing Home in Swansea, Illinois where they have the opportunity to care for residents at the facility. This supervised experience prepares them for the opportunities and challenges they will encounter as a Certified Nursing Assistant. The director of Rosewood Nursing Home expressed his appreciation of the C.N.A. program and the services our students are able to provide. Machining students help state police This fall, the Illinois State Police (ISP) approached Vocational Machining teacher Justin Cann with a project. Machining classes were asked to make battering rams to be used by the ISP. Students were asked to draw up plans and manufacture these devices according to the design specifications indicated by the ISP. After their construction, representatives from ISP came to class and tried the battering rams out. A few adjustments were made based on the trials. Students then created plaques and designs for the devices. It was a great opportunity for our students to give back to the community. The students really enjoyed the opportunity to apply their skills, stated Mark Anderson, Collinsville Area Vocational Center Director.

New classes

Exploring Metals
Designed for 10th grade through 12th grade. This course is a year-long class and replaces: Machine Tool Tech, Metals 1, and Metals 2. It will provide hands on experiences with both machining and welding. Students are encouraged to take semester long introduction courses in their freshman year and further their study by taking this class and/or vocational machining and welding as upperclassmen.

Pathway To Engineering | High School Engineering Program

PLTW's Pathway To Engineering (PTE) is designed to encompass all four years of high school. Courses are centered on activities that are hands-on and project-based. Students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills while using the same industry-leading 3D design software used by companies like Intel, Lockheed Martin and Pixar. They explore aerodynamics, manufacturing, and alternative energy; and apply biological and engineering concepts related to biomechanics think robotics. Students design, test, and actually construct circuits and devices such as smart phones and tablets and work collaboratively on a culminating capstone project. Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) Designed for 9th- or 10th-grade students, the major focus of the IED course is to expose students to the design process, research and analysis, teamwork, communication methods, global and human impacts, engineering standards and technical documentation. Students use 3D solid modeling design software to help them design solutions to solve proposed problems and learn how to document their work and communicate solutions to peers and members of the professional community. Principles of Engineering (POE) Designed for 10th- or 11th-grade students, this survey course of engineering exposes students to major concepts theyll encounter in a postsecondary engineering course of study. Students employ engineering and scientific concepts in the solution of engineering design problems. They develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges, documenting their work and communicating solutions to peers and members of the professional community. Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA) Students apply what they learn about various aspects of civil engineering and architecture to the design and development of a property. Working in teams, students explore hands-on activities and projects to learn the characteristics of civil engineering and architecture. In addition, students use 3D design software to help them design solutions to solve major course projects. Students learn about documenting their project, solving problems and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community of civil engineering and architecture. This course is designed for 11th- or 12th-grade students.
Engineering Design and Development (EDD)

This is an engineering research course in which students will work in teams to research, design, test and construct a solution to an open-ended engineering problem. The product development life cycle and a design process are used to guide and help the team to reach a solution to the problem. The team presents and defends their solution to a panel of outside reviewers at the conclusion of the course. The EDD course allows students to apply all the skills and knowledge learned in previous Project Lead The Way courses. The use of 3D design software helps students design solutions to the problem their team has chosen. This course also engages students in time management and teamwork skills, a valuable set for students in the future. This course is designed for 12th-grade students.