Tech Center Tours Inspire Students
Book Your Madison County Career Tech Center Student Tour Now
Contact Rebecca Bucy at mailto:rbucy@mcssk12.org or call her at 66013.
Teach Alabama: Carol Caruso, Instructor
Precision Machining Technology: Jeff Breece, Instructor
Precision Machining Technology provides specialized classroom and laboratory experiences for students who are entering the field of manufacturing and engineering technology.
Instruction is provided in the areas of blueprint reading, safety, bench work, lathe work, millwork, grinding, drill press, and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) programming. Particular emphasis is given to the use of precision measuring tools and gauges.
Course content reflects the National Skills Standards of the National Tool and Die Association and the National Institute for Metalworking Skills. Emphasis is placed on the use of decision-making and higher-level thinking skills for problem-solving techniques and for applying science, mathematics, and social studies concepts to solve technological problems. Articulation programs allow students to earn postsecondary credit while taking courses at the high school level. Hands-on work experiences and SkillsUSA leadership activities facilitate opportunities
1st Year
Introduction to Precision Machining
Introduction to Lathe
Introduction to Milling, Drill Press and Surface Grinder
2nd Year
Intermediate Lathe and Bench Work
Intermediate Mill and Surface Grinder
Introduction to Computer Numerical Control
3rd Year
Intermediate Computer Numerical Control
Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing 1
Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing 2
What is Precision Machining?
The tooling and machining industry is the basis for all of the manufacturing industries, producing everything from cell phone molds to advanced aerospace and space shuttle parts. Students will gain knowledge in blueprint reading, applied mathematics, measurement, CNC set-up, CNC Programming and CAD/CAM “ Computer Aided Drafting/Computer Aided Machining” Programming.
Career Opportunities
The demand for Machinist and CNC “ Computer Numerical Controlled “ Technicians is very high. There are over 200 companies in North Alabama which employ Machinist and CNC Technicians. The Precision Machining Program has 100% job placement.
How much will the class cost?
Lab fees: $40.00 for one school year.
Potential Earnings
$8 to $12 starting wages and $20 to $25 depending on skill level, education and or experience.
What is Articulated Credit?
Students will earn college credit while in Precision Machining transferable to the 2-year college level in the same program of study.
The articulated high school courses contain the same course content as an equivalent college course and a post-secondary institution (college) has agreed to award college credit if the student meets outlined requirements in the course articulation agreement. The articulation agreement is a signed document between a high school and a college that indicates the specific responsibilities of the high school and the college, and the students in order for credit to be awarded.
Precision Machining students can earn free college credit through Alabama’s Statewide Articulation Agreement in the Machine Tool Technology Degree at the two year college level.
For more information visit:
http://altechprep.org/articulate.html
Precision Machining students have the opportunity to participate in the dual enrollment program through J.F. Drake State. For more information visit:
http://www.drakestate.edu/Articles/dual_enrollment_offers_head_start_on_college_credits.aspx
The term dual enrollment simply means that a student is enrolled in college at the same time he/she is enrolled in high school. By taking courses which qualify for dual enrollment, these students are able to amass college credit hours either through their high school or on a local college campus.
Horticulture: Scott Cheyne, Instructor
What is Horticulture?
Horticulture is a broad and diverse field involved with producing and utilizing a multitude of specialized plants. Benefits of this industry to all people are both physical and emotional. Horticulturists provide the fruits and vegetables so important to good nutrition. Horticulturists also improve the human environment, through both beautification and conservation, by providing the ornamental plants and designs utilized to enhance aesthetics within and around the home, workplace, and other areas.
Career Opportunities
Environmental management, greenhouse production, nursery crop production, fish and wildlife management, landscape design, lawn care services, turfgrass management are some of the endless possible career opportunities in horticulture.
How much will the class cost?
Lab fees: $40.00 for one school year.
Potential Earnings
$8 to $12 starting wages and $20 to $25 depending on skill level, education and or experience.
1st Year
Horticulture Science
Environmental Management
Fish and Wildlife Management
2nd Year
Landscape Design and Management
Greenhouse Production Management
Nursery Production and Management
3rd Year
Sports Turfgrass Management
Residential Landscape Establishment and Management
Supervised Agricultural Experience:
The SAE is a required component of a total agricultural education program and intended for every student. Through their involvement in the SAE program, students are able to consider multiple careers and occupations, learn expected workplace behavior, develop specific skills within an industry, and are given opportunities to apply academic and occupational skills in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. Through these strategies, students learn how to apply what they are learning in the classroom as they prepare to transition into the world of college and career opportunities.
Medical Academy: Jermey Ebert & Leah Stutheit, Instructors
The Health Care Science course is designed to prepare students to become a healthcare worker of the 21st century, by utilizing technology and simulation learning. Skills to be learned includes vital signs, patient assessment, nursing assisting, pharmacy, and CPR/First Aid.
Courses Include:
1st Year
Foundations of Health Science
Human Body Structure and Function
Medical Terminology
2nd Year
Therapeutic Services
Intro to Pharmacy
Diagnostic Services
3rd Year
Health Science Internship
*Optional- Dual Enrollment with CCC EMT Course
Certification include CPR, First Aid, Teen CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), OSHA 10 Hour, Pharmacy Technician, EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), and/or EKG Technician
Internship will include rotations as Huntsville Hospital and surrounding community healthcare work places for hands on experience.
Welding Technology: Collier Mastin, Instructor
Qualified welders are in high demand all over the world. Arc welding is the process of joining similar metals using a high-intensity electric arc at temperatures ranging from 1,500 degrees to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Metals or alloys are heated to the melting point allowing them to flow together thoroughly until they solidify. Welders are needed to build cars, ships, bridges, nuclear projects, boilers, buildings, metal art and furniture, trains, join pipe for transporting fluids, and a myriad of other applications.
This course provides education and training in current and emerging technology, which will enable students to enter employment and/or prepare students for further education and training. The standards are based on American Welding Society (AWS) and National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) national standards and are designed to provide the specialized skills needed to excel in the vast welding industry. Welders are employed in government, commercial, military, construction, skilled trades, research, technical sales, inspection and entrepreneurs, as welders, inspectors, sales persons, research, instructors, engineers, metallurgist and a wide array of other career choices.
Instruction includes but is not limited to Ox-Acetylene cutting, Plasma Cutting, Shield Metal Arc Welding (Stick Welding), Gas Metal Arc Welding (Mig Welding), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (Tig Welding) and Blueprint Reading. Students when applying themselves will weld fillet, butt, lap, corner, and groove welds on mild steel, aluminum and stainless steel in the flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions. Spark your future with a promising and lucrative career in welding.
Collision Repair Technology: Jacoby Rice, Instructor
The content standards are based on the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) national standards and are designed to provide the specialized skills, attitudes, and technical knowledge relevant to automotive collision repair.
Instruction includes, but is not limited to shop safety, welding and cutting, basics panel repair, advanced panel repair, trim accessories and hardware, plastic repair, structural analysis and damage repair, refinishing, detailing, mechanical and electrical systems, estimating, use of manuals, price lists, and record keeping.
Particular emphasis will be given to the use of decision making and problem solving techniques in applying science, mathematics, communication, and social studies concepts to solve technical problems. In addition, instruction and training are provided in the proper care, maintenance, and use of tools and equipment and all local, state and federal safety and environmental regulations.
Work-Based Learning Program: Demaris Jenkins, Instructor
Purpose\Objective
The Purpose of Work-Based Learning Education is to provide work-based experiences/apprenticeships (Paid) or internships (Unpaid) in licensed enterprises that typically cannot be obtained in the classroom.
Students will work a minimum of 8-10 hours per week in an approved job placement.
Work-Based Learning Goals and Benefits
Through Work-Based Learning, students have the opportunity to explore how classroom instruction connects to the world of work and future career opportunities.
· Offers a source of skilled and motivated future employees.
· Provides an opportunity to prepare and train future employees.
· Development of learning and workplace competencies.
· Improvement of student employability.
· Increased awareness of nontraditional career opportunities.
Requirements For Admissions
· Must be a junior or senior
· Must have obtained concentrator status (two courses within a CTE program, prior to enrollment in Work-Based Learning Program.
· Have successfully completed Business Technology Application or Career Preparedness.
· On track for Graduation.
· Must have completed an application for enrollment.
· Must have three positive teacher recommendations.
· Have acceptable attendance, grade, and discipline records, as validated by the Work –Based Learning Coordinator.
· Have participated in a student interview to review information on the application, and to discuss parental/guardian support of participating.
Cosmetology: Peggy O'Neal and Annette King, Instructors
Cosmetology is the art and science of beautifying and improving the skin, nails, and hair and includes the study of cosmetics and their applications. Cosmetologists “are often the initiators of style and change”.
In 2014, Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the employment pool for this career path is about 663,300 professionals . Through the year 2022, the BLS estimates that job demand for licensed hairdressers, barbers and cosmetologists will grow approximately 13%, which is on par with the average for other professions. 2014 data says that cosmetologists earn a mean annual wage of $27,940 per year before tips, but cosmetologist salary depends on a number of factors.
1st Year Introduction to Cosmetology
Chemical Service
Introduction to nail
2nd Year Hair Coloring
Intro to Spa
State Board Practicum
3rd Year Advanced Spa
Salon Practices
Nair Art Applications
A link to Cosmetology students' services: https://www.madison.k12.al.us/Schools/mcctc/aboutus/Documents/Cosmetology%20Price%20List%20October%202015.pdf
Plumbing and Pipe-fitting: Mr. Donny Dean, Instructor
The plumbing industry is a basic and substantial part of every developed economy.
Specialized plumbing tools include pipe wrenches, flaring pliers, pipe vice, pipe bending machine, pipe cutter, dies and joining tools such as soldering torches and crimp tools. New tools have been developed to help plumbers fix problems more efficiently. For example, plumbers use video cameras for inspections of hidden leaks or problems; they use hydro jets, and high pressure hydraulic pumps connected to steel cables for trench-less sewer line replacement.
This is an industry-funded NCCER accredited course.
This is first ever program where the state and local industry is working hand in hand with the local school system to educate and develop entry level Journeyman Plumbers. If you attend this course from your sophomore to senior year you will be eligible to take your journeyman's license exam upon graduation. You will learn and train with the latest in plumbing technology and material.
You can participate in the Co-Op program with local plumbing companies during your senior year. There is a high possibility of summer job placement with local companies.
Here are some comments by Sparkman ninth Grade Students after they toured the Tech Center:
Bri - The program that interested me the most at the career tech center was the course on crime investigation and law. The teacher seemed to really enjoy teaching the class, which always makes or breaks a class for me. I want to be a lawyer when I grow up, so I think that that class would benefit me. I also enjoyed the vehicular body shop class. My dad was very interested in the cosmetic details of cars, so I grew up with him doing the things they do in that class. I really enjoyed going to the career technical center and touring the courses.
Monique - The program I was mostly interested in was the Teach alabama program. I would love to explore and learn more about teaching. One of the things I really liked about this program was getting to actually go out to classrooms and help teachers. The teacher of the class said they do this three days a week. I also liked the teacher. She seemed nice and funny.
Ghassan - The medical academy was the one that interested me. It interested me because the dolls they had heartbeats and a stomach sound to it. it was cool to see all the different body parts. I like how with the dolls it looked liked a hospital. This was a fun trip. I can't wait to go to the tech center.
Hanna - On the trip I saw two programs that interested me. The two programs are Cosmetology and Health Science. I am interested in Cosmetology because if you learn how to do hair properly, it'll be a great way to earn quick money on the side of whatever else you're doing. I'm interested in Health Science because I want to go into the medical field for my career so that class would really help me and it will let me know if I want to do that for a living. Going on that trip was a great thing because I got to see what programs they had available.
Wilbur - The program that interested me the most was the Collision Repair program. I feel that since it is so hands-on, I won't forget what I learn. I also like the instructor. He seems experienced and knows what he is doing. I also feel that the Law and Safety program would fit me. I have a lot of family background in the police force and many of those things that they are teaching I have already learned.
Braden - The program that interests me the most is the medical program. I want to be an orthopedic surgeon which requires a lot of schooling and specialized training. Why not start nearby and get credit for it? I would like to participate in the program to get some experience and be able to excel during the actual hands-on training required to become an MD. It could really put me a step ahead of the rest.
Justin - I was interested in the welding program, collision repair, and the law enforcement programs. I liked them because they seem more hands on then sitting in a classroom and doing book work or sitting through a lecture. I liked the law enforcement class the best because you get to perform take down moves, learn more about law, perform mock trials, and learn about murderers. I liked the welding too because you can actually weld metal instead of sitting through someone talking about it. I liked the collision repair because I like working with cars also.