Next Generation Manufacturing

Educators: Externships

Externship Summary

RCNGM Leader: Doug Couture, Montville High School

Brooklyn, CT

Externship: Whitcraft

Lessons Learned

The most useful thing I witnessed during my externship was the high level of communication that existed between management, tool makers, machinists, and other staff. The incorporation of technology to enhance this communication was also impressive. I also was able to follow the tool making process, from the conception of a tool to the actual making of the tool.

The most challenging part of my externship was trying to find ways to help using my own skill sets. I ended up doing Smartboard training for the engineering department and I also helped make parts for tools using a Bridgeport.

My curriculum project met my expectations. Based on the student survey, most of students felt that problem solving skills were a big part of manufacturing process. Many of my students commented that it was hard work to come up with ideas, even after doing research. I think that communication and teamwork skills helped and hindered a number of groups. I had two classes do this project. In both classes some teams were successful in dividing up the work and responsibilities, others were not. Each team’s successes and failures were more readily apparent because the project was more competitive and more like the real world than a regular classroom project. Each student could see an end product that was either a success or a failure.

I asked many questions of the staff about various classroom project ideas including questions on how to fabricate sheet metal materials for my robots. One employee was particularly helpful in another classroom manufacturing project idea I had that is not related to the one I submitted. I’ll implement this other project on guitar making next semester.

Impact on Student Learning

The more real world and competition based a project is the more enthusiasm and student participation you will have. I felt that this project excited my students and I had a high level of participation in class. Although they had fun, most of my students realized that hard work and problem solving abilities are embedded in a manufacturing venture. Some thought the project was too hard but most of my students did well in the end.

Externship Sustainability

I created a rubric template for this project (see attached). This template is being used now by my fellow technology education teacher. I also talked to a number of my peers about my experience this past summer.

Most of my classes are project based. I’m going to use my rubric template for all of my projects in class. I think it’s a great way to show students that math, science, technology, communication skills, and writing and reading are integral parts of any manufacturing venture. They are not separate subjects in my class. Hopefully students will realize the importance of each skill set and appreciate the complex nature of real world manufacturing projects.

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Educators: Externships

Externship Summary

Lessons Learned

Impact on Student Learning

Externship Sustainability