Title: Advanced Manufacturing and Electro-Mechanical Sectors Explored by Gorge Educators
Author: The Columbia Gorge STEM Hub
A group of eight middle and high school educators from the Gorge region recently delved into the world of Advanced Manufacturing and Electro-Mechanics during the 3rd annual Educator Externship organized by the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, program of of the Columbia Gorge Education Service District (CGESD).
Educators from five local school districts, Hood River, North Wasco, South Wasco, Spray, and Condon, engaged in a 3-day, immersive learning experience. The program included an introduction to the Advanced Manufacturing and Electro-Mechanical programs at Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC), as well as a tour of the Skills Center, located on The Dalles campus.
The Externship commenced with East Cascades Works, our region’s Local Workforce Development Board, providing an overview of the state’s Manufacturing landscape and workforce needs. Educators were then introduced to the Skills Center and the state-of-the-art lab equipment and software of the Advanced Manufacturing Labs and Electro-Mechanical program at CGCC. The focus was on exploring interdisciplinary approaches in the manufacturing sector. Educators had the opportunity for collaborative cross-curricular lesson planning before visiting industry sites, Zepher in Bingen, WA and Avangrid Klondike Wind & Solar Farms in Wasco, OR.
At each industry site, educators:
Received a general overview and history of the company
Participated in an interactive tour of the facility
Gained a better understanding of the technologies used
Gained a greater awareness of career opportunities, wages, and level of education associated with different positions, within each company (and the broader Manufacturing landscape).
On the last day, educators participated in Ready or Not!, a business simulation exercise alongside industry partners that was sponsored by Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP). The activity was highlighted in an article by East Cascades Works.
Justin Gradek, Senior Manufacturing Consultant from Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP), and Robert Clark and Chris Dodson, both full-time CGCC faculty in the Advanced Manufacturing program, and Jim Pytel, Lead Instructor for CGCC’s Electro-Mechanical Program, were part of the planning committee and helped facilitate discussion and conversation throughout the 3-day experience.
Reflecting on the experience, Marni Maleyft, College & Careers Teacher from South Wasco County High School, commented, “The STEM Hub created a smooth, organized, well-planned multi-day training. They made educators feel incredibly welcomed and valued. They enlisted very high quality presenters who were well prepared and invited an interesting mix of people from industry and education and made us feel like a cohesive group. CGCC faculty incorporated best practices in teaching through hands-on and immersive experiences, giving us valuable information and insight to take back to our students.”
STEM Hub Coordinator, Kate Wurster shares: “Listening to the reflections from the individual teachers was incredibly powerful! It was clearly an impactful experience for each and every one of them in unique ways. The group is very interested in keeping this momentum and dialogue going around opportunities in the Manufacturing & Electro-Mechanical sectors."
The Educator Externship is a component of the STEM Hub’s Career Connected Learning work which focuses on expanding career awareness, exploration, and preparation for Gorge youth through engaging educators and industry professionals across multiple sectors.
To learn more about the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, visit www.gorgestem.org