Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst received a $1.6 million Ohio Career Technical Education (CTE) equipment grant to benefit its robotics and automation program.
According to the news, this grant will only help provide equipment needed for two existing courses, Industrial Robotics and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and strengthen students’ skills in the advanced manufacturing workforce. It helps to provide more classes and program means without any restrictions. release.
An initiative has been created to deliver skills development in elementary schools for high-demand jobs that require qualifications and skilled workers to use innovative technology, and this grant will serve as a success tool for the overall program. It is stated in the release.
Career Tech teacher John Agostinelli said, “The new equipment and class offerings made possible by this grant will inspire our students and lead them to a deeper understanding and discovery of the careers they are passionate about from an early age. “It will create an experiential learning environment.” .
The grant will double the number of robots and equipment that provide one-on-one technical instruction to students, and upgrade programmable logic controller equipment to enable more challenging activities and more realistic simulations. is stated in the release.
The grant will allow Steele High School to take two additional classes: Mechatronics and Industry 4.0 Capstone.
The mechatronics course teaches students mechanical and pneumatic systems, as well as “robot vision systems from multiple brands,” and builds a foundation in detailed assembly and troubleshooting skills, according to the release.
According to the release, Industry 4.0 Capstone will enable students to use devices such as human machine interfaces (HMI), SCADA applications, RFID identification, Io-Link SMART devices, Ethernet communications, and 3D simulation and management software. .
“I am so excited to see our students gain real-world skills and credentials that are so important to Northeast Ohio’s economy,” Agostinelli said.
Students in the capstone course have the opportunity to visit local manufacturing facilities and identify current issues in the process, then develop solutions to present to partner employers.
The release states the program will offer tours, shadowing or internship opportunities with Lorain County companies Thogus Products Company, RE:Build CDI, Absolute Machine Tools and AJ Rose.
Through this program, students earn a variety of certifications including Fanuc Handling Tool Operation and Programming, Allen Bradley/Rockwell Automation PLC, Studio 5000 Logix Designer Levels 1 and 2, Certified Fluid Power Technician Levels 1 and 2, and more. You can also.
Steele High School Principal Joseph Tellier said, “We are committed to ensuring that all of our students are employed, enlisted, or enrolled in the military after graduating from Marion L. Steele High School.” “This grant will allow us to expand Steele’s makerspace/innovation space to make this happen.”
Amherst Superintendent Mike Molnar credited Agostinelli, innovation specialist Beth Schwartz and curriculum director Mackenzie Hall for compiling the materials needed for the application process.
“I’m extremely proud of this team and everything they were able to accomplish,” Molnar said. “The new facilities, courses and opportunities this grant will bring to our Comets will educate, equip and empower all students to choose their own path and make a positive impact within and beyond their communities. It covers the core of our new mission.”
