MODERN MACHINING TECHNOLOGY

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YOU'RE NOT JUST GOING TO LEARN MACHINING HERE......YOU WILL DISCOVER PRIDE!!!....WELCOME TO OUR WEB SITE 2008/2009 !!...Please have a look around and feel free to contact us...Please visit our supporters shown at the bottom of this page.

Modern Machining Technology is a high school vocational technical program that teaches students machining, CNC machining, computer aided machining (CAM), manufacturing, quality and basic mechanics. Our program is offered to high school junior and senior boys and girls and is a 2 year program that will prepare students for a career after high school or for advancement in a college related programs such as manufacturing, mechanical, production or quality engineering.

Modern Machining Technology is available to any and all students. Every student has a right to learn what they desire in an environment that encourages them to discover their capabilities.

US Steel is talking with our career center in regards to recruiting some of our students this coming spring. Students will need a technical background and must be able to pass an entrance exam. Upon acceptance, the student will then enroll in US Steel's Industrial Mechanics program to become electrical, mechanical and service workers. There is an average of 30 months of training at which time students are employed by US Steel. It could be a great opportunity for a CTE student to gain some great training for a really good paying career. Students will also have to pass a drug screening test before being accepted into the program. This will be a full time position so it will be limited to graduating students.

In April 2008, 3 of our students joined 7 Electronics Tech students in the state competitions in Indianapolis. Every student that went to Indy came back with a medal and placed in the top 5 of their events. For Precision Machining, our students took 2nd, 3rd and 5th place in state out of approximately 30 other students.

When taking this photo, I couldn't ask our students to just say "cheese" so I asked them all to say "kick ass!" I have to apologize for not remembering the places and events for the Electronics Tech students. I'm pretty sure they all know we are very proud of their hard work.

In February, we held our regional contest with students from Lake Central High in St. John. Our students took 1st, 3rd and 4th places and Lake Central took 2nd. All four of these students continued to Indianapolis to compete in the state competition in April.

Once again, our afternoon class has filled up and is closed. This has been a regular thing the past few years. We currently have 11 students signed up for the morning class and 18 for the afternoon class.

She is a Valpo student and we look forward to breaking that barrier of only having boys in our class. We want to welcome anyone and everyone who is interested in learning what we have to offer! This can be an exciting career for girls as well as boys.

We now have a DUAL CREDIT program set up with Ivy Tech. Students can currently earn 6 Ivy Tech credits immediately upon completion of 2 years of Modern Machining Technology without having to enroll in Ivy Tech. We are working on strengthening this opportunity next year where 1st year students can earn 6 credits and 2nd year students can earn an additional 6 credits for a possible 12 credits total. The "Dual Credit" program qualifies for the new Indiana "Technical Honors" program.

Our program currently has an articulation agreement with Vincennes University. If a student completes 2 full years of Modern Machining Technology with at least a "B" average, graduates high school and then enrolls in the Vincennes Machine Trades Program within 17 months after graduation, that student will acquire 3 credits for that program upon enrollment.

We also have an articulation agreement with Purdue-Calumet where students can acquire up to 6 credits after completing 2 years of Modern Machining Tech and then enrolling in Purdue's MET program within 3 years after high school graduation. We have achieved the same articulation with Purdue-North Central.

We also have a pending agreement with the Porter County Machinist Apprenticeship program where a student that fulfils the same requirements as above can enter into the second year of the apprenticeship skipping the entire first year.

Starting this school year, 2nd year students will have the option to become certified with NIMS (National Institute of Metalworking Skills). Students will have 8 machining projects and 6 online tests to complete to achieve the Level I certification. The testing process will start at the beginning of 3rd quarter and upon completion of the 2nd year, students can earn their certification. Becoming certified with NIMS also qualifies for Indiana's "Technical Honors" program.

The Indiana Department Of Education has decided to start trial testing CTE students this year using the NOCTI assessments. The tests are career specific and will measure the skill level to which our students are trained for. For this year, the test will only be a trial run to see where our students rank against a national average and it will not have any reflection on the students grade in our program. Later, the state may decide to use the NOCTI assessment tests as a standardized test for completion for all Indiana CTE programs. Students may be required to pass these exams to receive credit for our CTE programs. My confidence is high that my students will score well on the precision machining assessment with little or no change to our curriculum.

Getting Noticed:

Our class received a lot of good press in 2006. Here are some of the articles.

Open house

Award for Excellence

Award for Excellence 2

Business Magazine Article

In the early spring of 2006, the Modern Machining Technology program was given an award of excellence for being the top vocational program in Indiana for 2006. It was very impressive.

Award of Excellence Certificate

At the end of the 2007/2008 school year we had placed 75% of our 2^nd year students in full time-permanent machining and manufacturing jobs. Some of our students plan to remain at these jobs for an indefinite period, some plan to attend a college or trade school this fall and a few will remain at these jobs as they attend the state sponsored Machinist Apprenticeship program. Their employers have volunteered to assist in their tuition of the 4 year program.

We currently have 4 returning students working in shops and manufacturing facilities over the summer. These students will be returning for their 2nd year of training this fall at which time they will continue to work part time during the 2008/2009 school year.

SPRING 2007 – For the first time, we have had some of our former students complete the machinist apprenticeship program and earn their Journeyman’s Certificates. Congratulations!

Below are links to the companies and people that help support our program. They have provided us with donations and or support which makes our program unique in its structure and "award winning" in its curriculum. The value of their help cannot be measured and is greatly appreciated by myself and my students. Please visit their sites.