Apr 21, 2018 | CTE Administration, Professional Development, Tid Bits
The NH Department of Education Bureau of Career Development is happy to announce that pre-registration for the NH-CTE Summer Conference 2018 is now open. All of NH’s CTE community is invited to attend August 14th-16th at Plymouth State University. The cost of the conference is FREE! When you click on the pre-registration link you will receive details about this year’s conference strands and format. A good deal of cluster/program time planned, as well as, an exhibition of student work and a vendor fair. If you and/or your students would like to be part of the exhibition of NH-CTE work please sign-up here.
Speak to your administration in order to discuss potential support for transportation and housing costs should you choose to stay in Plymouth overnight. For conference questions please contact Courtney Ritchings. If you would like to invite students to join us and have their work included in the exhibition, please review the attached document and reach out to Jennifer Kiley. We look forward to seeing everyone in Plymouth this August!
Apr 21, 2018 | Film/Video & Photographic Arts, Other, Radio & Television Broadcasting Technology, Tid Bits
The Video and Broadcasting Program of study at Nashua Technology Center of Nashua South High School received the prestigious Excellence in Action Award from Advance CTE. The award honors innovative and effective Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs across the nation. The Video & Broadcasting program of study exemplifies excellence in providing relevant work-based learning opportunities through sustained partnerships with education, community and industry leaders; integrates rigorous academics; meets college and career readiness standards, and has demonstrated substantial evidence of student success and achievement. Full Article
Apr 21, 2018 | CTE Promotion, Tid Bits
Career and technical education (CTE) programs such as those offered at MST — which feature academically and professionally rigorous classes and send graduates off to postsecondary programs at high rates — may be uniquely positioned to prepare young adults for the future of work. Full Article
Apr 19, 2018 | Article
Although often referred to as “soft,” teamwork, communication, problem solving and critical thinking are skills in high demand in the workplace today, which makes the NH ProStart Invitational so unique.
Held in early March at UNH, this culinary competition pits high school teams from across the state against one another, as they demonstrate these skills through the preparation of a three-course meal in 60 minutes. According to Mark Cahill, lead culinary arts instructor at Pinkerton Academy, there is several mitigating factors that make this competition particularly difficult.
“They only have access to two camp-style butane burners with no electricity or running water,” he said. “It’s intense, but the judges still expect a high-end restaurant quality menu.”
The efforts by students at Pinkerton Academy paid off, as they placed first (two years running) in the culinary division with a menu Cahill said you would expect at any fine dining establishment.
“They did an incredible job,” he said. “I’m very proud of their accomplishment.”
The Menu
Pan-Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras
Pickled Watermelon Radish, LaBelle Blueberry Wine Soaked Cherries, Sweet Potato Nest, Caramelized Pearl Onions, Orange Liqueur Reduction
$23
Espresso-Rubbed Bison Strip Steak
Rainbow Swiss Chard, Tourne of Purple Potato, Parmesan Tuille
Samuel Smith’s Chocolate Stout Pan Sauce
$32
White Chocolate-Lavender Bavarian
Passion Fruit Infused Whip Cream, Gewürztraminer Poached Asian Pears
Spun Sugar, Honey-Wine Reduction
$12
The next stop for the culinary team, according to Cahill, is the National ProStart Invitational later this month in Providence, Rhode Island.
“We are excited,” he added.
“Managing” success
Keith Desjardin, culinary instructor at Pinkerton Academy, is also excited, as his team placed second in the management portion of the competition. In this division, students developed a restaurant concept, vetted it and presented it before a panel of hypothetical investors.
“Their concept was a restaurant in a strip mall close to a university with local artwork on the walls, a large stage for local musicians during lunch and dinner service,” he said. “They has to present their menu, floor plan and marketing strategies. They also had to answer critical thinking questions and how they would resolve certain issues.”
While initially proud of their accomplishment, Desjardin acknowledged his team was “bummed out,” however, when they discovered how close they were to actually winning and qualifying for the nationals.
“They were just .875 points down from the top spot,” he said. “It bummed them out.”
Like Cahill, his excitement regarding the competition also stems from the deeper implications regarding what it means for their future.
“Even if they don’t continue in the program here, the soft skills they have learned can be applied elsewhere,” he said.
He said it is not just about the food either.
“It’s their understanding of the financial aspect of things—covering labor and other costs,” he explained. “They are developing teamwork , interviewing and presentations skills as well as personal responsibility. They are thinking on their feet, collaborating, compromising, adapting and evolving concepts. They are learning about the importance of being on time, dressing professionally, public speaking…These are the skills employers are telling us people lack today.”
As with many CTE programs, there is strong participation from industry in the competition with Cahill noting his students already have job offers from Bobby Marcotte, program mentor and executive chef and owner of Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery in Raymond.
“He has been in Guy’s Grocery Games—he is sort of our celebrity chef in New Hampshire,” he said. “He just reached out to all my students and wants to employ all of them.”
To learn more or to become involved with NH ProStart, contact Amie Pariseau at apariseau@nhlra.com.
Apr 14, 2018 | STEM, Tid Bits
| Congratulations to Robert Lalancette, marine robotics and woodworking teacher at Nahsua North, for being presented a STEM Excellence in Teaching Award from the NH Society of Professional Engineers (NHSPE).
NHSPE seeks teachers who are creative and innovative, as well as an effective motivator of learning among students. According to NHSPE brochure, the organization looks to bring attention to outstanding teachers who “go above and beyond to educate our children in mathematics, science, technology and pre-engineering.”
Mr. Lalancette is a longtime Nashua educator and has taught at North since its opening in the fall of 2004. Again, congratulations!
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Apr 14, 2018 | Manufacturing Technology/Technician, SkillsUSA NH, Tid Bits, Welding Technology
Students at the Berlin Regional Career and Technical Education Center’s Welding Program sweep the skills USA state championships placing 1st, Noah Cornish 2nd, Jason Binette and 3rd, John Arquin. The Berlin Regional Career and Technical Center’s Welding programs instructor is the longtime teacher and welding instructor Dennis Carrier. He is no stranger to going to nationals. He has created many amazing welders for years. This year’s class is very special to him. Berlin will represent the state in Louisville, KY at the national championships in June!!
Mar 30, 2018 | Agricutlure, CTSO, FFA, Tid Bits
FFA State President, Sydney Wilson traveled to Washington D.C. to represent agriculture and FFA on Capitol Hill for National Ag Day! She had the opportunity to talk to New Hampshire staff in the Senate and Congress about important agricultural topics. She even was able to meet National Secretary of Agriculture; Sonny Perdue! We hope you enjoy the rest of National Ag Week and continue to celebrate agriculture every day!
Mar 30, 2018 | Manufacturing Technology/Technician, Tid Bits, Welding Technology
The Barrington Police Department needed pass through lockers for evidence collection. Lockers will be installed into a wall where officers will place seized evidence into the locked lockers on the outside and the people working inside can collect the items in the morning. These are usually very expensive, but the Seacoast School of Technology Welding Technologies students were able to fabricate them for just over a $100!
Mar 30, 2018 | Article
On May 29th, a packed house is expected at Pinkerton Academy from 6 to 9 pm in the Stockbridge Theatre for the first annual SAFETEEN Awards and Film Festival.
At the event, awards will be given out I various categories, some of which include: Best Fire Safety Film, Best Suicide Prevention Film, Best Substance Abuse Film, and Best Non-Traditional Workplace Awareness Film. According to Chris Lord, video production teacher at Pinkerton Academy, the event is a unique opportunity for high school film makers to receive recognition in a subject that often has people reaching out to him.
“Each year as a video production teacher, I get several requests for projects pertaining to teen safety,” he said. I get requests for PSA’s, short films, music videos, commercials and campaigns. They come in from both internal and external sources pertaining to teen safety—school clubs, local not for profit associations, various departments at school, local fire and first responders.”
He said a lot of these requests are in support of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Self Harm Awareness Month, National Youth Violence Prevention Week, Youth Sports Safety Month and others.
“From this, I knew there would be fantastic content at schools around the state and a need for a festival like this one,” said Lord, who noted it is also not too late for high school students statewide to submit a video for consideration.
“The submission deadline is fast approaching for April 10th,” he said. “I have reached out to many video teachers myself but wanted to make sure all CTE centers are aware—We have a lot of sponsors, trophies and prizes, too.”
The event is expected to attract a large audience with everyone from experts in various fields of safety to NH Senators and perhaps the Governor—all of whom have expressed a desire to honor students contributing to teen safety.
In expressing excitement for the event, Lord said he also feels it helps to highlights some larger societal issues.
“I think many teens have been emotionally disturbed by the rise in school shootings, opioid addiction, and bullying as well as in the increasing disconnect and hardened discourse on these topics,” he said.
My hope is that a celebration of teens caring about other teens’ safety and celebrating teens doing things to help one another to be happier, healthier, and safer will lead toward building positive discourse and care for everyone’s safety.”
As for content at the show, he anticipates a mix of groups of nominated student films organized by respective safety messages with presentations by first responders and other safety stakeholders from across the state.
“Awards will be given to recognize top film projects and to recognize students that have contributed to teen safety in various ways during the past year,” said Lord. “The hope is to make this an annual event that celebrates teen safety.
To learn more, visit www.safeteenfilm.com. To submit a video, visit https://filmfreeway.com/SAFETEEN.
Mar 13, 2018 | Article
In an industry that is expected to keep booming for years, careers in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) are not only desirable, but lucrative.
According to local HVAC companies actively involved in the Program Advisory Board at Manchester Community College (MCC), the current annual salary for an experienced HVAC Technician is about $70k. By 2020, it is projected to be around $100k.
In response to this need, MCC established an initiative that enables NH high school students to take MCC classes at 50% of the tuition per course. According to Eddie Curran, HVAC Department Chair at MCC, the initiative is known as Early College, which includes 4 program tracks: HVAC, Advanced Manufacturing, Allied Health, and Computer Science.
In the HVAC track, additional savings are realized for students, as courses are free through the Governor’s STEM Scholarship program. In addition, HVAC students—either in a CTE program or not—can earn up to 18 college credits while still in high school.
“Over the course of the 4 semesters, the students will pay just $1,000 for 18 college credits,” he said. “18 credits is almost one-third of the way toward an Associate’s degree here—there’s amazing value in that.”
For students (or parents) who may not necessarily think a career in HVAC is either exciting or cutting-edge, Curran said nothing could be further from the truth.
“It is extremely technical,” he said. “It’s definitely not turning wrenches. You have to have formal training—and a lot of it is computer-based.”
According to Curran, the Early College HVAC program at MCC is part of a larger academic pathway.
“After you earn an Associate’s degree, you can earn an advanced certificate to work on more complex equipment,” he said. “We also have an agreement with Southern New Hampshire University and Granite State College where someone can take 8 classes after that and get a BA in management…The majority of someone course, though, can be taken at MCC.”
Similar to the Running Start program in that students can earn college credits in high school, Early College differs in one important respect, as classes are taught by college professors on the MCC campus. In Running Start, another difference is that classes are taught by high school instructors.
“With Early College, you get the college experience and mentoring opportunities by college students,” added Curran. “We have also built into the HVAC program dedicated tutoring support so we can help students succeed and do well.”
As to the future of the program, Curran cited a need to engage in concerted outreach with one of his first forays into the larger educational community an upcoming guidance counselor breakfast on March 22 at MCC.
“It’s for high school counselors to inform them of the opportunities of Early College so they can share it with their schools and students,” he said.
Noting there are just 5 CTE programs in the state that offer an HVAC program, Curran said the need for technicians in NH has never been greater.
“With this program, MCC essentially becomes another CTE option for the high schools,” he said. “The cost of running a CTE HVAC program is very expensive for schools. Now, they don’t need a lab or a budget for it, because we can be that option for their students…We expect a lot of interest in this program.
For those with questions about the HVAC Early College Program, contact Curran at (603) 206-8041 or ecurran@ccsnh.edu.
