NINTH GRADERS VISIT THE ICTC

(January 7, 2011)...Each year as the holidays approach, the ICTC opens its doors to all 9th grade students from every high school in Indiana County to participate in a school wide tour.  This year the ICTC welcomed the 9th graders with six huge signs lining the drive way to the ICTC.  The signs represented the ICTC’s lingo for Technical Education including terms such as, “Tech-nificient”, “Tech-tastic”, and “Tech-know”.  In addition the ICTC has teamed up with partnering businesses to line the sidewalks with the latest trucks, cars, suv’s and sports cars.  Also on display was a dirt bike and 4-wheeler in the main entrance.  A special thanks to Colonial Motor Mart, Delaney Chevrolet Buick and Tom’s Cycle for helping us promote our technical programs.

Participation in the 9th grade tours provides the students  the opportunity to be introduced to the fourteen technical program areas, auto technology, carpentry, collision repair technology, computer systems technology, cosmetology, culinary arts, digital media technology, electrical occupations, graphics and electronic media, health occupations technology, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, machining technology, masonry and welding technology.  The tour serves two purposes.  First, it provides all participating freshmen an overview of the education provided at the ICTC.  Second, it provides students the opportunity to consider their future career goals. 

During the tours, each program area instructor along with their students used many different presentation techniques to share how career and technical education can help interested students get the necessary competitive edge to be successful.  During the lunch hour, while enjoying the fireplace which was built by the ICTC masonry students, the ICTC staff members engaged the students in a game of dance central…ICTC style.  Students were asked many different questions about the technical facts they learned while on tour at the ICTC.  The first twelve cards drawn with the correct answers were split into two teams and given a chance to battle it out and show their dance moves.  The team with the most points at the conclusion of the dance activity received a “Tech-Know” t-shirt designed and produced by our Graphics and Electronic Media students.  The second place team received coupons for Sheetz and McDonalds.  A big thank you to Sheetz and McDonalds for supporting the ICTC.

There is no doubt that the students’ enrolled at the ICTC have the opportunity to learn and gain a high level of technical knowledge.  Freshmen who choose to schedule an ICTC program as part of their 10th grade schedule will have the opportunity to receive college credit through the statewide articulation agreements, earn recognized industry certifications, and/or dual enrollment with post-secondary institutions.  Interested 9th grade students are encouraged to see their sending school counselor to schedule a shadow visit in January or February 2011.

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