Archive for the ‘Advanced Manufacturing’ Category
IUPUC is part of a new consortium of the eight Indiana University School of Nursing campuses across the state that ensures registered nurses can earn a bachelor’s degree in 12 months.
The consortium, the first of its kind for IU, helps nurses with two-year degrees move quickly through a bachelor’s program.
Students enter the RN-to-BSN program at the IU campus closest to them, and then tie into the online state-wide network to complete their coursework and practicum experiences.
“This is a great opportunity for working RNs who want to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree. The courses are delivered online in condensed, eight-week learning modules, which means students can continue to work and fit the classes into their schedule,” said Beth Sharer, IUPUC’s interim division head of the IU School of Nursing.
“And as always, if students want to talk to an IUPUC nursing faculty or advisor, we maintain an open-door policy for students whether the ‘door’ is on-line, on-the-phone or on-campus.”
Admission is ongoing, enabling students to start at any time and complete nursing-specific courses in 12 months.
Information, 348-7250 or shehe@iupuc.edu.
Senior Jonathan Siegert works on the day’s assignment in the newly renovated
Project Lead the Way lab, funded by grants through Indiana Virtual Academy,
Workforce Development, and EcO15.
Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer
Jac-Cen-Del students have
a unique opportunity to
sharpen their critical thinking
and problem solving skills
through the engineering
courses that are a part of the
Project Lead the Way program.
The three classes, Introduction
to Engineering, Principles
of Engineering, and
Digital Electronics, include
students from grades 8
through 12 and provides an
opportunity for them to earn
college credit when completed.
This is the third year for
Project Lead the Way courses
at JCD, according to Jr./Sr.
High School Principal Johnny
Budd. The curriculum and lab
as well as all equipment and
supplies needed were funded
through grants from such organizations
as the Indiana Virtual
Academy, Workforce Development
and EcO 15, which
is for $103,000 over the next
three years.
“The EcO 15 grant has allowed
us to offer the third year
Digital Electronics course,”
said Budd. “Without the grant,
this would not have been possible.”
The current lab was expanded
so that students are
able to work on projects at the
same time. According to
Budd, work benches and
room renovations were completed
by JCD personnel.
As an instructor in the Principle
of Engineering and the
Digital Electronics courses,
Paul Thole was required to
train two weeks, learning the
curriculum and the projects.
According to Thole, the training
was extremely intensive
with eight hours of instruction
and six hours of homework.
Projects for the courses included
taking apart an everyday
object and then creating
drawings of the parts on the
specialized computer software.
In Digital Electronics,
the students work on circuit
boards while learning from
their mistakes along the way.
“The classes allow the students
to be creative and challenged
as well as learning
teamwork skills,” said Thole.
Glenn Unklesbay has been
the high school band director
for several years before he
was approached by Principal
Budd to become an instructor
for the first year Introduction
to Engineering course.
According to Unklesbay, he is
enjoying his first year as a
Project Lead the Way instructor.
“The engineering curriculum
changes the way a student
goes about problem solving,”
he said. The students are learning
skills that they will use
every day for the rest of their
lives.
Both Thole and Unklesbay
are passionate about the program
and believe that every
student would benefit from the
class even if they do not become
engineers. “I think every
student at JCD should take
Introduction to Engineering,”
said Unklesbay.
“I hope that parents realize
what a great opportunity these
classes are for the students,”
said Thole. “I would like for
them to encourage their children
to try the introduction
class.”
Students who have completed
all three courses at JCD
can continue their engineering
studies at the Southeastern
Career Center through the Advanced
Engineering course,
also part of the Project Lead
the Way program.
“What impresses me the
most is the way the students
can’t wait to get started,” said
Cheryll Obendorf, Ripley
County EcO15 Coordinator.
The program brings a new excitement
to education.
Columbus resident David Dugan realized just how competitive the job market is when he submitted a resume to a Shelbyville company.
Dugan went for an interview and was told the company 400 online resumes within the first hour the job was posted. Hundreds more followed.
Hunting for a job in the current market is tough, said Dugan, who lost his job in quality management when Kobelco in Seymour closed this summer.
Also tough is paying for COBRA health insurance coverage, costing $1,200 a month, which eats up his unemployment benefits.
“I’m looking for a job in quality management or as a manufacturing manager,” Dugan said.
With so much competition, Dugan said he feels lucky if he gets one interview a week.
Dugan attended Friday’s Career Fair at Columbus Learning Center with hundreds of others who handed out resumes and attended seminars to increase their job-search skills.
The event was presented by The Republic and EcO15, a regional initiative to promote careers in manufacturing and coordinate with local educational institutions to align workers’ skills with business needs.
The fair included seminars where participants learned about resume writing, interview techniques, upgrading skills and ways to maximize their odds of landing an interview and a job.
“We wanted to have more of an educational focus this year,” said Jaime Hampton, classified advertising and recruitment manager at The Republic.
Past job fairs included more than 1,000 job-seekers.
Doug Firenze, human resources manager at Columbus Container, said he had accepted about 50 resumes and job applications by about noon Friday.
“It’s been a pretty steady flow of people,” Firenze said.
One difference he noticed this year compared to past years was that more job-seekers came prepared with resumes.
Classrooms where seminars were conducted were so full, extra chairs were moved in from other rooms.
Brenda Hotopp, director of career services at Ivy Tech Community College, led presentations on resume writing and dressing for success.
“Your resume is your marketing brochure,” Hotopp said. “Be selective what you put on there.”
She encouraged job-seekers to take the time to assess their skills and strengths and to conduct practice interviews with questions that likely would be asked.
No matter what job people are applying for, Hotopp said, dress in a professional manner.
“Your appearance is a statement of who you are,” she said.
Thomas Dunker came to the career fair dressed professionally and with business cards in hand. Although the cards did not include a company name, it listed his desired job: Materials manager.
Dunker has been unemployed since the end of February and spends time each week looking for jobs and coordinating finances that are stretched thin while he awaits results of an appeal for unemployment benefits that were denied.
Dunker said he receives help with the job search, networking and emotional support through the local Business Professional Exchange group and a ministry for unemployed workers offered at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
Jeanie Scofield, EcO15 advanced manufacturing manager, said businesses seem hopeful but cautious about an improving economy.
She encouraged job-seekers to consider advancing their education to gain skills employers want.
“If employers weather the storm, they will be in a better position to take on new workers,” Scofield said.
The Education Center of Rising Sun hosted the 1st Annual Lego Robotics
Camp for Southeast Indiana on July 28 to 31. Fifty seven campers
attended, split between the morning and afternoon sessions. The four day
camp was intended to excite students about math, science, engineering,
technology and teamwork using robotics.
Campers used the Lego NXT Robotics system to design, build and program
their robots. Dr. Joe Fuehne, Associate Professor of Mechanical
Engineering Technology for Purdue University College of Technology led
the program along with his son Matt. Joe taught students how to build
the Lego robot, work with light, sound, music and touch sensors; as well
as programming the robot to move and do various tasks. In addition to
having fun, participants learned about mechanical and software design,
problem solving and teamwork skills. The camp encouraged students to
begin thinking about career opportunities in the engineering and
advanced manufacturing fields.
The final day of camp was a very exciting day, filled with many not
quite or oh man as students were in competition to complete various
tasks. Each task was assigned a set number of points and students were
given 2 minutes 30 seconds to achieve as many challenges as possible to
obtain the highest number of points.
The camp helped to introduce students to the Lego Robotics League which
has a regional competition in November. The competition involves three
aspects: 1) the actual robot competition in which team members complete
defined tasks; 2) an interview with judges as to why your team chose the
tasks and programming used; and 3) a project in which teams will
consider many modes of transportation beyond their daily routine and
streamline their options by making smart moves. Local teams are being
formed to compete for our region and are for 9 to 14 year olds. The
competition will be held on Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Holiday Inn in Columbus.
The Lego Robotic Mindstorm equipment was funded through the EcO15
initiative of which Debbie Thomason is the Coordinator for Ohio County.
Economic Opportunities through Education by 2015 (EcO15) is an
initiative focusing on education and careers associated with Advanced
Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Hospitality/Tourism for 10 counties in
Southeastern Indiana. Advanced Manufacturing is the major economic
cluster in SE Indiana, therefore, the major focus of the initiative.
If you would like to receive information regarding future camps and
learning experiences at the Education Center of Rising Sun, please
contact Debbie Thomason at 812-438-2437 or dthomason@occfrisingsun.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Seven local junior high and high school teachers participated in a two-part math training workshop over the summer with one goal in mind: To make math relevant to their students.
Ultimately, a long-term result could benefit the community.
Supported by EcO15 county coordinators, the teachers partnered with local businesses to develop projects at Math Matters workshops based on actual operations within the businesses. They will take their projects completed at the workshops into the classroom this year. Students will use pre-algebra, algebra and geometry to create sales and marketing scenarios for the business owners through a hands-on approach to learning math.
Madison Consolidated High School algebra teacher Kathleen Gee’s project used slopes to create a price list and brochure for Donnie Wattenbarger, owner of Champs Sports and Corporate Apparel.
“The students will tour Donnie’s business in the fall to get the math content,” Gee said. “I can use linear equations, graph it and plug it into a formula for his situation. We’ll combine it with textbook math and apply it to a real-world application.”
Project-based learning is a relatively new concept, said Gee, who is eager to share her training with other math teachers at the school.
“It answers kids’ questions: ‘When am I ever going to use this, anyway?’” she said.
Other local teachers and their partnering businesses are: Madison Junior High School teachers April Isom, Madison Precision Products; and Trisha Burns, Madison Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; Madison Consolidated High school teachers Emeka Loren, Royer Corp.; and Virginia Schindler, River Valley Financial Bank; and Southwestern High School teachers Elaine Reece, Jendy’s Pizzeria; and Marvin Reece, Majesty Express.
Kathy Huffman, Jefferson County EcO15 coordinator, who helped match teachers with businesses according to standards teachers requested, found overwhelming support.
“Everyone we called agreed and were very excited about working with the teachers,” Huffman said.
She added that some business owners offered tours, while Linda Lytle at the Madison Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has created an introduction video for the students.
Teachers from an 11-county area in Southeastern Indiana - Bartholomew, Brown, Dearborn, Decatur, Jackson, Jefferson, Monroe, Ohio, Ripley, Shelby and Switzerland - participated in the workshops conducted by Indiana University and EcO15.
Teachers presented their projects last week at Columbus Signature Academy-New Tech High School.
Finding solutions that would benefit both the consumer and business owner in a flailing economy was the goal of Southwestern algebra teacher Elaine Reece’s project.
“Solutions through coupons, sales and advertising that would help families and also give Jendy’s owner Jeff Lawson a profit became my driving question,” she said. “Students will be down at The Madison Courier, checking advertising rates as part of their research.”
Her classes will use linear math, inequalities and text resources to arrive at a solution in the hands-on, mini-workshops, learning their math lessons as they’re figuring out their project.
“Project-based learning is self-motivating for the majority of students,” she said. “Students are divided into groups of four - each person with a role agreement contract. They solve open-ended problems by using linear equations eliminating, substituting or graphing solutions. All the groups can have different solutions. There’s no single right answer. I’m not telling them we’re actually using algebra.”
Math Matters was developed by Indiana University-Bloomington professor Catherine Brown and is managed by Robert Abrams of EcO15.
The project-based learning was designed to engage students in meaningful activities that stimulate interest in mathematics, demonstrate their understanding of the importance of mathematics in everyday activities and the workplace, and improve their mathematical comprehension and academic performance.
“Our goal is to raise all the citizens of southeastern Indiana up a level, whether that be in their education, job placement, job training or income,” said Stephanie Weber, communications and outreach coordinator for EcO15.
She said the most recent statewide end-of-course assessments for Indiana’s high school students revealed a dismal success rate in algebra, with just 21 percent passing Algebra 1.
“So this workshop was developed to help engage these math teachers and help them be more creative and innovative in their approach to teaching math,” Weber said.
Abrams said that as businesses connect with schools and teachers, they are better able to identify future employees.
“EcO15 is based upon the fundamental belief that it is the collective responsibility of educators and businesses to better prepare our students to prosper in the southeastern region of Indiana,” Abrams said. “Math Matters demonstrates this core principle of the need and benefits of such collaboration.”
Can’t get enough robotics?
A FIRST LEGO League Tournament will be conducted Nov. 22 at Columbus Holiday Inn.
The tournament is associated with schools, where six to 10 students make up a team.
Two pairs of anxious eyes followed their LEGO robot roll across the table.
Not until they completed their final challenge did 10-year-old Christopher Jackson and 9-year-old Whitman Jerman relax and flash each other smiles.
The pair was among 30 children participating in the final challenges of ROBOColumbus Camp’s morning session Friday, while parents and grandparents cheered and snapped photos.
The summer camp was held Tuesday through Friday at the Columbus Learning Center.
The four-day event, open to kids in Grades 3 through 8, is intended to excite children about math, science, engineering, technology and teamwork using robotics.
Friday, children com- peted in challenges for prizes and earned points based on their performance.
“We got one challenge that wasn’t expected — the arrow,” Jackson said. “That’s pretty hard to do. I’m not sure how many people will get that.”
Jackson posed for a picture with his robot, which he named “Wall-E,” then tried to explain to his mother the workings of the robot.
“To me, it’s like a mystery,” Kathy Jackson said with a laugh. “He’s done it for two years and he understands it so well.”
The man behind the robots is Joe Fuehne, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology for Purdue University College of Technology-Columbus. He teaches campers how to build a LEGO robot, attach light and touch sensors, and program the robot to move.
He said he hopes children realize the connections between what they learn in camp and everyday life.
“There’s a statistic that by 2010, 90 percent of engineers will be in Asia,” Fuehne said. “So we’re trying to get more kids interested in engineering and technology.”
Marsha VanNahmen, K-12 program coordinator for Center for Teaching and Learning, said the children have worked, and played, hard this week.
This year’s camp, in its fourth year, is the largest yet, VanNahmen said. Sixty campers attended, split evenly between the morning and afternoon sessions.
First-time camper Maria Fischer, a fifth-grader at Southside Elementary School, said she’ll be back next year.
“I thought it was really fun,” the 10-year-old said. “I liked the building and having fun with the challenges.”
For one challenge, students headed to the center’s café to test their robots’ sensors. Fuehne explained to unknowing adult onlookers that each robot has four sensors — a sound, light, touch and ultrasonic sensor.
The robots moved along a course designed to display the effectiveness of these sensors.
To wrap up the week’s events, the students received certificates and awards.
Fuehne announced the first-place winners: Jackson and Jerman. The duo pumped the air with their fists and jumped up to claim their prizes — a LEGO set.
“It’s pretty neat,” Jerman said of their accomplishment.
Proud parents, including the Jacksons, looked on.
“It’s amazing that in four days this gentleman takes them from maybe having no knowledge with computers and programming to feeling confident with handling the devices,” Kathy Jackson said.
In the midst of the current economic malaise, there is one industry that’s managed to stay in good shape. In health care, salaries have stayed stable, hiring is strong, and the prognosis for future growth is promising.
Still, you may think a career in health care is beyond your reach. Wrong. Here are nine ways you can get your career off life-support in two years or less.
Clinical Laboratory Technician
Lab techs are like medical detectives — looking at samples of blood or tissue for evidence of disease and illness. Computer skills are a must as labs become more automated. Crack problem-solving skills and a sharp analytical mind are also called for. Most lab techs work in hospitals, though some work in independent laboratories or doctors’ offices.
Degree: Associate’s degree or certificate in medical technology
2008 Median Salary: $35,380
BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) Growth Forecast: 15 percent
Dental Hygienist
With training from an accredited dental hygiene program, your future is wide open. Hygienists help people to improve the health of their teeth and gums. In addition to the sizable salary that comes with this job, flexible scheduling gives you a reason to smile. Over half of all hygienists work part time, making this a family-friendly career.
Degree: Associate’s degree in dental hygiene — bachelor’s degree available
2008 Median Salary: $66,570
BLS Growth Forecast: 30 percent
Dental Laboratory Technician
Here’s a career that will certainly make an impression. Dental techs work with materials like ceramics to create the bridges, braces, and false teeth that are prescribed by a doctor. While it may take four years to achieve professional certification, a two-year degree is enough to land a gig where you’ll get the on-the-job training you’ll need to become fully qualified.
Degree: Associate’s degree in dental technology
2008 Median Salary: $34,170
BLS Growth Forecast: 4 percent
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Want to be there when a pregnant mother sees her baby for the first time? Sonographers use ultrasound technology to help diagnose illness or, in the case of obstetric sonographers, track the progress and health of a pregnancy. A two-year degree is widely accepted and you can increase your chances of getting hired through registration with an independent agency.
Degree: Associate’s degree in ultrasound technology
2008 Median Salary: $61,980
BLS Growth Forecast: 19 percent
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Here’s a two-year program that will get you, and your patients, back to work. Occupational therapy assistants help people who’ve been injured or ill regain the skills they need to succeed in daily life. It’s a great job if you love working with people and like getting a little exercise on the job.
Degree: Associate’s degree in occupational therapy
2008 Median Salary: $48,320
BLS Growth Forecast: 25 percent
Medical Record Technician
Keeping accurate and complete records is a critical link in providing competent care. Proper records can also help to hold down the burgeoning cost of care, so recent legislation requires all records to be digitized. Combined with an increased demand for coding by insurance companies, and you’ve got a prescription for big-time growth in the industry. Most medical record technicians hold an associate’s degree and computer skills are vital.
Degree: Associate’s degree in health informatics and registered health information technician certification
2008 Median Salary: $30,610
BLS Growth Forecast: 18 percent
Radiologic Technologist
If you’ve ever broken a bone, you’ve likely seen a radiographer in action. X-rays and CT scans help to diagnose and treat problems from broken toes to breast cancer. While training options range from one to four years, the two-year associate’s degree is the most common.
Degree: Associate’s degree in radiography
2008 Median Salary: $52,210
BLS Growth Forecast: 15 percent
Surgical Technologist
In as little as nine months, you could become an integral part of a surgical team. You’ll work alongside surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists and be involved in every step of a procedure — from prep to recovery. Employers are looking to hire techs with certification, which can be obtained through an accredited associate’s degree program.
Degree: Associate’s degree or certificate in surgical technology
2008 Median Salary: $38,740
BLS Growth Forecast: 24 percent
Veterinary Technician
The health care hiring boon extends to those who care for our four-legged friends. Vet techs are in high demand — there currently aren’t enough grads to meet hiring needs. The trend shows no signs of slowing down. Though there is a clinical component to the training, many programs offer distance-learning opportunities as well.
Degree: Associate’s degree in veterinary technology
2008 Median Salary: $28,900
BLS Growth Forecast: 41 percent
Finding a Cure
If you’re worried about the health of your industry or you’re just plain sick of your job, there is hope. An associate’s degree in a health care field is a sure-fire cure for the common career.
Lila Daniels is a freelance writer living in Vermont. She previously worked in higher education publishing and as a high school art teacher.
A new bachelor’s degree in nursing program will begin in fall 2010 at IUPUC.
The program, from Indiana University School of Nursing, will be the first standalone Bachelor of Science in Nursing offered in Indiana Workforce Development Region 9.
Deb Harmon, head of the Division of Nursing, said the degree is “something the community has wanted and needed for a long time.
“To say that I am excited is an understatement, I am elated,” she said.
According to Indiana Workforce Development, southern Indiana lacks about 150 Registered Nurse positions. Employment is projected to increase 23 percent from 2006 to 2016, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Region 9 includes Bartholomew, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties.
Until now, no college or university in the region has offered a BSN. Students traveled out of the region to find a program or stair-stepped their education by obtaining an associate degree in nursing at a school in the region and then transferring to another school to finish the program.
While helping students, the new degree program also will allow local hospitals to better serve patients, said Cheri Goll, vice president and chief nursing officer at Columbus Regional Hospital.
Research indicates patients have improved outcomes in hospitals with higher percentages of BSN-prepared nurses, she said.
Vicki Johnson, vice president of nursing services at Schneck Medical Center, agreed and said the new program supports her hospital’s efforts toward quality and safety.
Students can begin taking prerequisites at IUPUC this fall; between 53 and 55 credit hours of general education course work is required for the degree.
Applications for the program’s first class will be accepted between Jan. 15 and March 15 2010, Harmon said. The degree requires between 70 and 72 credit hours of nursing courses.
The competitive admission process emphasizes math and science. Cohort class sizes will be limited to the top candidates.
Students accepted into the nursing program will use the IUPUC’s newly renovated nursing lab, which includes three patient care areas with hospital beds, IV pumps, monitors and simulation mannequins with virtual reality software.
According to WorkOne’s Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs, Computer Software Engineers rank #5 out of the 50 most in demand jobs in Indiana! The average yearly salary in this career field is around $65,549 and requires at least a Bachelor’s Degree.
To learn more about the job outlook, training/education, description of this career, etc., click on our Advanced Manufacturing Link below> Select Information Technologies Cluster>and select Software & Programming Tab.
http://www.eco15.org/advanced-manufacturing.php
Math Matters in SE Indiana - Project Presentations Schedule
Thursday, July 23
9:15-9:45- Ted Touloukian- Columbus North- Business Partner: Hilliard Lyons
Shawn Mahoney- Business Partner: Jim’s Body Shop
9:45-10:15- Melissa Taylor- Northside MS- Business Partner: Kim King Smith, Event Planner
Kristin Market- Ohio County Elementary MS- Business Partner: Pendleton Art Center
10:15-10:45- Carla Listerman- South Dearborn High- Business Partner: Dearborn County Engineer
Jared Leiker- Lawrenceburg High- Business Partner: Dearborn Co Transportation and Engr. Dept.
10:45-11:15- Joani Heffelmire- South Dearborn High- Business Partner: Aurora Lumber
Kevin Kasting- Crothersville Jr/Sr High- Business Partner: Pro-Form Plastics
11:15-11:45- Theresa Sublette- Columbus East- Business Partner: Edward D. Jones
Matt Dunham- Triton Central High
12:15-12:45- Kari Retrum- Columbus North- Business Partner: Rick Colglazier, insurance & financial planner
Jeff Wilson- Triton Central High- Business Partner: C-Tech
12:45-1:15- Alice Kilbride- Brown Co High- Business Partner: For Bare Feet
Casie Jesop- Switzerland Co High- Business Partner: Mainsource and Friendship Banks
1:15-1:45- Adam Dennis- Switzerland Co High- Business Partner: Kentucky Speedway
Travis Griffith- Switzerland Co Elem- Business Partner: Markland Dam & Locks
1:45-2:15- Crystal Simpson- Greensburg High- Business Partner: Central Restaurant Product
Kevin Layton- Greensburg High- Business Partner: Honda & an infrared oven mfg
2:30-3:00- Marvin Reece- SW Jefferson High- Business Partner: Majesty Express
Sarah Schaeffler- Lawrenceburg High- Business Partner: Schuman Flooring
3:00-3:30- Elaine Reece- SW Jefferson High- Business Partner: Jendy’s Pizzeria
Diana Mann- McDowell High
3:30-4:00- Sara Eckstein- Greensburg High- Business Partner: Learning Center at Greensburg
Emeka Koren- Madison High- Business Partner: Royer Corp
4:00-4:30- Jordan Blackman- Central MS