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Tech Lab Earns Award

It took just one technology class at Seymour High School to hook senior Taylor Schultz.

"I wanted to do architecture, but I got put in a technology course when I transferred here, and I just fell in love with it," she said. "I've always loved math and science and this program has helped me develop an understanding for all types of engineering."

Around 250 students are enrolled in the school's technology program, taking classes such as transportation systems, manufacturing, construction and civil engineering. The department also teaches the award-winning Project Lead the Way pre-engineering curriculum. The courses are anything but traditional, giving students an opportunity to rebuild engines, construct gliders and build houses.

"We offer a wide range of classes that a lot of other schools can't," technology teacher Ryan Money said. "We are fortunate to have the facilities and the support. It's good for the students to be exposed to such a wide range of career opportunities."

The International Technology Education Association recently awarded a Program Excellence Award at its annual conference to SHS technology teachers Bob Sexton, Money and Jeremy Wischmeier in recognition of their outstanding contributions to technology education and their students.

The award is one of the highest honors given to technology education classroom teachers and is earned by fewer than 50 programs worldwide, Sexton said.

"The key is showing that we are following the standards and that we are keeping up with the changes," he said of receiving the award.

Seymour's program was nominated by Technology Educators of Indiana.

Sexton said the success of the program balances on support from the school's administration and the community.

"That is what has allowed us to provide funding to go the next step," he said.

What is that next step?

"Right now we are focusing on making students realize that the future is not just about having a high school diploma, and we are helping kids work toward their associate degree while in high school," he said. "The kids are already earning college credit through Ivy Tech (Community College)."

Wischmeier said he is proud to be the newest member of the technology team. He began teaching at the school in 2003. Sexton started in 1992 and Money a few years later, in 1995.

"I enjoy showing the students the different applications of technology and being able to be on top of our game with state-of-the-art equipment," he said.

The equipment plays a big role in how students learn, he added.

"What we have here is as good if not better than anything in the industry," he said. "So we are preparing our students above and beyond by industry standards for careers."

Sitting at a computer Tuesday afternoon, Schultz and fellow classmate Wes Ford worked to check computer circuits and diagnose problems through Multisym software in their digital electronics class.

"It really makes you think," Schultz said of the curriculum.

Ford agreed.

"I didn't think it would be as hands-on as it is," he said. "And it's much more in-depth than I expected."

Both students said the school's technology program has given them an advantage over other students.

Schultz has already been accepted as a first-year engineering student at Purdue University in West Lafayette.

"I know that I won't be behind and will actually be a step ahead," she said.

"I'm thinking about studying architecture and this is putting me ahead of other students who aren't in a technology program as good as ours," Ford added.

Junior Andrew Brock said he learned about the technology department when he was in eighth-grade.

"It looked like fun," he said. "They came in and showed us how they got to build things and learn how things work, so I signed up for it my freshman year."

Three years later, he's glad he did.

"I've learned a lot about electronics and I can look at something now and know how it works, which is pretty cool," he said. "I know a lot more than I did."

He credits his knowledge to the program and the teachers.

"Our teachers are great. They are able to get with you one on one to better explain things, and the smaller class size helps with that, too," he said. "We learn by doing instead of just being taught."

Seniors Zach Roach and Cody Surenkamp spent Tuesday's class working on their final project - designing a solution to keeping items better stabilized in a truck bed.

"It's great because we get to work on things we're interested in," Surenkamp said of the program.

Roach said he is thankful the school is able to support the technology department.

"The administration recognizes that this is a growing field and that they need to educate us in this direction," he said.

Senior Ben Fox agreed.

"I like the teachers, and the projects we get to do are really fun and interesting," he said.

For his final project he is designing an attachment for a ratchet.

"I work at Wal-Mart and when I'm putting bikes together I hate having to switch parts, so this will allow you to have different levels in one attachment. It's pretty practical."

Why does the SHS technology department stand out?

"We have a lot of talent here," Fox said.