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Program provides tools to lead students into higher technology

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.