Solar power (also known as solar energy) is solar radiation emitted from the sun. Large panels that absorb the sun's energy as the sun beats down on them gather solar power. The energy in the rays can be used for heat (solar thermal energy) or converted to electricity (photovoltaic energy). Each solar energy project, from conception to…

Secondary vocational-technical education programs in Mississippi are faced with many challenges resulting from sweeping educational reforms at the national and state levels. Schools and teachers are increasingly being held accountable for providing true learning activities to every student in the classroom. This accountability is measured through…

Machine shop and metal fabrication programs across the country have struggled since the mid-1980s when the rise in global competition resulted in more manufacturing jobs going overseas. Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton, Massachusetts, was able to keep its program up and running due in large part to its…

Metalcasting offers great opportunities for growth and advancement. Shortages of skilled workers are a problem because the public knows little about the industry. (JOW)

The Craftsmanship 2000 apprenticeship program in Tulsa, Oklahoma, involves seven metalworking industries, three schools, and the community in the four-year program, which links academic, vocational, and work-site experiences to prepare students for employment. (JOW)

Describes a dart-making project that is used as a comprehensive introduction to machining in beginning metals and technology classes. It helps the students bridge the gap between theory and practice by integrating science and technology. (JOW)

A project was undertaken to develop and implement domain-referenced tests (DRTs) for welders' helpers. After analyzing the results of a state survey of welding job titles and related tasks and after consulting with postsecondary educators and industry personnel, researchers developed DRTs to measure various tasks typically performed by welders.…

The myth of the workerless factory has exploded and industry and education are teaming up to turn out more and better metalworkers. (JOW)

The techniques for implementing grey iron casting into the machine shop metal working program, to provide practical job training, are discussed. (BP)

The syllabus outlines material for a course two academic years in length (minimum two and one-half hours daily experience) leading to entry-level occupational ability in several welding trade areas. Fourteen units covering are welding, gas welding, oxyacetylene welding, cutting, nonfusion processes, inert gas shielded-arc welding, welding cast…

As the shortage of skilled workers reached crisis proportions in the metalworking trades, employers must scramble to beef up internal training efforts and to rebuild a strained relationship with vocational schools. (Author)

This packet contains 25 single-page plans for agricultural mechanics projects. Each plan consists of a one-page set of drawings of the object to be made with a list of needed materials, a cut list, and step-by-step construction procedures on the back of the page. Plans for the following wood projects are included: bluebird house, lawn seat, dog…

An innovative industrial arts program is described; it involves students in designing, advertising, and casting their own personal ingots and medallions. An introductory course for seventh-graders, it is modelled on a nearby private mint company that produces collector items. (AJ)

This color-coded competency-based teacher guide contains three units: (1) oxyacetylene welding; (2) oxyacetylene cutting; and (3) oxyacetylene braze welding and surfacing. Each unit includes the following: objective sheet--unit and specific objectives; suggested activities/instructional plan--preparation, delivery and application, evaluation,…

This student assignment book is designed for use in a course on print reading as applied to the machine shop course. Introductory materials include a student progress record, a list of references, and a pretest. For each of eight lessons, information sheets with one or more assignment sheets and a test are provided. The lessons cover the role of…