Masks, which are used in burial, ceremonies, initiation rites, for warding off evil spirits, and character development in theater, are great materials to study the history and culture of different nations around the world. This author relates that she always begins her art lessons with discussion of the historical and cultural uses of masks. She…

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…

Numerical control, a technique for automatically controlling equipment, is a system in which machine actions are determined by symbolic data recorded on a suitable media. This glossary of standardized nomenclature for numerical control defines and describes some 286 technical words and terms. Numerous entries are defined and described as they…

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…

This technical specialty course is one of thirty-five courses designed for use by two-year postsecondary institutions in five nuclear technician curriculum areas: (1) radiation protection technician, (2) nuclear instrumentation and control technician, (3) nuclear materials processing technician, (4) nuclear quality-assurance/quality-control…

The standard for Electroplating Worker WG-7 and Electroplater WG-9 covers work involving the use of electrolytic and chemical processes to plate, coat, and treat surfaces of metals and metal alloys for purposes of protection, repair, maintenance, and fabrication of parts and equipment. A knowledge of the preparation, testing, and maintenance of…

Describes the construction of elliptical gears as a means of sparking student interest in power transmission. (GR)

Thomas Crawford, an American Sculptor, created the full-size figure of Freedom in clay. Molds were made, from which a full-size positive plaster model was cast in five main sections. This model is on view today in the basement rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building. Clark Mills was a self-taught American sculptor with experience in casting…

This document contains the materials necessary to teach four instructional units on welding that are designed to prepare learners for entry-level employment. The following instructional units are presented: (1) welding materials; (2) welding tools; (3) welding layout and basic skills; and (4) oxyacetylene cutting. The document begins with a copy…

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.…

To determine needed competencies in welding for agricultural maintenance, questionnaires from 185 farmers familar with welding and 96 job-shop welders representing 40 percent of the Iowa vocational agriculture departments were rated and evaluated. The ten most needed competencies in arc welding were found to be: (1) understanding of the effect of…

Describes a study that sought to ascertain whether affective work competencies are perceived differently by supervisors and workers from selected industries as measured by a Revised Affective Work Competencies Inventory (RAWCI). Discusses implications for vocational-industrial educators. (NRJ)

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

This course syllabus is for five 18-week courses in the Metal Fabrication Program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC): (1) metal fabrication I; (2) blueprint reading and sketching; (3) applied layout tech I; (4) metal fabrication II; and (5) applied layout tech II. Each syllabus contains some or all of the following: (1) course…