FESTO MOBILE MECHATRONICS LABORATORY

Recently, North Montco Technical Career Center hosted a visit by the Festo Mobile Mechatronics Laboratory. This Mobile Mechatronics Laboratory is an 80-foot self contained tractor-trailer. The purpose of the visit was to encourage students to increase their awareness of the high technologies used in today's manufacturing and encourage students to pursue careers in these vital industries. Students had the opportunity to tour this Mobile Mechatronics Laboratory and explore the various pneumatic and electromechanical displays.

Students in the Robotics & Automation (Mechatronics) program were particularly interested in touring this “laboratory.” The students had the opportunity to see various applications of the curriculum they are learning in their program.
Staffed with experts in the field of automation, the Festo Mobile Mechatronics Lab is part of a mission to educate companies and schools about energy efficient automation technology and services and the latest advancements that can improve equipment and operational performance.

For more information about the Festo Mobile Mechatronics lab visit this website:

http://www.festo.com/cms/en-us_us/10387_10416.htm#id_10416


For more information about North Montco Technical Career Center’s Robotics & Automation (Mechatronics) program, contact a counselor at 215-368-1177.

Class of 2011

North Montco Technical Career Center held their annual Senior Recognition night on Monday, June 6th. Over $8,000 was awarded to the graduating seniors during the awards ceremony. The seniors also received their certificates of completion or participation and will receive their high school diplomas from their sending schools. In addition, the Class of 2011 was offered over $5,000,000 in scholarship and merit grants!

Nick Judge (Precision Machining, Souderton) provided a student address and referred to his fellow graduates as “techies.” Nick pointed out that while although sometimes being called a “techie” can have negative connotations, it is important to remember to take pride in being called a “techie.” “When you are called ‘techies’ take pride in that moment knowing that you made a decision to better yourself as a student and as a person,” said Judge.

Myranda Lewis (Floral Design and Landscaping, Souderton) another student speaker highlighted the accomplishments of the Class of 2011. Lewis reminded the graduates that “success is not a matter of the things you do right; success is about the choices you make in order to get you where you want to go.”

Katlin (Health Occupations, Souderton) and Emily Hash (Graphic Arts, Souderton) spoke about the need to recognize our heroes and become heroes to others while reflecting upon their mother who passed away earlier this year after battling cancer.

The Administration, Faculty and Staff of North Montco Technical Career Center are proud of the Class of 2011 and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

ENTER OUR NAMING CONTEST

Renovations are still taking place at NMTCC but our new salon is now open. In addition, our new restaurant is expected to open this Fall. We need your help to name the restaurant and salon!

We are taking suggestions from the community for names for our salon and restaurant. Please e-mail your suggestions to northmontco@nmtcc.org by June 1st.

The winner for the selected salon name will receive a day of pampering at the salon. The restaurant name winner will enjoy a dinner for four, including dessert.

OPEN HOUSE

North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC)will be holding the Seventh Annual Senior Project Expo/Open House on Tuesday, May 17th from 6-8 PM. This event is a chance for our seniors to display the knowledge and skills obtained at NMTCC through a graduation projected related to the program they are participating in while attending NMTCC.

The students’ displays will be throughout the building. All are welcome to see the great accomplishments of our students. You will also have the opportunity to view the renovations that have been completed to date. Baked goods and spring flowers will be available for purchase.

Mark your calendar! We look forward to seeing you on May 17th.

“COOKIES FOR COPS”

Last week, Culinary Arts students baked cookies for a program called “Cookies for Cops”.  Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) developed this volunteer program in which cookies are baked, assembled into trays, and delivered to local police departments in the five county area. This initiative is to honor local police departments for the life-saving work that is done every day for all of us.
 
The mission of MADD is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime, and prevent drunk driving.  Because police are the first line of defense in the war against drunk driving, “Cookies for Cops” was developed to honor those officers and their departments whose DUI enforcement is exemplary. 

Automotive Competition

Two NMTCC Automotive Technology students recently participated in the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia Student Troubleshooting Competition. This competition has three components. First, each automotive technology program from Career and Technical Centers located in SE Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware were invited to send five students to participate in the written portion of the competition. This competition consisted of 180 questions to gauge the students’ automotive knowledge.

Two students from the top 12 scoring Career and Technical Centers, with the highest combined scores on the exam, were invited to participate in the troubleshooting/hands-on portion of the competition. Joe Josko (Souderton) and Chris Kinner (North Penn) earned the opportunity to compete during the troubleshooting competition by earning the highest two scores for NMTCC students. During the troubleshooting competition, the students had to troubleshoot (diagnose) and repair several electrical and mechanical “bugs” inserted into a vehicle. Additionally, students competed at various workstations, demonstrating their tire and wheel service, vehicle information management system, electrical diagnosis, and brake, engine and emission/performance repair skills. Joe and Chris earned fourth place for this competition, missing third place by one point.

The final component of the competition was a mandatory essay for all students who participated in the troubleshooting competition. The owners of dealerships believe that qualified technicians must also have strong written and verbal communication skills. Joe Josko earned first place for his essay which required him to “explain how and why the Service Department is important to a dealership’s business.”For his efforts, Joe received a trophy, a $200 VISA gift card and a Fluke Digital Volt Ohm Meter (DVOM) which is a meter used by automotive technicians to successfully diagnose and repair electrical faults in today’s complicated computer controlled vehicles and has a value of $300.

Congratulations to Chris and Joe for their great success!

Students win state level awards

Last week, North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) students competed at the state level SkillsUSA competition held in Hershey, PA. Using the skills they have learned in their classrooms, NMTCC students competed in various technical competitions against their peers from across the state. NMTCC students earned two first place medals, two second place medals and one third place medal.



First place winners have the opportunity to represent the state at the National SkillsUSA Championships held in Kansas City, Missouri during the last week of June.



Congratulations to the following medal winners:



FIRST PLACE:

Brendon Miller (12th grade, North Penn) - Technical Drafting Competition

Robert Greisemer (11th grade, Cyber) - Computer Maintenance Technology Competition



SECOND PLACE:

James Windfelder (12th grade, North Penn) - Architectural Drafting Competition

Trevor Mountain (12th grade, Perkiomen Valley) - State Pin Design Competition



THIRD PLACE:

Emily Hash (12th grade, Souderton) - Photography Competition