8th Grade Students Visit SCRTC

On January 22, 8th grade students from Beatrice Rafferty School in Perry and Woodland Jr./Sr. High School in Baileyville visited St. Croix Regional Technical Center. After lunch, which was provided by Angie and the Calais High School cafeteria staff, Center Director Bob Moholland welcomed the students and explained the agenda for the day. Students were then divided into groups and escorted to each program by SCRTC students.


In Mr Sluzenski's Building Trades program, students had the opportunity to assemble tool boxes that had been pre-cut by SCRTC students. Students were able to take the tool boxes home. In Culinary Arts, Instructor Mr. Dean organized a scavenger hunt. Students identified machinery, tools, and products and the student with the most correct answers won a giant candy bar. In Mr. McPhee's Welding shop students were able to witness a 5,500 degree flame cut through steel. Mr. Barnes, Automotive Service Technology Instructor, showed students how to gap a spark plug and explained the primary functions of the spark plug. Students visiting Mrs. Skriletz's Certified Nursing Assistant classroom viewed a brief video about the nursing profession. Computer/Electronics program Instructor Mr. Bragdon explained the various options available to students attending his program. Early Childhood Education Instructor Mrs. Hallowell showed students the new E.C.E. classroom, lab, and kitchen. This facility, which also houses the Commercial Truck Driving Program, was built by SCRTC Building Trades students. Mr. Moholland, Center Director and Truck Driving Instructor, demonstrated to students the computer/simulator used to practice specific driving conditions, and he also discussed important parts of the industry. Students had the opportunity to try out the simulator, and only a few of them crashed.


All visiting students were given a "program of study" for each SCRTC course. This will help both the students and their parents plan ahead to ensure their children have taken the appropriate courses to be successful at SCRTC and the world of work.