Last Thursday, January 14th, we were honored to have Mayor Richard M. Daley dedicate Austin Polytech’s new Manufacturing Technology Center, a new facility for hands-on training with high tech equipment. We were also joined by US Representative Danny Davis; Ron Huberman, CEO of Chicago Public Schools; and Marilyn Stewart, president of the Chicago Teachers’ Union.
The dedication ceremony recognized the organizations and individuals who made Austin Polytech and our new MTC possible. We could not have achieved this tremendous milestone without the support of public and private sector partners like WaterSaver Faucet Co., who donated over $75,000 to our school last year.
View photos: Read more »
Mayor Daley and Ron Huberman Dedicate Manufacturing Technology Center at High School Praised by President Obama
Austin Polytechnical Academy honors manufacturers and educators for supporting the school’s new high tech training facility for students and neighborhood residents
For immediate release: January 14, 2010
Contact: Ingrid Gonçalves, 312-725-3202, igoncalves@polytechnical.org
CHICAGO – Austin Polytechnical Academy, located at 231 N. Pine Ave., dedicated its Manufacturing Technology Center, a new facility for hands-on training with high tech equipment, at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 14.
Mayor Richard M. Daley, Congressman Danny Davis, and Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman joined students, teachers, and administrators to cut the inaugural ribbon. Mayor Daley also spoke at the dedication ceremony, which united APA students, parents, and staff with the school’s industry partners and local community leaders. Read more »
2009 has been a great year for APA. A special thank you to everyone who’s gotten involved in our career program and followed our progress in Tech Talk. Your support makes our success possible. We hope you’ll include Austin Polytech on your holiday shopping list this season, as our After School Matters (ASM) beverage marketing program kicks off in January.
These hardworking students need $800 to purchase supplies for branding and marketing their new product, which they selected after surveying teachers and students in a blind taste test. After School Matters teaches key business skills like communication and a strong handshake, as student Wesley Brown demonstrates above. Read more »
The Local School Council (LSC) met on December 14 and discussed recent successes at Austin Polytech.
Loyal LSC member Mrs. Thelma Wordlaw (right) expressed her enthusiasm for APA’s Teacher Manufacturing Mentor program, which helps teachers introduce manufacturing into the classroom.
“It’s not the old Austin High School anymore,” she said. Mrs. Wordlaw is the grandmother of two students at APA, Desiree and Demitrius Wordlaw.
The LSC also learned about Northwestern University’s December 8 visit to Austin Polytech.
The school received some great feedback from the Northwestern representatives. Steve Carr, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Engineering, called Austin Polytech “irresistible and awe inspiring.”
“That’s just what our teachers need to hear,” said Rev. Wright (above).
The APA college fair on December 10 offered students the opportunity to meet representatives from local colleges and learn more about their options. At right, counselor Travis Morgan helps a student plan his time at the college fair.
Overall, students reacted positively to the job fair. Click below to read what APA had to say about the experience. Read more »
Due to its growing success, the APA Cafe has relocated to the first floor of Austin Polytech, in front of the school office. The APA Cafe is open for business every school day morning from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
That means APA students Kedera Murph, Charmaine Simmons, and Josely Broadway arrive at school every morning at 6:30 to brew enough coffee for their caffeine-craving teachers and peers!
For chocoholics, dreams may soon become a reality when the APA Cafe introduces hot chocolate in 2010.
Mr. Speller’s Principles of Engineering class recently surveyed over 80 engineers from our partner companies in order to learn more about the field. A special thank you to all survey volunteers!
Above, Mr. Speller works with APA student Quintin Bush to prepare his survey questions for volunteer engineers.
Project Lead the Way student, Asia Collier, asked the question, “What caused you to want to be an engineer?”
Mr. Speller reports that survey respondents ranged from nuclear engineers to faucet design engineers.
“Engineers are excited about helping students become more informed about the engineering profession,” he reports.
APA extends a warm welcome to our newest partner, Cragin Metals! Below, Cragin Metals President Joe Weber (right) presents his partnership dues to APA’s industrial coordinator, Bill Vogel.
Mr. Weber said his company supports APA because, “Getting young people involved in manufacturing is good for the economy and the future of our country.”
Last night, CLCR hosted an event for its board of directors in Austin Polytech’s new world-class machine shop, the Manufacturing Technology Center. Students have not yet used the brand-new shop, but the MTC will be used to help APA students and Austin residents earn industry-recognized NIMS certificates, which will give them an edge in the job market.
View the photo gallery
A group of 60 APA students went on a field trip to the FABTECH trade show last month. One of their favorite displays was the FANUC robotics exhibit, below.
Below, students watch welding demonstrations at FABTECH, the largest manufacturing trade show in the USA.
APA junior Mecca Yound actually laid down a bead of MIG weld. “The experience was very interesting, getting all prepared in protective apparel, gloves, coat, helmet, and then really welding!” she said. “The instructor and I did a good job, straight and no porosities. He was proud of me.”