mta matters - Career

MTA MATTERS
Newsletter of the Manufacturing Technology Academy of NW Michigan
June - July 2014
Vol. 19 No. 2
Top Honors at National Robotics Competition
Thankful Recognition
Manufacturing
Technology Academy
(MTA) students
mastered the April
2014 National Robotics
Challenge (NRC) in
Marion, Ohio. Competing against
hundreds of college
and high school teams,
MTA student-built
robots earned multiple
first and second place
awards, and ultimately
scored the event’s top
Special thanks to the financial
partners who contribute resources
and expertise for MTA’s
annual robotic competitions.
Because of their support, MTA
students thrive and excel in a
rich learning environment with
valuable hands-on, collaborative
experiences.
Sponsors Welcome
MTA is always seeking sponsors
and grant opportunities. If you
are an individual or company
interested in collaborating with
MTA, please contact
Tim Wheatley at
(231) 995-1304.
Contact MTA
Instructor Tim Wheatley
honor, the coveted Honda Innovation Award.
The team lead by Alexis Archer (Kalkaska High School), Mary Graham (Forest Area High
School), and Amanda Lodge (Glen Lake High School) took first place in the manufacturing
robotic work cell contest with their “Making Melodies” work cell, which also went on to be
selected for the Honda Innovation Award.
The winning cell used a robotic arm and aquarium components to fill stemmed glasses
with water to the precise level that would allow it to play the musical tunes “Mary Had a
Little Lamb” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” The judges cited the cell’s clever design,
original concept, and the team’s progressive project development as reasons why “Making
Melodies” stood out from the 400 others vying for the Honda Innovation Award.
(See page 2 for continued information on MTA robotics winners)
(231) 995-1304
twheatley@tbaisd.org
MTA Student Awards
MTA Guidance Board Chair
Carl Kucsera
(DURA Automotive, retired)
Career-Tech Center Principal
Pat Lamb
MTA Mission Statement
To provide a learning
environment which motivates
and enables students to acquire
worldclass manufacturing
and engineering skills while
positioning them to compete and
excel in the global market.
MTA Matters Newsletter provided by the
MTA Guidance Board, and published by
TBAISD Information Services
www.mta.tc
CTC Outstanding Student Awards
Connor Gidner
Justin Cutler
Grand Traverse Area Retired
School Personnel Scholarship
Colin May
CTC Academic Scholarships
Amanda Lodge
Colin May
Joel Zemanek
Kettering University Technology Award
Justin Cutler
Randall Wallace
National Technical Honor
Society Scholarships
Amanda Lodge
Colin May
Alec Stilwell
Science, Math &
Technology Award
Alexis Archer
NMC Founders Scholarship
Josiah Bakker
Boy Scout Scholarship
Josiah Bakker
Students of the Quarter
Quarter 3:
Quarter 1:
Quarter 2:
Tristan Waters
Alec Stilwell
Joel Zemanek
Isaac Thelander Randall Wallace Kenton Long
Record-Eagle Student Showcase
Max Casler
National Technical Honor Society
Senior Honor Chords
Alexis Archer
Max Casler
Colin May
Josiah Bakker
Michael Farese
Alec Stilwell
Michael Byard
Mary Graham
Joel Zemanek
Amanda Lodge
Congratulations to the Manufacturing Technology Academy Class of 2014
Alexis Archer
Kalkaska High School
Future:
Bethany College
Josiah Bakker
T.E.A.C.H. Home School
Future:
Northwestern Michigan
College
Michael Byard
Home School
Future:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University
Maximilian Casler
St. Francis High School
Future:
Michigan Technological
University
Luke Crawford
Kalkaska High School
Future:
Michigan Technological
University
Colton Lowe
Kingsley High School
Future:
Northwestern Michigan
College
Colin May
Bellaire High School
Future:
University of Michigan
Logan Moore
TC West Senior High School
Future:
Michigan Technological
University
Austin Oberski
Frankfort High School
Future:
Western Michigan University
Rachael Peabody
Benzie Central High School
Future:
Lake Superior State
University
Robotics Competions
(continued from page 1)
Another MTA robotics team designed their robotic “Garden Defender,” to visually track and discourage rodents from destroying garden
vegetation. Colton Lowe (Kingsley High School), Austin Oberski (Frankfort High School), and Michael Rosek (Buckley High School) took
first place in the robot construction contest. This project was also one of only 10 nominated for the Honda Innovation Award.
Two additional MTA teams fielded robots that earned first and second places in the rescue robot contest. One of the rescue robot teams
was made up of Michael Byard (Home School), Kevin Kolodziej (TC West Senior High), and Joel Zemanek (Traverse City West Senior
High), whose strategy boiled down to “bigger is better.” The other rescue robot team went with a robust tank-like design, brainstormed by
members Max Casler (St. Francis High School), Logan Moore (TC West Senior High), and Alec Stilwell (Bellaire High School). Students
from both teams were charged with designing and building rugged remote-control vehicles capable of climbing a 45-degree plywood
ramp, negotiating a bed of pea gravel and a six-inch-high beam, and using cameras to locate and retrieve four ping pong balls inside a
dark plywood “cave.” To be competitive, the rescue robots had to deliver the balls to a pedestal in less than three minutes.
A heavyweight sumo robot designed by Luke Crawford (Kalkaska), Tristan Waters (Mancelona), Josiah Bakker (home schooled), and
Anthony Rice (St. Francis) experienced early elimination in seeding matches due to the last-minute failure of an electronic component.
A sixth MTA team, Michael Farese (Lake Leelanau St. Mary School), Connor Gidner (Kingsley High School), Colin May (Bellaire High
School), and Rachael Peabody (Benzie Central High School) competed in 2014 FIRST Robotics Competitions in an Aerial Assist field
event with a fork lift-style robot. Experiencing some wins and some losses, the team saw improved success every step of the way.
Students agree the challenge and excitement of every robotic competition is the highlight of their experience at MTA. Instructors
value the team-building, project management and problem-solving skills the competitive and action packed environments offer. These
project-based opportunities would not be possible without the support of many contributing sponsors. Many of the MTA teams’ robotic
components were printed on 3D CAD and printing technology provided by Microline Technologies, NMC, RM Young, RJG Inc. and MTA.
Learn more about MTA robotics and watch competition videos at www.mta.tc.
Congratulations to the Manufacturing Technology Academy Class of 2014
Michael Farese
Lake Leelanau
St. Mary School
Future:
Case Western Reserve
University
Connor Gidner
Kingsley High School
Future:
Northwestern Michigan
College
Mary Graham
Forest Area High School
Future:
Grace Baptist College
Kevin Kolodziej
TC West Senior High School
Future:
Grand Valley State
University
Amanda Lodge
Glen Lake High School
Future:
Hamilton College
Anthony Rice
St. Francis High School
Future:
Northwestern Michigan
College
Michael Rosek
Buckley High School
Future:
Phoenix, Arizona
Alec Stilwell
Bellaire High School
Future:
Michigan Technological
University
Tristan Waters
Mancelona High School
Future:
Northwestern Michigan
College
Joel Zemanek
TC West Senior High School
Future:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University
Outstanding Educator Leads to Outstanding Students
Manufacturing Technology Academy mathematics instructor, Deborah Menchaca was selected to
receive the prestigious Outstanding Educator Award. Deb is a gifted instructor whose job it is to “sell”
top-quality math education. What sets Deb apart is that students overwhelmingly “buy in.” Her teaching
strategy is effective because of her willingness to dig in and determine her students’ knowledge levels
and begin building from there. MTA and other Career-Tech Center (CTC) students respond to Mrs.
Menchaca’s enthusiasm for understanding and explaining how math applies in many real-life situations
and careers.
Colleagues rely on Deb’s expertise to ensure that students have the math instruction essential
to the school’s technical programs. In fact, Principal Pat Lamb explained that she is one of the rare
individuals who “is a change agent for growth, altering the direction of the Career-Tech Center’s
educational system.” Her math instruction duties at the Manufacturing Technology Academy expanded
to include tutoring students in many CTC programs. Deb models an integrated academic approach that ensures the growth of
students and the entire school. Plus, Deb’s talent goes beyond instruction as she sincerely cares that students have what they
need for success. Her warm relationships with them are based on mutual respect, and this allows her to enrich their education and
their lives.
Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District, in partnership with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce and TBA
Credit Union sponsor the annual Outstanding Educator Awards to honor those who demonstrate exemplary contributions and
dedication to schools, students, peers, and communities.
Manufacturing Technology Academy
TBA ISD Career-Tech Center
880 Parsons Rd.
Traverse City, MI 49686
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Traverse City, MI
Permit No. 115
CURRENT RESIDENT OR
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About MTA
MTA Students work with a
team of academic and technical
instructors with access to
mentors and industry experts for
hands-on, technical experience.
Parents value a tuition-free
education in math, science,
English, technology, and
communication. Practical
experiences in a manufacturing
setting enhance the instruction.
Counselors and teachers
appreciate that MTA is a
TBAISD program that does
not reduce a school’s student
funding. Students earn high
school academic credits through
integrated curriculum.
Local businesses partner with
MTA to develop a workforce
prepared to compete in the
global economy. Students benefit
from job shadowing, mentoring
and professional opportunities,
building strong industry
relationships.
Above: MTA students strike a pose following the recent end-of the-year ceremony. Many were awarded scholarships
and special honors in recognition of their achievements.
Tell Your Friends... Be a Part of MTA!
Manufacturing Technology Academy is a unique and enriching educational
opportunity. Students are admitted each spring based on application. Application is simple:
Visit MTA Arrange an MTA visit through a school counselor
Complete and Mail Application Materials to MTA
•
•
•
•
MTA application with counselor’s comments and signature
9th grade and first semester 10th grade transcripts
One-paragraph essay explaining why student would like to attend MTA
Two letters of recommendation (only one may be from an educator)
Interview with MTA Manufacturer’s Council After full application review
Await Notification Students notified of application status following interview
Questions? Contact MTA Instructor Tim Wheatley at 995-1304 or twheatley@tbaisd.org