Energy Technology Career Academy
Information Sheet
History
In Fall 2007, Siemens and AIKCU issued an RFP for the development of a career academy with a focus on energy technology/facilities management. Lindsey Wilson’s proposal to develop an Energy Technology Career Academy in partnership with Adair County High School, Russell County High School, and Lake Cumberland Center for Technology was accepted. This will be the first-ever career academy located in a rural area in the United States! Lindsey Wilson also obtained support agreements for the career academy from the Adair Chamber of Commerce, Green Mechanical, and WindEnergy. We are still actively seeking sponsorship from local businesses.
Planning for the Energy Technology Career Academy took place from September 2007 through September 2008. Planning for the academy has involved visits to model career academies in Tennessee, participation in a Siemens –sponsored sustainability conference and a Ford PAS conference, hosting multiple meetings with career academy partners, and conducting faculty development sessions with high school teachers.
What is a career academy?
Career academies are simply a group of 20 – 30 students that follow a curriculum map throughout high school, attending classes that focus on a specific subject area that will prepare them for a future in that area after high school. Our specific academy will focus on energy conservation, creation, and sustainability, which is the hottest job market in the world today! The students will attend classes that are specific to the academy as well as the core content classes that are required for graduation in a Kentucky High School. Their English and Math classes will also have energy integrated into the curriculum. As stated previously, the curriculum will be delivered in a project-based atmosphere. There will be several guest speakers to come talk to the ETCA students. Students will go on field trips and visit potential employers.
Why did Siemens choose LWC?
Lindsey Wilson has record enrollment numbers, and along with growth comes new construction. Siemens Building Technology is one of the building contractors and has an interest in strengthening public high schools and preparing students for careers in the fields of energy sustainability and efficiency. Research has shown that career academies can improve high school retention and graduation rates. The field of energy will continue to offer jobs even in a dismal market simply due to the cost saving potential to businesses and homeowners. Helping steer students in the direction of careers in energy efficiency and sustainability can be very beneficial to them as well as the community.
What about funding?
The original planning grant for the career academy was for $10,000. An additional $5,000 was provided for planning after the initial phase. At this point, Siemens has committed $40,000 to support the salary of the Director of the Career Academy and additional funds to develop a lab on the Lindsey Wilson College campus for working on topics of energy efficiency and sustainability. It is estimated that the value of the lab will be approximately $75,000. Unfortunately, both school districts experienced teacher cuts for this school year. Therefore, the director of the academy is also going to teach the introductory class at both high schools. Siemens has agreed to pay a portion of the salaries for teachers who would be teaching any classes specifically for the academy; but, there were no teachers at either school with time available to help with these classes. Needless to say, funding will be critical in the future to be able to continue to offer this amazing opportunity for our students.
Where are we now?
Recruitment for students to be in the career academy occurred in December, 2008. Twenty-five students at Adair County High School and twenty-two students at the Russell County High School enrolled in the Introduction to Energy career academy course. Next fall, ETCA will offer Introduction to Engineering, Business and the Environment and Markets without Borders at the two high schools.
Curriculum for the Introduction to Energy course is based primarily on the Ford PAS program. Information and materials from the NEED Project will also be used. Students will not only learn about alternative energy sources and how to implement them, but how to conserve energy and hopefully make an impact on our school districts and community.
ETCA’s Mission
The Energy Technology Career Academy’s mission is to prepare students for work, college and citizenship by engaging them in project-based education enhanced by community partnerships and focused on energy sustainability and efficiency. When ETCA students graduate, they will have a knowledge base that will prepare them for multiple career paths: immediate entry to the work force, a degree at a technical college, a four-year degree in engineering or other energy-related field. There will be several dual-credit classes offered via Lindsey Wilson. ETCA students will be offered classes that will count as college credit. We believe that this will encourage students to continue on with higher education after high school and provide a good quality of life for years to come! Students who complete all the ETCA requirements will be eligible for an ETCA scholarship from Lindsey Wilson College. Also, participation in the academy will prepare students for obtaining a Kentucky Employability Certificate.
Last but not least, one of ETCA’s goals is to become a resource for our communities. We want to develop relationships with local businesses, where the businesses may offer co-operative education opportunities to our students, and in turn, the students will provide the businesses a more experienced and educated workforce.
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