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Parents, Students Learn About New Ernest Ward Electrical Academy
May 26, 2010
A new program at Ernest Ward Middle School will provide students the opportunity to learn all about electricity and green power.
Tuesday, parents and students had the opportunity to learn more about the IBEW Electrical Academy at Ernest Ward Middle School. The academy, which begins in August, is the first such program in the nation at the middle school level.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers will work with the school district to create the Electrical Academy. Middle school career academies are small, personalized learning communities within a school in which select students and teachers participate during a two or three-year span. A career academy involves teachers from different subjects working together as an interdisciplinary team.
“We are really going to emphasize going green,” Reagan McDaniel, business manager for the IBEW Local Union 676, said while standing in front of trailer-mounted solar panels capable of generating about 2,000 watts of power. “It’s important that students learn about green power options.”
In the EWMS Electrical Academy, the students will be introduced to electrical systems, learn the theories of electricity and gain valuable hands-on experience with various projects. Part of that hands-on experience will include learning how to wire a home. While students will work with AC (household type) electrical systems, most projects will use DC (battery type) voltage for safety reasons.
During a recent registration period, 167 incoming seventh and eight grade students signed up for the Electrical Academy, according to Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry. The academy, she said, will only be able to accept about 40 students from each grade level. School grades, FCAT scores and behavior records will play a factor in which students are selected for the program.
For seventh and eight grade students, the academy will be two semesters. Sixth grade students will have the opportunity to take Electrical Academy classes as part of the “wheel” — a nine week course.
“My son is an electrical engineer,” said Gayle Hanks, Ernest Ward guidance counselor. “He said that students that gain the hands on training before college will hold an advantage.”
McDaniel said that current plans call for expanding the IBEW electrical academy to Northview High School.
During the school day, current sixth and seventh grade students were given the chance to see the trailer mounted solar panels in action — powering a fan, leaf blower and vacuum cleaner.
Pictured top: Local IBEW Business Manager Reagan McDaniel explains solar panels capable of generating 2,000 watts of electricity Tuesday afternoon at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
7 Responses to “Parents, Students Learn About New Ernest Ward Electrical Academy”
To :Uv Gotoo B. Kiddingme
“So, the top behavioral kids and FCAT scores get into a trade program, while the rest go on as usual? This doesn’t make sense. First, the high acheivers should be pushing toward higher academic goals. Second, those that likely will not be college graduates in the future should be in trade classes. The parents clamoring for this electrical academy are just tired of the regular system failing their kids. This is just sad.”
This porgram should be an incentive for the kids want to do better, make better grades, study harder, behave in school. If this program took students who make poor grades (which usually mean poor work habits/no studying/no homework) and behavior problems then it would become ineffective. As far as FCAT scores go I understood it to be Math FCAT and they had to have a 3 or above 3 out of 5 years. Meaning the other 2 years they could have below a 3 on FCAT Math. I really do not think that is too much to ask. If I was an employer why would I want to hire someone with no motivation, bad behavior, etc.
They also mentioned at orientation that there will be a continued program at Northview. If I heard it correctly, the students that complete the entire program can earn 45 credits hours of electives to be used at FL State College (formerly FCCJ) in Jacksonville. They are working on the same deal at PJC. That is awesome…you typically only need around 65 credits for an AA or AS degree…that is a HUGE chunk that can be completed while you are in HS!!! How’s that for dual enrollment?
IMO, a higher achiever should be pushing for higher academic goals and I think this program allows them to do that…to have a leg up on getting a college degree in engineering or building construction and management before they graduate high school.
I do agree that some of the kids with lower grades or poor behavior may need something to get interested in and it would be a shame for them to miss out on such a great opportunity. Glad it is not my job to figure out who gets to participate.
I really hope my own son gets in the program. His FCAT scores should be good and he isn’t a trouble maker although he did have a referral or two.
either way its a cool opportunity and program for the students
I’m excited about the electrical academy program. I signed up for that class next year. I think it will be very interesting to learn about electricity and things like that.
So, the top behavioral kids and FCAT scores get into a trade program, while the rest go on as usual? This doesn’t make sense. First, the high acheivers should be pushing toward higher academic goals. Second, those that likely will not be college graduates in the future should be in trade classes. The parents clamoring for this electrical academy are just tired of the regular system failing their kids. This is just sad.
Molino Dad, I would like a few myself. I know a man in Pace that has some to heat his pool. He says the squirrels keep gnawing holes in his. So make sure they can’t get to the hoses to gnaw on them. Maybe they have improved on the design.
I would like to have those solar panels. Anyone have an idea where to buy them? I’ve seen really cheap ones at Harbor Freight, but I’m worried those would not last very long.