Parker Kingsford
Occupational Goal: Computer Engineer

“I have felt great interest in becoming a computer engineer since I started working with computers at the age of 10. I love technology and engineering, to solve and fix problems. I like to design new computer systems that can be more effective in day-to-day life. Becoming a computer engineer would incorporate some of my greatest passions and joys in life.

“I am currently attending Canyons Technical Education Center (CTEC) in Sandy, Utah. I am enrolled in the Computer Repair and Network System course. This program has helped me earn many industry-level certifications including: CompTIA, IT Strata Fundamentals, IC3, Microsoft Technical Associate (MTA), OS Fundamentals, and Security and Academy of Information Technology certifications. At CTEC, I was recently recognized as the most outstanding PC repairman for the first semester.”

—Parker Kingsford, West Jordan High School

UtahCTE.org congratulates Parker on the CTE Scholarship and Tuition Award he received to Salt Lake Community College. Parker was one of 102 students honored at the CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards banquet on Wednesday, May 1, 2013.

Left: Blair Carruth, Assistant Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education
Middle: Parker Kingsford
Right: Jared Haines, Vice President, Utah College of Applied Technology 

Throughout April students across the state of Utah competed in the annual Utah IT Challenge. This event was held in conjunction with the Microsoft IT Academy, a national program that provides industry-leading technology skills. Utah’s IT Challenge included Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certifications. This year Utah’s IT Challenge was held in three regions—Salt Lake Region, Northern Region, and Central Region. From Photoshop to CIW Site Design to Oracle Java, over 60 students—grades 9-12—took the challenge to compete among their peers. Over 100 tests were taken with 16 MTA certifications awarded.

 Students who achieved the highest score in each IT Challenge area:

Each Adobe first place winner was awarded Adobe Suite software, generously donated by Adobe. Other first place winners were awarded Windows 8 operating system, generously donated by Microsoft. Novell donated a nice laptop bag for the top Linux winner.

Adobe Photoshop winners
Left to right: Sienna Pickard, Sarah Cotner, Ty Bayn,
with Francie Stewart, Certiport representative

Students who participated in the Utah IT Challenge further developed his/her skills in industry-leading technology that will jump-start his/her future career in the IT industry. In Utah, tech companies employ about 140,000 people, paying approximately 57 percent higher salaries than the statewide average.¹

If you’re interested in competing in the Utah IT Challenge next year contact your Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher to learn how to prepare and register. Learn about the CTE Information Technology Pathways HERE.

 ¹ Utah Technology Council

Congratulations to Provo High School students Parker Thomas and Jimmy Hicken who took first place at the state Ford/AAA Auto Skills competition on Thursday, May 2, 2013. The competition was held at Salt Lake Community College’s Miller Campus where 10 teams tested their knowledge and skill at diagnosing a purposely bugged vehicle.

Dave Milliken, Skilled and Technical Science Sciences state specialist, was on the planning committee and attended the event. He describes the contest and the close finish. “This year’s contest was a bit more challenging due to the fact that there was a double bug. This means that there were two bugs dealing with the same problem, so when a team found one bugged part there was another one causing a similar problem to the car. The bugs could range from light bulbs for turn signals to sensors affecting the transmission.

“After 75 minutes of working on the cars, and 15 minutes left of the competition, all 10 cars were still being worked on. The bugs were tough and challenged the student’s abilities and knowledge of the vehicles. Only four vehicles were driven into final judging, the others were still on the field of competition when the contest came to an end.”

Below are the results of the competition:
1st Place – Provo High School
2nd Place – Riverton High School
3rd Place – Woods Cross High School
4th Place – Northridge High School
5th Place – Timpview High School
6th Place – Clearfield High School
7th Place – Hillcrest High School
8th Place – Davis High School
9th Place – USU Eastern High School Program
10th Place – Fremont High School

Parker and Jimmy now advance to the national finals at the Ford Motor Company Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan on June 9-12, 2013. They will compete against students from 49 other states to debug a 2013 Ford Focus SE. The team with the fewest quality-of-workmanship demerits and the best combined total score—repair time and written exam—will be the winner.

Left to right: Chris Hohnbaum, Rick Bouillon, Jimmy Hicken, Seth McVea,
Parker Thomas, Brett Baird, Jeff Broadhead, Dave Milliken

At the national competition participating students will be awarded scholarships, trophies, apparel, certificates, shop manuals, and automotive equipment. Contestants will also have the opportunity to be considered for automotive technician and other service specialist positions with Ford Motor Company dealers, AAA affiliated service facilities, and other sponsoring organizations.

UtahCTE wishes Parker and Jimmy the best as they compete for the national Ford/AAA Auto Skills title.

Related articles:
Provo High team wins Ford/AAA vehicle repair competition,
The Salt Lake Tribune, May 2, 2013
Provo High students named state’s best auto techs,
Fox13now.com, May 2, 2013
Utah’s top high school mechanics gather for automotive competition,
Deseret News, May 3, 2013
Utah’s tip high propagandize mechanics accumulate for automotive competition,
Utah News, May 3, 2013

IT workers are found in occupations with a computer-related focus. These occupations are found in nearly every organization, and not only are they in demand, they also pay higher than average wages. So how do you get started in an IT career? General computer literacy is a must, and more specific skills like wireless networking, familiarity with information security, problem-solving, and attention to detail are also important. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor’s degree is the usual educational qualification for the occupations listed in the table below. However, by linking to actual Utah job openings listed for these occupational titles, you will find that many employers are willing to work with students who have developed some technical expertise. For example, a link from Software Developer, Applications reveals a current job listing for a Junior Software Tester that invites students to apply. Similarly, Software Developers, Systems Software has a link to an opening for a Java Developer, for which the education level is “high school diploma,” though there are a number of high level skills needed in order to apply.

High school students who pursue an IT Pathway will most certainly have a competitive edge as they search for entry level jobs and apply to colleges. Learn about the opportunities for scholarships and student leadership development through your CTE Pathway participation. You can also read more about IT occupations, helpful certifications, and IT professional organizations in the Occupational Outlook Quarterly.

The Jordan Applied Technology Center invites you to the 6th Annual Biotechnology Poster Symposium at Utah Valley University on Friday, May 10, 2013. High school students from the Jordan Applied Technology Center will display and discuss their research project. This event is an opportunity for the public, including industry and business partners, to interact with some of Utah’s future scientists.

What: 6th Annual Biotechnology Poster Symposium

Who: High school students from the
Jordan Applied Technology Center

Where: Utah Valley University
800 West University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058

When: Friday, May 10, 2013
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
(Award Ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m.)

Biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. The bioscience industry is one of the most innovative and important economic drivers in the United States, accounting for over 1.6 million jobs and an additional 5 million jobs in the U.S. due to the economic multiplier effect. Bioscience jobs require a highly skilled workforce and therefore result in jobs paying on average 79 percent more than the average worker in the United States’ private sector.¹

Occupations in the field of Biotechnology include:

Biochemists and Biophysicists study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes such as cell development, growth, and heredity.

Biotechnology Technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.

Immunohematologists perform immunohematology tests, recommends blood problem solutions to doctors, and serves as consultant to blood bank and community: Visually inspects blood in specimen tubes for hemolysis.

Microbiologists study the growth, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi.

Toxicologists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.

Students can learn about careers in the field of Biotechnology through participating in Career and Technical Education (CTE). Talk to your school counselor about the Biotechnology Pathway at your school.

 ¹Biotechnology Industry Organization

By Gary Wixom
Assistant Commissioner for Career and Technical Education
Utah System of Higher Education

We continue to hear that at a time of high unemployment there are many jobs that go unfilled. The reason: American workers lack the necessary skills to fill those jobs. Many are blaming this on a lack of preparation in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.) During the 2013 session of the Utah State Legislature, a bill was passed to address these issues here in Utah. The bill “House Bill 139” created a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Action Center. The Action Center, and an Action Center Board, that is charged with providing science and technology-based education to elementary and secondary students and to expose public education students to college level science and technology disciplines.

According to “Utah’s Federal R & D and STEM Jobs Report” if we want the next generation of students to have jobs that provide a livable wage we need to make science research and development and STEM Education a top priority. Utah’s students need to know that by the year 2018, there will be 101,000 STEM-related jobs that will need to be filled. Most of these jobs will require some postsecondary education and training.

There is no question that the “STEM Problem” is getting worse, not better. The number of students interested in STEM careers here in Utah is slightly below the national average. According to data from the Utah System of Higher Education, the top 10 graduation majors for Utah Students in 2010 and 2011 were: 

Too often when national leaders focus on STEM issues, the discussion is centered only on Science and Math. Certainly these two areas are critically important. A solid foundation in math skills is essential to be “college and career ready”. Technology is also an important component of STEM. Technology covers a wide variety of career pathways that are in demand, have high wages, but at the same time do not always require a four-year degree.

Here are just a few of the great opportunities that exist in the “Technology” portion of STEM.

Educators: Let’s remember that Technology is an important part of the STEM discussion and make sure that students are aware that these Technology careers are a part of the solution to getting the United States working again, lowering the unemployment rate and helping to grow a dynamic economy for the future.

Students: Talk to your CTE teacher or school counselor about the many opportunities in STEM related careers.

By Julia Johnson, Family and Consumer Sciences student teacher, Hillcrest High School

On April 11, 2013 Hillcrest High School’s interior design class went on a fieldtrip to solidify their knowledge of the principles of design. They had the opportunity to visit the replica of Disney’s “UP” house. This house was originally built for the Parade of Homes and is located at 13215 South 5390 West in Herriman, Utah. Although the house is no longer available for public tours, people are welcome to take pictures from the outside. Every detail has been recreated on this house, including the garden hose reel and the weather vane. This is a fun new landmark and is a must-see for Utah residents!

The interior design students also visited Daybreak where they were able to tour 13 houses and identify the principles of design. This tour was similar to the Parade of Homes, where they could go through at their leisure and see well-designed homes. Each home has its own unique style, and students benefited from seeing good design in real life rather than from a picture. The fieldtrip was a huge success!

Interior design student, Alex Cherry commented, “The fieldtrip to Daybreak presented an excellent opportunity to get out of the classroom and see interior designs in action. Seeing various elements and principles of design in a real setting helped me to connect with it more than had I read about it. It reinforced what I already knew by actively seeking it out and defining it in the design. The fieldtrip activity engaged and involved me in real-world interior design, a refreshing change from a classroom setting.”

“The best part of the fieldtrip was when we went through the first three large houses, they were so pretty and there was so much excitement!” said interior design student Kaitlyn Parry.

Teachers interested in taking their class on a fieldtrip to Daybreak can make an appointment by contacting Daybreak at http://www.daybreakutah.com/.

What are your plans for the summer? Summer is not only a time to take a break from the day to day routine of going to school, but it is an excellent time to LEARN A NEW SKILL! By participating in one of the summer camps listed below you can learn a new skill, make new friends, while at the same have fun and create lasting memories. See which camp interests you and register today. Talk to your school counselor or CTE teacher to locate other summer camps in your area.

Utah Summer Camps
June—August
Learn a new skill at one of the many Utah summer camps.
Location: Varies
Ages: All ages
Cost: Tuition varies
Enrollment deadline: Varies

Youth Education
June 10—August 25
The University of Utah hosts a variety of classes for students of all ages. From graphic arts, to 3D game design, to exploring engineering, students will learn lifelong skills.
Location: University of Utah
Ages: All ages
Cost: Tuition varies
Enrollment deadline: Varies

2D Video Gaming Camp
June 10-14
Learn how to create video games by participating in hands-on exercises. Learn about pursuing a career in video game development and how to obtain the right education to get a job.
Location: Weber State University
Ages: Grades 9-12
Cost: $30.00 – registration fee includes T-shirt, book/software, and lunch
Enrollment deadline: May 31, 2013

4-H Summer Camps
June 10—August 5
Learn how to build and program a robot using Lego NXT Mindstorm at the NXT Robotics Camp. Learn outdoor survivor skills at the Roughin It Outdoors Camp. Learn how to perform fascinating experiments at the Investigating Science Camp.
Sponsored by: Utah State University Cooperative Extension
Location: Varies
Ages: All ages
Cost: Tuition varies
Enrollment deadline: Must register at least one week before camp.

Young Entrepreneurs Startup Camp (YES Camp)
June 12-21
A summer day camp to start your own business! Learn to find and recognize good ideas and then make them happen. Build your network (translation: make new friends and connect with people who can help you.) Receive mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs.
Location: Utah Valley University
Ages: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors
Cost: $149 — Earn 3 college credits
Enrollment: Applications are currently being accepted.

Biotechnology Summer Academy
July 8-12
Learn how research is done in labs through planning and practice of daily research experiments and activities. You will conduct hands-on experiments that impact actual scientific projects at Utah State University.
Location: Utah State University
Ages: High school juniors and seniors
Cost: $200 — registration fee includes five-days of room and board
Enrollment deadline: June 15, 2013

Girls Code @ CTEC – Summer Programming Workshop
July 8-12
Girls Code @ CTEC is a weeklong program designed to encourage high school age girls to learn and be involved with computer science. Learn how to create applications for Android phones and tablets using MIT’s AppInventor.
Location: Canyons Technical Education Center
Ages: High school girls, grades 9-12
Cost: $25
Enrollment: Applications are currently being accepted.

Biotechnology Camp
July 15-16 (Session 1)
July 17-18 (Session 2)
Learn about careers in biotechnology by participating in hands-on laboratory experiences. Extract and analyze your own DNA and learn about careers in biotechnology.
Location: Jordan Applied Technology Center (JATC)
Ages: Incoming 7th and 11th grade students
Cost: $10.00 — registration fee includes T-shirt and lunch
Enrollment deadline: July 8, 2013

Engineering Camp
July 29—August 1 (Session 1)
August 5-8 (Session 2)
Learn about the engineering behind what makes things work by participating in hands-on activities.
Location: Jordan Applied Technology Center (JATC)
Ages: Grades Incoming 9th and10th grade students
Cost: $10.00 — registration fee includes T-shirt and lunch
Enrollment deadline: June 1, 2013

Tell UtahCTE.org about the camp you attended, what you learned, and the hands-on experiences you participated in. Send your stories to UtahCTE@schools.utah.gov.

 Have a wonderful summer!
Learn, play, discover, and have fun!

By Cher Burbank, Kearns High School Work-Based Learning Specialist

Last month I took five student interns on a field trip to the newly built, state-of-the-art Adobe Headquarters located just past the point of the mountain in Lehi. Utah. The visit to Adobe was in conjunction with SHIFT (Spy Hop Institute For Teachers), a digital media professional development non-profit organization, established in 2006, that trains educators on how to integrate the filmmaking process and other digital storytelling techniques into educational settings. Throughout the year I have been involved in the SHIFT program and have used the digital media strategies, resources, and tools with my students.

Left to right: Elizabeth Warner, Autumn Schley,
Chandra Carlson, Hailie Blatnick, and Ammon Asato

In my classroom, students use Adobe Premiere Elements to produce a six-word memoir about what career they are interested in. The six-word memoir is a scaffolding exercise that gets students writing in a concise format and turning the prose into a visual tale. It’s also a malleable way to delve into software, creating a short movie using stills, narration, and text.

Teachers from across the state of Utah who are involved with SHIFT took their students to Adobe for the review and critique of their media projects. In total, 60 middle school and high school teachers and students visited Adobe, where a handful of Adobe volunteers watched and reviewed the students’ work in preparation for a big-screen event at the downtown Salt Lake City Library in late May. The projects ranged from graphic illustrations and photographs, to short documentary films and PSAs. The students were also a part of the “critical review process,” learning how to look at media critically and give feedback to peers in a constructive and meaningful way.

Ammon Asato, a senior at Kearns High School, said, “We learned how to use positive reinforcement to critique other’s work. The [Adobe] building is awesome, I would go there again. It’s good that Adobe is close to home and that they work with our schools.”

Being in the Adobe building was a highlight. The students ate it up and enjoyed their tour, free pizza (in an immaculate and very “green” cafe area) and the attention from other teachers and Adobe employees to their work authenticated the experience. It was also a great eye opener to endless career possibilities, and a motivator for these students to rework their projects in light of the feedback and in preparation the final exhibition. We are all looking forward to seeing their final products, knowing that their commitment to the digital media-making process was what got them there. The event in May should be a great showing of commitment and collaboration.

On Thursday, May 2, 2013 ten Utah high school teams will compete in the Ford/AAA Auto Skills competition at Salt Lake Community College. Each team will be tested on their ability to trouble-shoot, correctly diagnose, and repair an intentionally bugged vehicle. This hands-on competition not only tests the students’ automotive knowledge and problem solving skills, but also tests their ability to work under pressure as they race against the clock to complete the assigned task in 90 minutes.

The schools participating in the Ford/AAA Auto Skills competition are:

High School: Clearfield
Teacher: Ed Schirner
Student Team: Dakota Sexson, Parker Fisher

High School: Davis
Teacher: Tom Housley
Student Team: Cameron Ramage, Zachary Delbo

High School: Fremont
Teacher: Arne Erisoty
Student Team: Dallin Krebs, Richard Nielson

High School: Hillcrest
Teacher: Jeff Murri
Student Team: Peter Jorgensen, David Blanski

High School: Northridge
Teacher: Rodney Stevenson
Student Team: Jensson Ostler, Daryl Smith

High School: Provo
Teacher: Seth McVea
Student Team: Parker Thomas, Jimmy Hicken

High School: Riverton
Teacher: Jay Hales
Student Team: Hayden Haslam, Caden Knight

High School: Timpview
Teacher: Rich Lamb
Student Team: Jacob Lamb, Letalanoama Storey

High School: USU Eastern
Teacher: Richard Dye
Student Team: Devin Huff, Phillip Raich

High School: Woods Cross
Teacher: Evan Kirk
Student Team: Steven Allcott, Taylor Wise

The Ford/AAA Auto Skills competition is a national competition for high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing a career as an automotive service technician. The winning team will advance to the National Ford/AAA Auto Skills competition to be held June 9-12, 2013 at Ford Motor Company Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.