A Utica
Community Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) academy has
received a $1.2 million donation from a private donor.
The
Stevenson Manufacturing, Automation and Design Engineering (MADE)
academy, which opened this year, has received the private contribution
based on the district’s proven history of effectively bridging the gap
between student skills and industry needs, superintendent Dr. Christine
Johns announced.
“We
greatly appreciate the generous support for an innovative program that
develops skills in graduates that businesses need for our region’s
future economic growth,” superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. “The
donor was clear that the district’s reputation for educational
innovation and its commitment to academic excellence were the driving
force for the investment in our students.”
Dr.
Johns noted that in providing financial support, the donor – who
requested to remain anonymous – specifically targeted accelerating the
opportunity for students by funding start-up costs, professional
learning opportunities for teachers and fabrication and manufacturing
equipment that provide students industry-level experiences.
“What
Utica Community Schools is once again doing is leading the effort to
realize how much times have changed and how much education has changed,”
U.S. Congressman Sandy Levin said at a recent MADE open house. “I want
to take my hat off to this school district for once again providing the
leadership that is so necessary. You are the wave of the future, and may
other places catch this wave.”
The
professional development opportunities featured training provided by the
Henry Ford Learning Institute, which demonstrated how to integrate the
Design Thinking process into core classes and courses dedicated to the
MADE pathways.
Students
are immersed in the Design Thinking Process (empathy, define, ideate,
prototype test) through projects in small learning communities. The
projects focus on hands-on skills in math, science technology and
engineering as it applies to advanced manufacturing.
The donation also funded equipment for the fabrication program, including a plasma cutter and vertical and horizontal saws.
The
district also acquired Snap circuits and Vex Robotics equipment to give
students hands-on experiences for advanced manufacturing careers.
Stevenson
MADE began in September with 85 ninth grade students. A new grade level
will be enrolled each of the next three years, until Stevenson MADE is a
complete high school program that will serve nearly 400 students.
Parents and area community leaders recently attended a dedication and open house to introduce MADE.
“Utica
Community Schools is a driving force in how we reconnect with these kids
and give them an opportunity to see what’s out there,” County Executive
Mark Hackel said at the event. “With what you see happening here, the
students truly have it MADE.”