By BETH FISHER,

Engineering Instructor, LRTC

Lewiston Regional Technical Center has launched a new course that introduces girls to the trades and technology and allows them to explore various careers. Projections show that the majority of jobs in the decades to come will be in the technology sector. Trades such as electricity, machine tool, automotive, carpentry, computer repair, and computer networking will continue to need qualified technicians as well. Women are presently underrepresented in this growing area of the economy.

The Introduction to the Trades and Technology course is based in the Computer Assisted Engineering Lab and is taught by Don Jalbert and me. The students explore different careers by doing work in other programs at the LRTC as well.

Under the direction of instructor Norm Marcotte, students worked in the machine tool program to make a center punch using the lathe. They started with a piece of round steel stock and tapered one end. Knurling was put on the handle so that the user’s hand would not slip when using the finished punch. Each girl had a finished product to take home. Two students enjoyed this project so much they wanted to enroll immediately in the machine tool program.

Next, I taught the class how to use electronic components to build some basic circuits, including a timed flashing light and an alarm circuit. The young women were soon talking about potentiometers, capacitors, resistors, transistors, and light emitting diodes. They also learned how to use a multimeter to measure voltage and resistance.

Don Jalbert taught the students how to design a toolbox on CADKEY, a computer design program. After the design was complete, each girl made a toolbox out of pine in the carpentry shop. This project brought out students’ creativity, and toolboxes went home decorated with everything from flags to barnyard scenes.

An introduction to automotive maintenance put the students under the hoods of the shop autos, checking brake fluid, engine oil, and other essential fluids. Instructor Julien Lafebvre demonstrated how some fluids are dyed; this makes it easy to identify them and to ensure that they are not mixed or put into the wrong place. Lafebvre showed students how to make an inspection under the hood and look at the battery and the belts to see if there are any obvious problems.

So far, the young women enrolled in this course have learned new things and gained insight into possible career choices. In the weeks ahead, they will complete other projects, including building a computer from individual components, wiring a light switch, and programming a robot. Upcoming field trips will include a tour of the technology programs at Central Maine Community College and a day of activities at the United Technology Center in Bangor.