Local and state officials join Biddeford Regional Technology Center staff and students to announce $2,500 grant for We Work’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) talent pipeline for Health. Contribution / Biddeford School Department
On January 17, the Biddeford Regional Technology Center (BRCOT) received a $2,500 STEM Talent Pipeline grant from We Work for Health. This grant is intended for use with STEM: science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs, according to a press release from the Biddeford School Department. During the grant presentation, four BRCOT students spoke about their programs and experience at BRCOT and highlighted a specific project they completed.
Jackson Howard, a student at Thornton Academy in Saco, passed on his passion for medical science. Howard is currently enrolled in the Introductory Medical Sciences program and plans to enroll in the Emergency Medical Services program next year. He proudly highlighted the practical and research components of the program and presented a detailed poster project of each component of a cell. “I have a much clearer career path thanks to the programming and support of the Technology Center,” Howard said.
Dominic Roberts, a Biddeford High School senior, spoke about enrolling in three BRCOT programs: business, welding and technical math. In Roberts’ presentation, he focused on technical mathematics by demonstrating a simple variable resistor, explaining how mathematical calculations can be performed to determine the circuit current at certain lengths of the graphite resistor. He shared some of the different projects he has done in engineering math and shared his experiences in the welding program, as well as many projects he helped create for the community.
Jack Squires, a junior at Thornton Academy, is in his first year of the Machining/Manufacturing Technology program. Squires shared his enthusiasm for the program, BRCOT and everything that is offered. He then shared the project he is currently working on – making a ball peen hammer – and showed the plans he worked on to make the product, as well as two products created by the second year students: motors pneumatic tires and a parallel gripper. “Being able to create these components from a block of metal is rewarding,” Squires added.
Anne Mathiang shared her experience as a third-year student at BRCOT. Mathiang enrolled at BRCOT as a sophomore in the computer technology program, and now, as a senior at Biddeford High School, she is completing her sophomore year of engineering. She presented her favorite project to date, the “Joystick Adapter”. Mathiang and his classmates teamed up with a community member to design and create adapters for his wheelchair joystick to meet his needs as he faces a progressive illness. She shared her 3D printed prototypes, photos and videos of her and her classmates consulting with their customer, as well as videos of the customer using the adapters.
We Work For Health partners with local legislative leaders to provide grants to STEM talent pipelines. Looking to the future, this organization recognizes that developing tomorrow’s treatments and cures depends on preparing today’s workforce with the appropriate skills and knowledge, according to the press release. Investing in STEM education is essential to creating a pipeline of talent that will lead the next generation of breakthroughs.
State and local officials in attendance included: Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, Sen. Henry Ingwersen, Rep. Traci Gere, Rep. Marc Malon, Rep. Marshall Archer, Rep. Lori Gramlick and Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman.
“We thank our local and state officials for their confidence in our programs,” said Paulette Bonneau, director of the Biddeford Regional Technology Center. “Every penny counts in the education of our youth, and we appreciate the We Work for Health organization for this grant. »
To learn more about We Work for Health and its grants, visit weworkforhealth.org/
Copy story link