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Educators from districts in Richland, Crawford and Morrow counties had the opportunity to participate in the region’s first Teacher Business Boot Camps last summer.
Participants gained first-hand experience of manufacturing careers and the skills students need to achieve and retain these local positions. In addition, Integrated Systems Technologies in Richland County sponsored a free 3D printer for a Richland County boot camp participant who designed a lesson, unit or project that best illustrates the use of 3D printing in a manufacturing environment.
“At IST, we continually advocate for schools and teachers to collaborate more closely with manufacturers in their region,” said Gabe McCready, president of the operation. “It’s so exciting to see a program doing just that, especially here in our community. “We want to help in any way we can.”
Denise Benson, a math teacher at Lexington Local Schools, won the printer for her “Math and Manufacturing” unit she created for her applied math course for high school students. The unit begins with a discussion of how mathematics is integrated into manufacturing. The various lessons include accuracy in measurements, precision in unit conversions, creating scale models, and examining meshes to develop a 3D model.
“I am honored to be the 3D Printer winner from the Teacher Business Boot Camp. “I firmly believe that after 32 years of teaching, I still have much to learn to better serve my students,” Benson said. “I look forward to finding new and meaningful ways to encourage my Lexington High School students to be lifelong learners and to embrace new technologies.”
Jeremy Secrist, superintendent of Lexington Local Schools, praised Benson’s innovative approach to teaching and how it led to her victory.
“I am not surprised that Denise Benson not only participated, but that she and her project won the 3D printer,” Secrist said. “Denise is always looking for innovative ways to challenge and motivate her students.” I would also like to thank Integrated Systems Technologies for donating the printer to the boot camp and for placing the printer in Denise’s room. She is already looking for more ways to use it with her students and I know she will put it to good use.”
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Secrist also thanked the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Business Advisory Council and the Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development for organizing the Teacher Business Boot Camp, calling it “an excellent opportunity for local teachers.”
If you would like to register for the 2024 Richland County Teacher Business Boot Camp, email Amy Wood at wood.amy@moesc.net. The boot camp focuses on technology careers in Richland County and is made possible through a partnership with the Chamber and a Microsoft TechSpark grant.