Canyon del Oro High School has Career Technical Education (CTE) programs including Architectural Drafting and Design Technology, Construction Technology, and Advanced Construction Technology.
In the Architectural Drafting and Design Technology class, students learn techniques of sketching, drafting, Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) programs, layout, design, blueprint interpretation, and all phases of drawing house plans. Instruction in construction and structural design, architectural and engineering drawings, problem solving, and 3D architectural rendering. Student build 3D house models from wood and foam board along with designing and constructing various assignments and other real life projects. Additionally, students have the chance to demonstrate their skills at state and national SkillsUSA competitions.
In the Construction Technology classes, students follow state standards in construction and have the opportunity to complete certifications in NCCER Core Construction and OSHA 10. They also learn and demonstrate skills in electrical, carpentry, plumbing, masonry, and are introduced to welding and finish carpentry.
I had the opportunity to speak at these classes about Engineering in general, HVAC-specific engineering, and ASHRAE. I encouraged the students, especially the female students in the class, to consider HVAC Engineering as a field of study as they approach college. I mentioned all the ways that ASHRAE can benefit them, including:
High School Senior Scholarships
College Undergraduate Scholarships
Internship and Job Opportunities
Design Competitions
Certifications
Leadership Roles at the University of Arizona Student Branch
It was great to see so much interest in pursing careers in building construction from the students. By reaching out to High School Seniors, there is a very good chance that the University of Arizona Student Branch of ASHRAE will see an increase in membership from college freshman, which should help greatly with maintaining and growing the Student Branch. If you have any questions about speaking at your local high schools, feel free to reach out to me (buzz@kwmech.com).