With big shoes to fill, the Greenville Automotive Technology program unveiled its 2016-17 competition project during the fall advisory committee meeting, held Thursday, Oct. 6.
“Gaining Traction in the Automotive Industry” will explore the various careers offered by the automotive industry, explained instructors Jim Anderson and Travis Nicholas.
The 2015-16 auto tech project, “Powering the Future” featured ideas on alternative fuels and the future of electric cars. The project earned third place in the nation during competition this past June in Louisville, Ky.
This year’s competition group hopes to continue the winning tradition set by the 2015-16 team.
Students selected to work as the presentation team for this school year include Shelbi Miller, Austin Lacey and Nathan Remencus, with Caleb Baker as the alternate.
With Toyota as the corporate sponsor for 2016-17, students have already started building their hands-on project, which features a Toyota Camry tire as the main element.
According to Anderson, students will research how and why this tire was specifically designed for use on the Camry and learn about job descriptions of those working on the tire from its conception and design and to the development of safety components and installation and use.
“They’ll be looking at jobs beyond being a technician,” Anderson said. “It’s not just about turning wrenches.”
Anderson said the competition projects completed by his students help them apply what they’ve learned and understand the variety of job opportunities in the automotive field.
“I believe in project-based education,” Anderson said.
Students were asked to pick a car part for the technical portion of the competition, Anderson said. The tire meets that requirement.
Auto Tech students will travel to Georgetown, Ky. on Oct. 17 to tour the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky plant.
Anderson also told the advisory committee, which includes representatives from several area dealerships, auto parts stores and college-level auto tech programs, the Greenville Auto Technology program may have the opportunity to be featured in a new teacher’s guide being prepared by NATEF – the National Automotive Technicians Education program. The guide will include a video taping of the Greenville Automotive Technology Advisory Committee’s March meeting, Anderson said. The video training would highlight the school’s successful auto program as well as the positive community support of advisory committee members.
Attending the fall advisory committee were Dale Mansfield, Dave Knapp Ford; James Halderman, Pearson Education; Justin Morgan, Sinclair; Shelbi Miller, auto student; Nathan Remencus, auto student; Tim Miller, SVG Chevrolet; Bob Riggs, SVG Chevrolet; Jim Truxal, Sinclair; Karla Holtzapfel, Greenville High School; Kris Tegtmeyer, O’Reilly Auto Parts; Monty Hamilton, Hamilton Auto Sales; Stan Hughes, Greenville High School; Sarah Smith, Honda Training Center; Rob Widener, Greenville City Schools; Andrew Grasty, Greenville City Schools; Darin Young, Hittle Buick GMC Inc.; Rebecca Curtis, Greenville High School; and Ron Fair, Schultz Motors.
The next meeting of the advisory committee is planned for March 2.
This article originally appeared on earlybirdpaper.com
