Page 6 - TTWinter2022-2023

6 | Transportation Today Wisconsin™ Online Edition: www.transportationtodaywi.com

Wausau East Transportation Program Expands to Include More Dual Credit

measurement, and engine theory of opera- site transportation classes may be eligible
tion/construction. Student experiences will to participate in the local college’s Auto
include: engine rebuilding, troubleshoot- Academy during their senior year of
ing and two and four-cycle engine theory. high school. Academy coursework will
Students should expect to spend the major- be taught on campus, at the college, by
ity of their time in the lab. their instructors. The Auto Academy will
• Auto Awareness: This course covers prepare students to be workforce-ready
basic systems of the automobile. units of through Youth Apprenticeship at area
instruction include: tools, auto products, businesses, and they will earn an Auto-
ignition, fuel, electrical, cooling, general motive Maintenance & Light repair
maintenance, interior/exterior care, and Technical diploma. All credits (a tuition
new/used car purchasing. This course pro- value of $1,800) transfer to the college’s
vides a theory of operation and practical associate degrees or technical diplomas,
lab experiences for the automobile owner. so students will have a jump start to con-
• Occupational Mechanics I: Introduc- tinue their education after high school.
tion to the automotive service industry • Youth Apprenticeship — Transporta-
including safety and the use of basic hand tion: Students have the opportunity to
Diana White, Coordinator of visit Wausau East High School to work with stu- and power tools to help the prospective jump-start their careers by enrolling in
Youth Apprenticeship (YA) where they
Communications & Marketing dents in the class on trucks. In addition, once a automobile technician work safely and earn credit while working on the job. YA
Jon Winter, LVEC/CTE Coordinator year, students actually get to travel to train in the efficiently. Students will learn to perform placements are available in auto mechan-
Wausau School District college’s facility. It’s the hands-on opportunities basic under-hood and under-car services ics, diesel or auto body and collision.
Wausau East High School, located within and lessons that mean the world to students. including: Basic Maintenance, Steering,
Suspension, Brakes,
the Wausau School district, is home to an 8,000- “It’s been a neat deal. It’s been very well and Tune-up. This
square foot automotive shop that gives students, received. It’s a way for the students to get course is based on
130 to 150 on average per year, the opportunity another instructor’s perspective with this and hands-on lab activi-
to learn all three career areas within the trans- interact with a real live college instructor. The ties supported by
portation pathway: Auto Technicians, Auto kids are getting a lot more with this than just classroom opera-
Collision, and diesel Mechanics. a regular dual credit class,” said Mark Poppe, tional theory of
The shop, built after the passing of a com- Wausau East Automotive Teacher. automotive systems.
munity-wide referendum in 2015, features three Students are able to get 4 credits through The students will
two-point hoists, two four-point hoists, one the class. have the oppor-
heavy duty four-post hoist for semi/diesel, a low The Wausau East Automotive Program tunity to work on
rise hoist for auto collision, a paint booth and also works closely with another local techni- their own vehicle
paint mixing room, as well as, new state-of-the- cal college to make dual credit opportunities repairs. Addition-
art wheel alignment equipment, a tire balancer, in other courses available to students. It’s these ally, students will
and an attached classroom. It also has its own partnerships with local colleges that truly help be introduced to the
semi truck that students can work on. the Wausau School district prepare students for basics of autobody/
Students are able to take a wide variety life after high school. collision repair as
of courses including an Introduction to diesel other classes available to students in the well as painting.
class, which they can actually receive dual credit Wausau East Automotive Shop include: Students who suc-
for through a partnership with a nearby technical • Introduction to Power Mechanics: cessfully complete this course will receive Students are matched with a mentor that
college. This course is designed for students who dual credit through a technical college. teaches them all aspects of the business
What makes this opportunity unique, in are interested in exploring the internal while earning a paycheck and elective
particular, is that the college’s diesel instructor combustion engine as well as basic pro- • Occupational Mechanics II: This class is credit.
meets virtually with students every Tuesday. fessional shop procedures/tasks. during a continuation of occupational Mechan-
Then, the instructor makes it a point to actually this class students will explore basic tools, ics I. The course develops entry level While students can work on their own
skills/competencies in the following ASE vehicles in the automotive shop, they can also
(National Institute for Automotive Service work on ‘customer vehicles’ that are dropped
Excellence) areas: Suspension & Steering, off at the beginning of the day. Students diag-
Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, and nose them, develop quotes, order parts, install
Engine Performance. Time will be spent the parts and repair, and help with billing. All
both in class and at the jobsite (where experiences that still set them up for success
applicable). In the lab and at the jobsite after high school.
(where applicable) students will gain “This automotive facility at Wausau East
hands-on experience with state-of-the- is a shining example of what happens when
art tools and large-scale diagnostic/repair administration, businesses, and community
equipment, develop employability skills members are all pulling in the same direction.
and spend time developing a good resume. This is truly a win-win scenario in our commu-
Lab work will be performed mainly on late nity and our school district,” said Poppe.
model donated vehicles; however, students All of which align to the Wausau School
will have the opportunity to work on their district’s mission of advancing student learn-
own vehicle repairs. Students who suc- ing, achievement, and success.
cessfully complete this course will receive
dual credit through a technical college.
• Auto Academy (off campus): Students www.wausauschools.org
who successfully complete the prerequi-