Meadville, PA - July 2007

You may be surprised to learn that few educational programs taught in our schools today aim to help students make the connection between what they do in the classroom and how the classroom lesson will apply in the world of work. Such is the daily struggle faced by Richard Gosnell, a science and physics teacher at Cambridge Springs Jr. - Sr. High School. However, for one week, Richard traded in his teaching cap for one as a student in the high tech workplace of a precision injection molding company in an effort to help bridge this gap in his classroom.

“When I started this project, I had hopes of perhaps learning more about computer aided design (CAD) and possibly some metalworking skills that I could use to help with a robotics program. While I did learn these things, I learned so much more from the staff of Tech Molded Plastics that I can now take back to the classroom,” stated Gosnell. “I learned about lean manufacturing, about running a successful business and the important role played by quality and marketing. In addition, I learned what skills high tech employers are looking for in employees and most importantly, how working together to solve problems can make the difference between success and failure.”

Richard enrolled as an Educator-in-the-Workplace through the Crawford County School-to-Work Partnership and was instrumental in his schools participation in a smart sports program using robotics called BattleBots IQ. Gosnell found the BattleBots experience to be very valuable for his students, helping to teach them skills that they would normally not encounter in the classroom; applied math and physics, business, manufacturing, in conjunction with time sensitive problem solving and teamwork.

Gosnell finished his week at Tech by creating four prototype chassis using materials donated by Highpoint Tool and Machine during the BattleBots program. Gosnell plans to use the chassis in lean manufacturing type exercises to help students learn teamwork and communication skills while familiarizing them with the tools and materials they will encounter in the BattleBots IQ program.

“Tech became involved with the Educator-in-the-Workplace program because we believe in improving the quality of learning that students receive. The life-lessons taught in BattleBots IQ and the Educator-in-the-Workplace programs expose students and educators to skills that they can use not only for high tech careers, but for careers in business and life in general,” said Tracy Coon, Tech’s Human Resource Manager.

Educators in the Workplace
As Richard closed out his week long experience in the high-tech molding company, he stated, “The employees at Tech helped me focus on fundamentals and assisted me in coming up with a project I can take back to my classroom to help impart these valuable lessons to my students.”

The Educator-in-the-Workplace Program offers educators the opportunity to participate in week-long externship at a local business. Each educator participates in a five day, forty hour per week training program that include orientation, education regarding the specifics of the company that serves as the externship site and debriefing meetings. The goal of the program is to improve students’ education by assisting in bringing school-based and work-based learning closer together. This helps both the student and the educator make a better connection between the lessons learned in the classroom and how they apply in the real world of work. Educators pay a minimal fee of $50 and receive 50 hours of Act 48 credits for their efforts.

Tech and Mr. Gosnell were connected through shared interest and participation in the BattleBots IQ Program that the local chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association sponsored back in May 2007. Tech is a major sponsor of the event and Gosnell acted as the Primary Adult Supervisor for two Cambridge Springs HS BattleBots teams.

Tech Molded Plastics, LP is a precision tooling and mold making facility that was founded in 1973 by Bill and Eva Hanaway. Tech is located in Meadville, PA and has earned a reputation for community involvement as well as world-class molded products for the medical, automotive, aviation, consumer and electronics markets.