It has been a long, cold, drawn-out spring. In spite of this, there is new growth and exciting prospects ahead.
After two difficult years, now is the time to take a moment to reflect on all the great work everyone has done. The events of the past two years have proven that the skills and experiences you are offering students are more important than ever. Thank you for your continued commitment and extraordinary efforts!
Teachers across the state have not only maintained their Trade and Industry programs, but have strived to expand their courses and improve their labs and equipment. Based on information you have provided, I have been working with a variety of stakeholders to increase the professional development opportunities and resources for Trade and Industry teachers. With your help, we can continue to add new offerings to the collection.
In this newsletter, I have information about a number of conferences and events. There are also reminders about summer workshops, grant/scholarship opportunities, and free resources. I will keep sending out information, but please send me any items you come across and want to share with the community!
Take care, stay safe, and enjoy the final weeks of the school year!
Tim Barrett
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Minnesota Department of Education Relocates to Minneapolis
After 23 years in Roseville, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is excited to announce its new office location in Minneapolis, effective March 1. The department’s lease in Roseville ended in February 2022. The new location will provide MDE with the space to carry out its work on behalf of Minnesota students, families, educators and school and library communities. The State of Minnesota has signed a 10-year lease for the Minneapolis location.
The new location is currently under construction, and MDE staff will continue to telework. Minnesotans are encouraged to continue contacting MDE staff by phone or email, or at 651-582-8200, and mde.contactus@state.mn.us.
Physical mail can be sent to the new address at 400 NE Stinson Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55413 effective immediately. Once construction is complete, MDE staff will welcome students, educators, families, and Minnesotans from across the state to the new location.
Inventory of Funded Programs to Support Education Workforce
An online resource "Diversifying the Teacher Workforce: Inventory of Funded Programs" was created by Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), the Office of Higher Education (OHE) and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) to provide a high-level overview of funded programs that could be utilized locally to support and diversify the CTE educator workforce. This resource is a living document that will be edited and revised as appropriate.
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2MTEC Manufacturing Educator Conference – Early Bird Deadline is May 31!
The Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence is holding a three-day, high-impact conference specifically designed for career and technical educators and postsecondary educators at the Anoka Technical College. The event will provide leading-edge industry knowledge and educational techniques for teaching in-demand CTE skills. Topics will include machining, mechatronics, tool and die, employability skills, welding, and more! Check out the 2MTEC Conference website for more information.
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SCSU Summer Workshops
St. Cloud State University (SCSU)'s Department of Environmental and Technological Studies offers a number of online and in-person courses to assist Trade and Industry teachers with licensure, now including courses for a work-based learning endorsement.
Please check the SCSU website for more information and to register.
Siemens Summer Teacher Trainings
You are invited to attend the Siemens Virtual Training Symposium. All trainings will be based on 40 contact hours to help secondary school teachers with the skills and confidence necessary to deliver the Siemens Engineering Design, Manufacturing and Automation or Mechatronics and the Internet of Things (IoT) curriculum both in the classroom and virtually. The curriculum, CAD, and teacher training are all free. For more information, please contact Tom at tomwhitestem@gmail.com.
Realityworks Webinars
Realityworks is offering two summer webinars over the summer:
- Implementing New Welding Products – June 8, 1-1:45 p.m.
- NEW Remote Control (RC) Tractor Pull Product Demonstration – August 18, 1-1:45 p.m.
Find information for those webinars and others at the Realityworks website.
ABYC Foundation Educator Training Conference
On July 20-21 in 2022, the ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) Foundation will host the third ABYC Foundation Educator Training Conference. This all-online event will bring both high school and post-secondary marine service technology instructors/administrators together for professional development with industry. Contact Executive Director, Margaret Podlich at mpodlich@abycfoundation.org.
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2022 Minnesota State Summer Camp Directory is Here!
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities are offering over 80 summer camps for middle and high school students across the state. Most opportunities are free or low cost and span a variety of interest areas including manufacturing, graphic design, engineering/design, computer science, photography, STEM and more! Information on the camps is available at the Minnesota State website.
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CAV Career Pathways Camp
The University of Minnesota MN CAV (Connected and Automated Vehicles) Ecosystem program provides a free one-week camp for grade 10-12 graders from August 8 to 12 on the Twin Cities campus. The students have hands-on opportunities with automated vehicles, field trips, info sessions with U of MN researchers, and career exploration in the CAV field. See more information at the MN CAV Ecosystem webpage.
MHCA Scholarship
The Minnesota Heating & Cooling Association (MHCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of the HVAC industry. The MHCA will once again be offering MHCA scholarships to students pursuing a career in the HVAC field. Individuals who are seeking a career in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) field are invited to apply.
Multiple $1,000.00 scholarships may be available. Applications are due May 31, 2022.
Construction Career Scholarships
A great number of Minnesota’s construction-related associations offer scholarships for young people seeking careers in the industry. Check out the Project Build MN website for organizations that are offering scholarships. Take a look!
Tech Trac Student Sponsorship Program
Luther Tech Trac is a program dedicated to supporting a select group of the best and brightest students who have shown passion and ambition for a career in the Automotive Technician fields. Find benefits and requirements at the Luther Tech Trac website.
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MDE Trade and Industry Page
Check out the webpage at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for Trade and Industry for the most recent information about the various topics concerning Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas of Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation (plus Aviation/Aerospace), and Communications Technology (plus Computer Science/Information Technology.)
IEEE REACH
IEEE REACH provides pre-university teachers with free, open educational resources that situate science, technology, and engineering in their social and humanistic contexts. The resources include inquiry designed lesson plans, hands-on activities and short engaging videos. A new addition is a history of drones. Check it out at the IEEE REACH website.
DEED Job Skills Transfer Assessment Tool (JOBSTAT)
Use this Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) tool to find occupations that are a good match for your students’ skills and work interests. Find out how their skills, knowledge and abilities can transfer to other careers. Go to the DEED website to try it!
Check Out These Additional Career Exploration or Curriculum Resources:
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Online Learning Resource Center
Check the Online Learning Resource Center (OLRC) for updates or new resources. You can also share your thoughts, questions, and additional resources at OLRCfeedback@minnstate.edu.
Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence Teacher Facebook Page
A Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence Teacher Facebook page is available specifically for teachers of transportation to ask specific questions about online learning challenges.
MTEEA Facebook Page
The Minnesota Technology and Engineering Educators Association (MTEEA) also hosts an MTEEA Facebook page for teachers to ask specific questions about online learning challenges.
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Want to let folks know about a great project or new program or initiative? Know of a great resource or professional development opportunity you would like to share? Have a burning question that needs answering?
Let me know about it so I can include it in an upcoming newsletter. If you have images that go with the information, please send it along to Tim Barrett (timothy.barrett@state.mn.us).
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Professional Organizations:
- International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA) – Find more information at the ITEEA website.
- Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) – Learn more at the ACTE website.
Minnesota-Based Partner Organizations:
- Midwest Teachers of Transportation and Industrial Areas (MTTIA) – Sign up to join at the MTTIA website.
- Minnesota Technology and Engineering Education Association (MTEEA) – Get more information at the MTEEA website.
- SkillsUSA Minnesota – For more information, visit the Minnesota chapter of SkillsUSA at the SkillsUSA Minnesota website.
- Minnesota Association of Career and Technical Administrators (MACTA) – Check out how MACTA helps support CTE on the MACTA website.
Minnesota State’s Centers of Excellence
Explore the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence.
Labor Market Infographics
This page has links to a number of helpful infographics that provide key data to parents concerning the value of CTE career pathways.
RealTime Talent Minnesota Career & Technical Education Pathway Reports
These labor market reports and corresponding presentations provide future trends in workforce needs by regions of Minnesota.
DEED Regional Labor Market Profiles
Downloadable information about jobs/careers most needed per state region.
Advisory Committee Handbook
This handbook was developed to help build and sustain a strong and active advisory committee.
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