| The Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge Centers for Manufacturing
Technology (ORCMT) functions as a primary resource for the Tennessee Governor's
School for Manufacturing.
The Governor's School for Manufacturing, the first governor's school
of its kind in the nation, is held during the summer at the University
of Tennessee at Knoxville. The newest of seven Tennessee Governor's Schools,
it gives students who are rising high school juniors and seniors an opportunity
to study technological, engineering, and business strategies in the field
of advanced manufacturing, and to interact with a variety of businesses
in Tennessee, including the Saturn car company and Alcoa.
Students are organized into simulated manufacturing businesses and make
the full range of business decisions in such areas as securing initial
venture capital, monitoring
production lines, and reporting to stockholders.
At ORCMT's Manufacturing Skills Campus, the teams participate in manufacturing
training modules. Instructors include engineers, machinists, and
electricians with expertise in personal computer technology, product design,
product fabrication, process control technology, and |
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process evaluation. The hands-on experience the students receive
at the Skills Campus has been modeled on advanced craft skills training
and manufacturing application academies successfully conducted for more
than 2000 students in the past four years.
The Governor's School for Manufacturing is being extended in 1998 to
include a comprehensive internet-accessible curriculum that emphasizes
the importance of manufacturing in the state and national economy and the
unparalleled career opportunities in manufacturing.
In addition, the entire Governor's School for Manufacturing will be
broadcast to Tennessee high schools live over the internet, using ordinary
PC's.
The internet medium will allow teams of students from different high
schools to compete, as well as cooperate, on specific curriculum projects.
An "electronic chat room" will allow students to communicate interactively
with other students across the state.
Funding for ORCMT's participation in the Governor's School program is
provided by the state and Department of Energy
Regional Outreach Initiatives. |
