The Complete MTA Student = Academics, Technology, and Attitude

MTA prepares students with the skills and competencies necessary to meet employer performance standards. All of the following areas of technology are covered by the students of MTA. They also learn to integrate all skills to see how each relates to the world of manufacturing. The students work step-by-step over each skill until the skill is mastered and can be demonstrated to the instructor.
• Academics • Electrical Systems • Hydraulics • Quality Control • Automated Material Handling • Pneumatics • Design • Manufacturing Processes • Automated Material Handling • Attitude	Seniors Andrew C. and Kevin F. work on their entry for the OhioTech Competition, hosted in Marrion, Ohio
	Juniors Alex G. and teammates work on the electronic component of their catapult project.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT.... Langford Teams Training Experience Every year, all MTA juniors and seniors’ classes are suspended while they spend a week with a Tool Time book. The purpose of this Tool Time book is to show students the best possible problem solving steps to take. It also gives ideas on how to display progress and data to make presenting easier and more effective. Thanks to the help of local manufacturers, students get the chance to work in small teams within a company in order to diagnose a problem and try to solve it. Seth K., Stephanie M., and Casey S. work together on creating codes of cooperation for their team. The first two days of the project are spent helping students prepare for the task and function in groups. The main focus of the two-day seminar is to familiarize the students with their team as well as provide insight to company problem solving processes. The next three to four days are spent in the company taking notes, asking questions, and gathering data as well as creating graphs and charts. Once the week is over, the students present their findings to members of the host company and create a formal company technical report. A company technical report contains everything from the initial condition and problem statement to the analysis of causes. It is a thorough report that goes into detail about the problem including the steps taken as well as the things that could be contributing to the problem. It also provides all of the relevant flip charts, graphs and figures in document form. Through this experience, MTA students learn and demonstrate teamwork as well as problem solving skills through real life hands-on experience. Junior Catapult Project Annually the juniors of MTA participate in a group catapult project that incorporates both English and technical skills. During the second nine weeks of the semester, the juniors are broken down into groups of three and four to work together in creating a catapult along with an engineering manual. First, the teams must collect information on all the different types of catapults and generate ideas for creating their own. Next, the juniors must begin to plan what their catapult’s design will be. Each team must turn in three proposed designs for their catapult. These designs are done on a Computer Aided Design (CAD) program, to incorporate one of the technical skills learned at MTA. After the design proposals are voted upon, and one is selected, the construction period begins. Each team works Junior Mosiah S. takes a trial test with his ballista styled catapult. together to create a catapult that can be launched remotely and incorporates area from the tech lab such as; automated material handling, CAD, electrical systems, fluid power, machining, and quality assurance. The catapult should be able to launch a ping-pong ball into two buckets. One bucket is at a distance of 25 feet, and another is 10 feet away. The team must also produce an instructional and operational manual that can be used to work the catapult. This part of the project encompasses the use of instructional English writing skills. The project typically lasts the duration of a month. This year the projects were a hit for all groups.

MTA BUSINESS QUOTES

"The mentor program is a relaxed way for students to ask questions and learn about industry. The MTA program is a great way for students to develop a career path and strong future." —Kim Dunnebacke, Textron Power Transmission/Cone Drive Operations

"This is a great opportunity for business to be closely involved with the future workforce. It also allows students the opportunity to be involved in the workplace during their educational phase." —Tony DeMerle, E & R Industries

"The manufacturers in the community are committed to making the Academy a successful experience for the students. We realize that we have to be involved, from helping to plan the curriculum to mentoring to providing meaningful experiences in our businesses."
—Bill Ritchie, Cone Drive Textron

"Our mission is to familiarize the students with the many challenging and rewarding careers available in manufacturing and prepare our students to be successful in their pursuit of these careers." —Ken Berg, Tool North, Inc.

MTA STUDENT QUOTES

“MTA has helped prepare me for college and all of the responsibilities that I need for college, and MTA is a good introduction to business management which is the field I want to go into.”  —Jake L. (senior) Kingsley High School

“From MTA, I have expanded my knowledge in the engineering field.  With this, I have been able to get a jump start in my future career. Attending MTA, also has given me the chance to make many new friends from area schools.” —Darren D. (senior) Bellaire High School

“ I think MTA is great. I love it because it provides many opportunities for a good education.” —Katie S. (senior) Buckley High School

“MTA has enabled me to understand the importance of having good communication skills.”
—James D. (senior) Northport High School

“MTA is fun and the program has helped me with my teamwork skills.” —Reese S. (junior) Forest Area High School

“MTA is fun, educational, and it teaches you about the real world.” —Mike B. (junior) Mancelona High School

“I don’t think kids understand how good of an opportunity this is. I think that it is a great alternative to a public school if you are questioning your schedule. They can always work out your high school credits.” —Mosiah S. (junior) TC West High School

“I like it a lot because there are fewer kids here. Students in public schools are there because they have to be there. Students are here because they want to be here and because they want to succeed makes it a better learning environment. This place is also geared for real life situations which prepares you for the real world.” —Tom N. (junior) Bellaire High School

"It makes you think differently. It’s a different way of approaching a problem. You never really do teamwork projects at your home school. They face you with real life situations. It is more challenging and more rewarding." —Alex G. (junior) Glen Lake High School

Business Advisors
Robin Anderson, Elk Rapids H.S.
Ken Berg, Tool North
Jim Campbell, Tower Automotive
Marguerite Cotto, NMC
Tony DeMerle, E&R Industrial
Kim Dunnebacke
Matt Groleau, RJG, Inc.
Todd Heger, Wayne Wire

Al Jordan

Carl Kucsera, Dura Automotive Systems
Sanjay Mishra, Boride Products
Matt Rokos, Bond Fluidaire, Inc.
Kevin Schlueter, Skilled Manufacturing
Paul Stewart
Mike Weitschat, Fawcett/Dopke Agency

Barb Howard, Lear Corporation