February 11, 2004

Cowley IT department holds annual technology day

More than 40 students from five area high schools got a closer look at technical education Wednesday during the 10th annual Industrial Technology Day at Cowley County Community College.

For nearly three hours, students rotated through six programs in Cowley's Walker Industrial Technology Building on the main campus. Automotive, welding, drafting, machine tool, non-destructive evaluation, and agriculture-related areas were featured. While Cowley instructors in each of those areas spoke to the students, many current Cowley students in those programs gave the demonstrations.

Students from Arkansas City, Caldwell, Cedar Vale, Wellington and Winfield high schools participated.

Brett Butler, Cowley's agriculture instructor, told a group of sophomores and juniors from Caldwell and Wellington that there was more to farming than "getting dirty."

"I try to shed light on new pictures of the agriculture industry," Butler said. "There are so many opportunities, including food science and food safety. And there's tons of jobs in research. There are a lot of opportunities where you don't have to get dirty."

Bruce Crouse, NDT instructor, explained his program and what NDT is all about.

"We'll teach you how to take these pictures and process the film," Crouse told students from Cedar Vale and Winfield. "We'll teach you how to look at the film and how to see the flaws in the part."

Simply stated, NDT is the testing of an object without destroying its usefulness. The aviation industry uses NDT extensively.

Dan Squires, machine tool technology instructor, had groups of students at five different stations: His computer lab, a conventional lathe, two CNC mills and one CNC lathe.

"I try to make sure they (high school students) know that they don't instantly get on one of these machines," Squires said. "You have to be properly trained."

As in the past, Squires' college students were producing key chain medallions with the visiting school's mascot on one side and the Cowley tiger on the other.

"I get a lot of students from these communities," Squires said. "A lot of my students who attended past tech days still have their cups that we made on the machines."

Bob Moffatt in welding, Ricky Young in automotive and Cliff Roderick in drafting also participated in the event.

Students were treated to a pop and a snack at the conclusion of the event. A drawing for prizes was conducted during the break.