Gearing Up to Start Engineering: Tech Prep To Start New Engineering School

STORY BY BRIANA THOMAS, FNN REPORTER, TECH PREP BUREAU. PHOTO BY BLS.GOV.

APRIL 22, 2014.  Tech Prep is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics school and we have three of four subjects--science, technology and math. But this fall we will have all four. Using curriculum from the National Academy Foundation (NAF), Tech Prep is starting an engineering academy. The NAF Academy of Engineering (AOE) started in 2007 as a partnership between Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. NAF started the AOE in order to give underrepresented students the chance to gain knowledge and skills to succeed in engineering careers.

Currently, five Tech Prep teachers, Ms.Mays and one student, Briana Thomas are working together to bring the foundations of the AOE to life. Every Thursday from 4pm to 5pm this committee meets to talk about the next steps we will take to make sure the students who are interested in engineering careers get the preparation they need. Some of the engineering careers include architecture and construction, environmental, robotics, mechanical and alternative energy engineering. I think this is a great idea. I know multiple students who want to be in different forms of engineering, but the daily math and science we learn aren’t preparing the students to solve the problems they will encounter in these careers.

Briana Thomas is a junior at Friendship Tech Prep Academy.