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High School Students Learn Auto Tech Skills at Ë«Ó®ÓéÀÖ³Ç

MC students working in auto garage

This summer, more than 30 high school students from Montgomery Ë«Ó®ÓéÀÖ³Ç learned how to inspect an engine, rotate tires, and change spark plugs.  The Summer RISE initiative, led by the Montgomery Ë«Ó®ÓéÀÖ³Ç Public Schools¡¯ (MCPS) Partnerships Unit in collaboration with businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations, was open to MCPS junior and seniors. Students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning opportunities by either shadowing someone or by taking a class with a professor.

MCPS student Anna Craun says she didn¡¯t know anything about cars before her first day but was glad she signed up for the hands-on sessions: ¡°Even if I don¡¯t pursue this career in the future, I still learned a lot of valuable skills.¡±

student gloved hands working on auto engine
Juniors and seniors in high school had access to hands-on training in auto repair.

Likewise, Pratyusha Mandal, another MCPS student, reported the practical benefits of the program:

¡°Even though I am interested in the biomedical engineering field, learning how to replace a spare tire, how an engine is built, how a combustion engine works, what the workshop looks like, and many more skills was really interesting.¡±

"Learning how to replace a spare tire, how an engine is built, how a combustion engine works, what the workshop looks like, and many more skills was really interesting."

¡°The Summer RISE students were very curious, engaging and very willing to participate in the activities we had planned,¡± said Michael Carretta, the College¡¯s automotive program director and host of the class.

teacher assists student with engine repair
Michael Carretta offers guidance to a student at the Gudelsky Institute for Technical Education.

The program aims to reach students who may be exploring future careers, says Community Engagement Director Karla Silvestre. ¡°We were thrilled to host the Summer RISE students in our automotive technology program, thanks to Professor Carretta and his team. In addition to the hands-on experiences, they also provided guest speakers and factory training.¡±

Carretta emphasized that the automotive program will continue to participate in the Summer RISE Program in the future. Next summer, they plan to offer a ¡°part-two¡± program for students who want to return for a more advanced offering, as well as continue with a first-year experience for new students.