Biddeford Center of Technology

As we approach the end of 2025, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support of our Career and Technical Education students and programs. We have just completed our mid-quarter update, and it has been encouraging to see the growth, effort, and skill development our students are demonstrating in both their technical areas and their professional habits.

This time of year often brings a busy pace, and our students have been balancing hands-on learning, projects, assessments, and real-world skill building. We encourage families to review the mid-quarter updates together and to reach out to instructors with any questions or celebrations of progress. Strong communication between home and school is an important part of student success.

With the holiday break approaching, we hope this time provides an opportunity for rest and time with family and friends. A well-deserved break helps students return refreshed and ready to engage in their learning when classes resume. We also encourage students to take pride in the skills they are developing and to continue practicing positive work habits—these are essential in both school and the workplace.

Thank you for being partners in your student’s Career and Technical Education journey. We are proud of the work our students are doing and look forward to a strong finish to the second quarter in the new year. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns at 207-282-1501.

Wishing you and your family a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season.

Sincerely,

Paulette Bonneau

Director

At Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT), we offer 30 classes across 15 career clusters, providing students with the skills and experience needed to succeed. Our programs focus on current industry standards and real-world techniques, ensuring relevant, hands-on training that prepares you to enter the workforce, continue your education, or enlist in the armed services.

Students at BRCOT can also earn college credit, gain industry-recognized certifications, and work toward state licensing, giving you a competitive edge as you pursue your career goals. Are you interested in BRCOT? Do you know a friend or student who is interested? Be sure to watch our website for updates and connect with your guidance/school counselor about opportunities to visit programs and tour our school as we get ready to start accepting applications soon for the 2026-2027 school year.

12/22-1/4: No School (Holiday Break)
1/14/26: Early Release Day
1/16/26: End of Quarter 2
1/19/26: No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

In partnership with BHS, BRCOT hosted its annual Career & College Fair on November 14th. Students in grades 9-12 from BHS and all AM session of BRCOT had the opportunity to explore their futures and meet with 48 colleges, training programs, and local employers. This yearly event offers students first-hand insight into a wide range of academic and career options available to them. Throughout the event, students engaged in important conversations, gathered resources, and discovered new possibilities for themselves after graduation. The fair is an exciting and valuable step in helping students plan their next chapter with confidence.

Culinary Arts students launched their first-ever holiday pie fundraiser this season—and it was a tremendous success. To ensure the highest quality, the class limited the number of orders, then spent the week skillfully preparing every crust, filling, and topping with care. The students assembled 81 pie boxes in advance, creating an impressive display of teamwork and pride. As families picked up their pies ahead of the Thanksgiving break, the project not only supported the Culinary program but also showcased the talent, dedication, and real-world learning happening in our kitchens every day.

Manufacturing II students recently wrapped up an impressive hands-on project: designing and building fully functional tap wrenches from the ground up. Each wrench was composed of multiple precision-machined parts that students produced using both manual equipment and CNC (computer numerical control) machinery.

This project required students to apply advanced manufacturing skills by working with complex part geometry and maintaining tight tolerances throughout the machining process. From raw material to finished tool, students demonstrated craftsmanship, problem-solving, and attention to detail.

The completed tap wrenches are not only operational—they’re professional-quality tools that students can proudly add to their toolboxes as they continue toward future careers in the manufacturing industry.

First-year Engineering and Architecture students used their AutoCAD skills to design and fabricate components for miniature cars. After finalizing their designs on the computer, they used a laser cutter to produce the parts and then assembled the cars to be powered by rubber bands. Students competed to see whose car could travel the furthest. They then presented their designs to the students who come to BRCOT as part of Mother Goose Preschool, linked to the Teaching and Early Education program. Children were able to play with the cars while students explained how the mechanisms worked.

The Biddeford Regional Center of Technology’s Electrical program and Travel and Tourism students helped spread holiday cheer for the Heart of Biddeford. Using skills and equipment taught within their programs, they are able to give back to Main Street and the surrounding parks to bring festive spirit to our community.

A special thank-you goes out to one of our community partners, Camille’s Electric of Saco, for generously providing the use of a bucket truck.

Students in the Automotive program who visited The Landing School were able to see how the automotive and marine industries share a strong foundation in engineering, safety, and performance, even though they operate in different environments. Because of these similarities, students who train in automotive technology could potentially pursue careers in either industry. Both fields rely on advances in propulsion systems, materials, and design to improve efficiency and durability, and both are guided by strict safety and environmental regulations. They are also experiencing parallel shifts toward electrification, smart technologies, and automation, with innovations such as electric drivetrains, advanced navigation systems, and integrated diagnostics becoming increasingly common in cars and boats alike.

Our second-year Electrical students had the opportunity to explore the new state-of-the-art switching substation on South Street. With so many openings at Central Maine Power, we are excited to give students hands-on exposure to the electrical trade and a broader understanding of the industry. Working with 30,000 volts—compared to standard residential 120-240 voltage—offered them a whole new learning experience.

Students from the Engineering and Architecture programs recently had the exciting opportunity to visit the University of Maine for a hands-on field trip. The visit gave students a firsthand look at some of the cutting-edge technology used in modern engineering and construction.

During the trip, students explored an industrial metal laser, observing how high-precision cutting and fabrication are transforming manufacturing processes. They also had the chance to see a full-size 3D-printed house, gaining insight into innovative construction techniques that are shaping the future of architecture.

The field trip provided students with a valuable opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world applications, inspiring them to think creatively about the technologies they may one day use in their careers. This experience not only showcased the latest advancements in engineering and architecture but also emphasized the importance of practical, hands-on learning in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals.

The Computer Technology classes visited the University of Maine as part of the Maine App Challenge sponsored by Tyler Technologies. The trip provided students with hands-on experience in university-level labs and facilities. The Computer Technology students worked in a computer lab where they designed and soldered simple integrated circuits. Under the guidance of university instructors, they assembled functional circuits that controlled LEDs, turning lights on and off. The exercise gave them practical experience with basic electronics and circuit design.

After lunch at the Bear's Den, the group visited the VEMI lab, where they explored student research projects focused on virtual and augmented reality. Students tried VR headsets and interacted with various demonstrations, gaining exposure to current work in human-computer interaction. The field trip connected classroom learning to real-world applications and gave students a practical view of what studying technology at the university level involves.