Highlights from the HACTC - Feb. 20

Please note that students will return to the HACTC on Wednesday March 4th, due to Vermont town meeting day.

We recently recognized these students for embodying the third word in our mission statement, Learn:

Rotary Students of the Month are chosen for their leadership and putting service above self in their programs. They receive a certificate and gift certificate to a local restaurant. These students were recognized at our last assembly:

• Natural Resources, Level I: Riley Townsend, Hartford High School
• Natural Resources, Level II: Morgan Johnson, Windsor High School
• Information Technology: Lucas Prignano, Hartford High School
• Software Engineering: Zachary Kenney, Mascoma Valley Regional High School

Please support our Medical Assisting & Phlebotomy students! The American Red Cross has agreed to host a blood drive at the HACTC and allow our MA&P level II students to closely observe the phlebotomists, if we have enough people interested. This is an amazing opportunity for our students to gain professional shadowing experience! If you would be interested in donating blood, please fill out the Blood Drive Interest Survey.

The Theodore Paul Andress Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament is open for registration! Proceeds go toward funding the Theodore Paul Andress Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Lebanon Area High School Graduates looking to advance their education in Trades, Sport, Nursing and/or the Great Outdoors.

In the last few weeks, Level I Auto Tech students have been focused on learning about engine components and the proper way to perform oil changes. They say that this experience is helpful whether you want a career in auto or just want to be able to work on your own cars. They also learned how to be professional - since they're working not just on shop cars, but on one another's and staff members' - and how to work together to problem solve (as when a bolt gets stuck!).

In level II, students have been working on drive trains and transmissions, learning how they work and how to remove drive shafts. They've also learned some about diesel engines. Students report that they've learned how to be patient with others and have a positive attitude. Working on one another's and staff vehicles has added some variety to their practice, with one remarkable recent case being a car that started itself after having the battery connected.

Both classes report that supportive staff help them to be really successful in this program.

Health & Human Sciences Level I students have spent the last several weeks focusing on facets of professionalism in the healthcare field. They've discussed ethics and legal responsibilities for healthcare workers and patient rights and responsibilities. Also as part of developing professionalism, they began writing resumes and practiced job interview questions.

In level II, students recently wrapped up a unit on the cardiovascular system, which culminated in them dissecting sheep hearts. Now, they are learning about different psychologists and their theories, and they recently dissected a sheep brain. Students appreciate learning about healthcare as a practice, like the importance of understanding different cultural norms of patients you might encounter. Students really love the family-like atmosphere of this program.

Introduction to Engineering students have been working on an open-ended project to make a protective case. One student is working on creating a water bottle holder for the side of desks since, as he says, open containers of liquid and computer equipment don't mix well. His design has been through several iterations, as he's adjusted parts and experimented with different 3D printing supports. See a picture below of the "organic" tree-style of support, which holds pieces during printing and then is able to be easily pulled away, on the screen and then on the printer.

In Principles of Engineering, students kicked off the new year learning about electrical circuits, including LEDs and resistors. To practice, they built electronic vaults that would unlock with a button and included indicator lights to show the status of the lock. One student also used his knowledge to wire a moon lamp that he'd 3D printed. Recently, PoE has been studying hydraulic and pneumatic machinery, and how those mechanisms create a mechanical advantage.

Students want others to know that the STEM program is perfect for anyone interested in engineering and that it can help you figure out which specific field you'd like most.

• Electrical 1 - Starts March 2 - FULL
• Microsoft Excel - April 28 - May 7; click here to register for the Excel course!
• Phlebotomy - Starts May 11; click here to register for Phlebotomy!
• QuickBooks - Spring; click here to join the QuickBooks Waitlist!
• Welding - Spring; click here to register for Welding!
• LNA - Starts in June; click here to register for the LNA class!
• Dental Assisting - Starts in September; click here to join the Dental Assisting Waitlist!

To browse and register for all of our upcoming classes:

• Facebook
• Instagram @HACTCAdultEd
• www.hactc.com/adult-ed

Director of Adult Education: Jennifer Opalinski · adulted@hartfordschools.net · (802) 295-8630 x2504

Mr. M is in his third year here at the HACTC. As students arrive and depart the HACTC, you will find him enthusiastically greeting everyone with a fist bump and kind words by the IMW and Natural Resources program entrances. Mr. M spends the majority of his time in the welding shop, both as paraeducator for the program, and as an occasional Adult Education welding instructor in the evening. Fun fact about Mr. M: he loves spending time outside, especially hiking in the winter, and fishing in the summer.