2 minute read
Publication Sneak Peek
The Cutting Edge
This segment features content from other AAEA publications. The Cutting Edge is a monthly publication available to AACTEA members. The following excerpt comes from the April 2023 issue.
Black River Technical College to Open Satellite Campus in Piggott
Black River Technical College has been preparing all year to open its second satellite campus in Clay County. The school has dedicated the Armory at BRTC in Piggott to career and technical certification opportunities for students in Piggott, Corning, Rector, and surrounding communities. Staff has been working around the clock to make sure that when classes start everything is in place to ensure a successful program for all students involved. The school is still expecting to have everything up and running in Piggott by August. The following career pathways will be offered offered at the center: Allied Health – CNA, Phlebotomy, RN prereqs, Welding, Industrial Electricity/Electronics, and Machine Tool Technology.
“Girl Power to the Max”
Young women from 13 Arkansas public school districts recently took part in the "Girl Power to the Max" STEM event at Ledwell Machinery in Texarkana. De Queen-Mena, South Central and Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperatives partnered with the manufacturing for the regional student competition to encourage female participation in technical construction. Twenty-one girls competed. The top three spots granted two first-place winners and a People's Choice Award winner. The winners received trophies provided by Boss Laser, cash awards and $500 tuition waivers from the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana.
The competition was open to any girl in grades 9-12 attending a public school within the trio of Arkansas Education Cooperatives invited to the contest. Participants could compete in CNC cutting and CNC lasering technology projects using advanced equipment in welding and power structural systems. The competition was designed to focus on exploring and perfecting skills in high-need, high-wage, high-demand nontraditional occupations, as well as fostering innovation. It served as an extension of what the cooperatives are doing in the classroom.
