Hamilton Tech’s electronics instructors, Craig Wright, Lyle Andersen, and Larry Bradley, as well as Mark Christy, Director, participated in the first day of PLTW summer camp by providing a basis introduction to electronics. Twenty four 8th grade students arrived at St. Ambrose University campus at 12:15 following a tour of the Eastern Iowa Community College John Blong Technology Center. The first day of camp was to give the students an opportunity to participate in some type of engineering or engineering technology education. The Blong Center exposed the students to to the machining and industrial technology programs. The students were also given an introduction to the “green technology” programs that are now a part of EICC.

The students traveled to St. Ambrose University campus where they were divided into two groups of twelve. Half of the students went with Dr. Jodi Prosise to create an object using the SolidWorks 3-D drawing program and printing the 3-D object they had created. The other half of the group came to the Hamilton Tech lab, set up in teh St. Ambrose Engineering Department. The students got an introduction to basic electronic components and schematic symbols that are used to represent these components on an electronics circuit drawing. The students were working in teams of two; each team had a basic electronics trainer with a “breadboard” area.

Following the introduction, each team of students was given the components to “breadboard”/create a basic amplifier circuit. With the schematic in hand, and with Craig, Lyle, and Larry’s assistance, the students “breadboarded” the circuit. Within 15 to 20 minutes the circuits came to life with hums, whistles, and feedback, as the students’ voices were amplified by the circuits they had created. I think the students were amazed that they were able to create or “breadboard” a functioning circuit so quickly. The first group moved to the SolidWorks lab and the second group moved into our lab to build their amplifier circuit. The group was able to build the first circuit quickly and got to try their hand with a second circuit that Craig had developed that had a solar cell incorporated into the design. When the students covered the solar cell, it stopped the circuit from squealing. Craig was also able to do a short demo of the oscilloscope that we had included with a typical lab station setup. Our time was up and the students headed back to Davenport West High for a wrap up of the first day of PLTW Summer Camp 2010. We hope the students had a great time learning about basic electronics, and that they will all consider being a part of Project Lead the Way as they work toward a career pathway in high school. We had a great time, too!

Project Lead the Way is a 6-course sequence of rigorous courses taught in conjunction with college prepatory math and science that can help students be successful in post-secondary engineering, engineering technology, and technical career fields. PLTW started in the Davenport School System in the fall of 2007. It has been a very beneficial, successful addition to engineering and engineering technology courses at the high school level. Congrats to West High for being chosen as a national PLTW Model School in 2010. Davenport Community Schools are to be commended for their commitment to PLTW and for the resources necessary to continue this excellent program.  Mr. Christy has been a active member of the PLTW Advisory Committee since 2007.

Mark Christy, Director

Thank you so very much for your kind donation! – Progressive Baptist Food Pantry

Dear Margaret, Thank you so much for the blood drive you hosted — we had a good turnout with 9 units collected and we can hope to grow next year! It was a pleasure working with you and I look forward to future drives at Hamilton. Have a great rest of your summer! Best, Melissa Lowers – Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center

Hamilton Tech College, On behalf of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry of St. Pius Church, I want to thank the staff and student body for sharing of their recent food drive. It helps assist the people in need. Thank you, Bob Pulford – Food Pantry Coordinator

Thanks,

Mark

For more information about this event, please visit: http://www.riamwr.com/EAD10/index.htm

Innovative Design Lab Commercial

Mentoring, Application, Preparation (MAP) Program Commercial
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The MAP Program is designed to help students develop study skills. Students who meet certain requirements are trained to “Mentor” those who are looking for help. Some requirements to be a Mentor are: a GPA of 3.5 or higher, show leadership qualities, and have an interest to help others. They must also have completed the class in which they are helping. When a “Mentee” has requested help, he or she will be paired with a Mentor. Since some students are lacking in different areas than others, the Mentor they receive will have strengths in the material crucial to their success. This program has shown to help improve test scores and GPA’s, giving our students the confidence they need to be “Test Ready”.

How do I join the MAP Program?

Though there are no requirements to meet in order to request assistance from a Mentor, we do ask that a Mentee gives forth full effort. Students may ask any instructor or Mentor for a request form for Mentoring. The form will be given to the MAP Program Facilitator, who will assign a Mentor for the student. The Mentor and Mentee will then decide when it is best for them to meet so they may begin their studying periods. If any questions or concerns arise during the Mentorship, students can request assistance fro the Facilitator, Lyle Andersen.

Can I become a Mentor?

To ensure our students are getting the best help, there are requirements to become a Mentor. Some requirements are:

• Maintain a 3.5 GPA minimum
• Work well with others
• Help students acheive “Test Readiness”
• Agree to policies set forth in the MAP Guidebook

This program is available to students in either the Electronics or Medical programs. Request forms are kept by instructors, as well as with the Mentors and Facilitator.

What are the benefits of this program?

The obvious benefit is the improvement seen by our students who have used our help. There are other benefits as well. Students realize their potential, and confidence is strengthened. Social skills are gained, and leadership skills are honed. Those who Mentor are encouraged to participate in our Innovative Lab. Mentorship can be a great resume builder, so we encourage Mentors to participate in workshops we may hold. From time to time, we have luncheons to discuss matters that pertain to the MAP Program. Lastly, there is a small reward for those who give their time. That is discussed when a student decides to volunteer their time!

Steve Hamer, Hamilton Tech Grad and Electronics Instructor, alumni and QC entrepreneurs have started the QC Co-Lab.  The QC Co-Lab is the Quad Cities Collaboration and Hackerspace.  A Hackerspace is a non-profit community operated physical place, where people can meet and work on their projects.  It was formed for members to gather, grow, design, create, build, engineer and have fun tinkering.  This is an exciting place for members to focus on technology and collaboratively create!
Congratulations!  You can visit their website at www.qccolab.com .

Hamilton Tech Students collected 1,567.5 food items and toiletries. Medical Assisting 200, 2nd Semester won the ‘giving’ competition with 667 items of food. That’s 33.5 items per student! The items went to the Progressive Baptist Church in Davenport, Iowa, St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry in Rock Island, Illinois and CFCC Domestic Violence Shelter for women and children. THANK YOU ALL so much for your giving and caring natures!

Below is a partial listing of some of the Community Service Projects that Hamilton Tech is involved with:

Illowa Council of the Boy Scouts of America – Corporate Sponsor
Flu Free QC – School Sponsor
Women’s Health Fair
Mentoring
Community Health Event
Disaster Drills
 > Trinity Health Care
 > Genesis
 > Rock Island Arsenal
 > Snowstar
Annual Blood Drive
Annual Food Drive
Workshop for Women’s Health
 > Professional Development Curriculum
Annual Toys for Tots Drive
Genesis Golf Outing – Tee Sponsor

Soon after that I was asked by a few of our doctors to attend a lunch conference with resident and staff doctors to help explain why coding is so vital to the medical field.  Since that conference I have done multiple presentations with the doctors in my clinic, and they come to me frequently with questions about coding.

Not only do I have conferences with the doctors from my clinic, I also stay involved with Hamilton Tech College.  Kim, the instructor of the program, has routinely invited me to share my experiences with medical billing and coding students.  I go back to Hamilton with pride every time I am asked to go.  Without the instruction that I received from the program, I never would have been able to attain the knowledge I have today, especially in my chosen career field.  I earned my Certified Medical Coder credentials last year through the Practice Management Institute and the support of my superiors.

I am forever grateful for the education I received from Hamilton Technical College and their Instructors.

Olivia Madorin, CMC