Minuteman Teams With UMass Lowell For New Manufacturing Program

By Judy Bass

LEXINGTON - Minuteman Community Education, an educational component of the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District, is teaming up with UMass Lowell (UML) to offer an Introduction to Manufacturing Technology Certificate to high school juniors and seniors. This opportunity is available to any junior and senior high school students who qualify, not only those from Minuteman.

The course will be taught at the new Minuteman High School, a $145 million, state-of-the-art facility that will open in September.

“I look forward to growing this partnership with UMass Lowell!,” said Minuteman Director of Vocational Programs Michelle Roche, who was one of those who played an instrumental role in getting this program launched. “I'm excited to offer this program to students that aren't currently enrolled at Minuteman, and share this great school and resources with our surrounding community members.”

The first of the four classes required to earn the certificate, Engineering Design and Graphics, begins on October 8, 2019 and will meet at Minuteman High School, located at 758 Marrett Road in Lexington, on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. until December 10, 2019.

The cost is $1,100. Students can register by going to www.MinutemanCE.org. Students must apply by September 27, 2019. The class is limited to 20 students. Questions, please call Minuteman Community Education at 781-861-7150.

The entire course provides students with a competitive advantage and marketable skills in both the manufacturing and engineering industries. It will enable them to earn a total of 12 college credits under the Dual Enrollment program, which allows high school students to take college classes and receive course credits to apply toward their college degree.

“I am excited to be able to offer this college credit opportunity to high school students,” said Minuteman Director of Community Education Allison Cammarata. She, along with Ms. Roche and UMass Lowell Director of Academic Programs Bradley Mingels, was a driving force behind this new endeavor. “This will allow students to get ahead and gain a competitive advantage for when entering the workforce or applying to college.”

High school juniors and seniors in good standing can complete the entire course in approximately one year under the UML Dual Enrollment policy

Four courses and one lab must be completed successfully in order to acquire the credits and certificate. Courses are 1 to 3 credits depending on course length and subject matter. The UML course credits earned for this certificate can be applied to various degree programs pending approval of the university bestowing the degree. UMass Lowell has approved these credits to matriculate to either the A.S. and/or B.S. Mechanical Engineering Technology programs.

The courses required for the certificate are: Engineering Design and Graphics (3 credits), Computer Aided Drafting (3 credits), Introduction to Automated Control Programming (1 credit), Manufacturing Technology Laboratory (2 credits) and Applied Computer Aided Manufacturing (3 credits).

Mr. Mingels of UMass Lowell said, “This program allows students to complement their high school education with additional skills, knowledge, and experience as well as real college credits. Of equal importance is having an industry-recognized credential; this provides students with opportunities and choices while providing employers or schools with assurance of student aptitude and commitment. Everybody wins!!”

Minuteman’s new facility, which will open in early September 2019, has been designed to support a robust college and career academy model. The academy model was adopted by staff and administration to create smaller “schools within a school” thereby promoting more personalized learning founded upon close relationships between students and teachers. The Minuteman college and career academy model integrates rigorous academics with relevant technical programming in occupational areas providing individual economic opportunity. The new facility will accommodate project-based learning across disciplines, requiring students to learn how to work on a diverse team, solve problems and think critically. These are essential 21st-century skills that students practice and apply in a variety of school-based and work-based environments.

As an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC), Minuteman inspires all students to attain their full potential, accelerate their learning, and become purposeful citizens in the global community.