CAREER ACADEMY SPONSORS SOUGHT

Learning by doing is the theme of a weeklong summer program to be held for area high-school juniors.

Jerry Witvoet, A+ coordinator for Cape Girardeau schools, announced that plans are under way to hold a Career Academy for Industrial and Engineering Technology.

Thirty students from Central, Notre Dame, Jackson and Scott City high schools will participate in the academy. Witvoet said plans are being made to house the students on campus at Southeast Missouri State University. Students will be transported from the university to industrial plants, laboratories, technology sites and classrooms where they will participate in a variety of activities related to industry and engineering.

Witovoet said the academy is based on six career pathways: industrial and engineering, health care, human services, natural resources, business and management, and arts and communication. He said in the future he would like to see other summer academies that focus on other career areas.

Witvoet said the academy is in the planning stages. "We are looking for sponsors for the program. We need to feed, house, and keep the students busy from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. for a full week," he said.

The program has the support of the university; the Southeast Regional Industrial Training Group, which consists of more than a dozen area businesses and industries; Procter and Gamble; and Dana Corp. Witvoet said partial funding for the summer program will come from a college retraining grant at Mineral Area College.

Components planned are laboratory-classroom experiences in the areas of chemical engineering; electrical and electronic engineering; manufacturing technology; industrial engineering; mechanical\civil engineering, and engineering management. Tours of five local industrial sites including Southeast Missouri State's Industrial Technology Center will be part of the program. Students will have the opportunity to participate in job shadowing and mentoring with professionals and use communication and team-building skills.

Companies or individuals who would like to become involved in the summer project may contact Bev Hickam, adult supervisor at the vocational school, or Jerry Witvoet, A+ coordinator, at 334-3857.

Witvoet said the academy is a large project and will require the help of many people.

"We are looking for chaperones and team leaders from the community," he said. "We are also looking for some fun activities for the students. We want to offer pizza parties, swimming, and other activities in addition to the academy activities."