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EXCEL Alaska June through October 2017
Newsletter
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EXCEL Alaska's super Summer 2017 start, didn't slow down for anything in the Fall!
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Summer XL, 2017 - AVTEC in Seward
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IT * Maritime * Culinary Arts * ET * Diesel Technology
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The 21-day Summer XL Camp concluded the end of June. With this relevant, hands-on intensive learning camp, hosted at AVTEC in Seward, students were afforded the experience of campus and dorm life, and practiced important skills to prepare them for their futures.
Course offerings included Heavy Diesel Mechanics, Information Technology (IT), Industrial Electricity (IE), Maritime, or Culinary Arts. Additionally, they had the opportunity earn driving instructional permits through Driver’s Education. All 42 students who needed their driver’s permit passed the written exam!
Each strand offered credits or certification, as well an excellent introduction to the particular career field.
- IT - 1 High school science credit
- IE - 1 High school science credit, first aid and CPR certification
- Culinary Arts - I high school Career & Technical Education (CTE) credit, basic shipboard culinary training (BSCT), general basic culinary, ServSafe Card
- Maritime - 1 high school CTE credit, basic training US Coast Guard approved, First Aid and CPR, personal survival techniques, USCG Knot Letter and Nautical Skills fast track
- Heavy Diesel Mechanics - 1 high school CTE credit
Following the six hours of instruction each day, student performed self-assessments using the YES Employability Skills curriculum. Was their performance what an employer would like to see in the workplace? You'd have to ask them. They did strive for excellence.
Find out more about each strand by visiting the AVTEC pages linked below.
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George River Internship
August, 2017
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Partnering with ADF&G, EXCEL Alaska students had the opportunity to experience what fish biologists do to monitor habitat. Each student had a job to do, whether it be monitoring river temperature, studying the size of the gravel on the river bottom, or capturing fish to take samples.
Each student has participated in the Math & Science Expedition as well as another EXCEL Camp as a pre-requisite.
And to sweeten the pot for the students, each was granted a $500 stipend for their work. We are delighted to help provide an opportunity for students to get work in their regions and to afford them insight into careers they might not otherwise be able to explore.
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Math-Science Expedition
August, 2017
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Once again, the Math/Science Expedition offered students some insight into what a STEM education can mean! 10 Days this August, students from EXCEL Alaska spent time exploring river ecology and fish biology. There was an exceptional number of younger students this year, 7th graders in particular, but they did well and we are looking forward to what they can do on subsequent expeditions and in other career exploration opportunities. It's a wonderful opportunity for EXCEL, as well, to be able to start with students in the lower grades and give them more of a glimpse into what they can be doing for employment in their futures.
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As part of our EXCEL 11 camp, in Anchorage, students were able to visit with Maver Carey, President of The Kuskokwim Corporation. Maver gave participants a look at what the corporation is like and what it takes to run it. She also gave them a short lesson in Robert's Rules of Order, why they are used and who should be using them. (above)
A visit with folks at the Donlin Gold office was one of the other trips the students made. Donlin was able to share information directly to the students about what kind of employees they will be looking for as well as they types of jobs they will be looking to fill when they start to hire for their Crooked Creek project. (left)
When school is in session, students are doing pre-assigned homework in the evenings to ensure they don't get behind in their studies at their home schools.
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Welding and Carpentry Explorations
October, 2017
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Meanwhile, back in Aniak, students were able to explore the wonderful worlds of welding and carpentry! Utilizing NCCER curriculum, each got a first-hand insight to careers in each of these trades. Such career awareness opportunities affords students the hands-on experience needed to truly see if a career is something they want to invest more time and money in prior to making a life-changing choice. Even if this turns out to be a career they are not ultimately interested in pursuing, they have developed
some excellent life skills.
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Heavy Equipment Operation
November, 2017
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Finally, but not last or least for 2107, students prequalified with NCCER Core certification were eligible to participate in the Heavy Equipment Operations Level I Camp. This 10-day session allowed certification, qualification, and High School Credit Opportunities in:
- OSHA Forklift - Certification
- First Aid/CPR/AED
- ATSSA Flagger - Certification
- NIT Trenching and Shoring - Certification
- NCCER Qualification - Loader
- NCCER Qualification - Excavator
- NCCER Qualification - Bulldozer
- NCCER Qualification - Grades
- CTE HEO High School Credit - .5
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The end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018 will find the EXCEL Alaska staff and students hard at work with the following:
- EXCEL 9 November 27-December 2
- AVTEC Mini-Bridging November 27-December 2
- EXCEL 12 December 6-15
- EXCEL Travels to Kuspuk School District School sites January 15-19
- EXCEL 7 January 23-26
- EXCEL 8 January 26-30
- EXCEL Board Retreat January 25-26
If you know of any students interested in applying for any of EXCEL's camps or sessions, please have them contact us at twilson@excelalaska.com
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Look forward to more in the Winter Newsletter!
In the meantime, keep up with us on
Facebook.
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EXCEL Staff
Carol Wilson - Executive Director
Billijo Mills - Deputy Director
Christa Jones - Lead Teacher
Tony Wilson - Lead Teacher
Carlene Liskey - Instructional Staff
Dyllon Mills - Instructional Staff
Jared Thorson - Instructional Staff
Konrad Koscik - Instructional Staff
Kattie Hoeldt - Instructional Staff
Marquis Revels - Instructional Staff
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EXCEL Board of Directors:
Martha Peck, APICC - Board Chair
Andrea Gusty, The Kuskokwim Corp. - Vice Chair
Evelyn Pensgard, AVCP - Treasurer
Krystal Komkoff, Job Corps - Secretary
Maver Carey, The Kuskokwim Corp. - Exec. Board member
Amoret Allen, MSBSD
Sam Brice, Brice Construction
Meg Day, Donlin Gold
Sue Hoeldt, Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp
Kurt Parkan, Donlin Gold
Krystalynn Scott, Calista
Colin Stewart, LKSD
Patty Woody, YKSD
Yvonne Jackson, AVCP
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