Dear MTA Friends and Family,
Celebrate!
It's been an unusual year, but certainly no less successful for the students at Manufacturing Technology Academy. Below you'll read several examples of our students' perseverance, hard work and accomplishments and our staff is very proud. We honor our 2021 seniors who will graduate and move on to the next stages of their lives with the confidence they are well prepared for college, training, work and more.
Time to Apply
For those of you reading who know rising high school juniors, please spread the word that Career-Tech Center enrollment is still open and MTA continues to accept applications for the 2021-2022 school year. More information about the application process is available below and at the MTA webpage.
Read On
Now we invite you to read on for inspiring stories of local students with passions for math, science, engineering and technology. Their enthusiasm for teamwork and hands-on learning is a key factor in MTA's ongoing educational strength!
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Nine MTA Seniors Earn Michigan Tech Scholarships
Nine Career-Tech Center seniors in the Manufacturing Technology Academy (MTA) program have earned Michigan Technological University (MTU) scholarships for $1,000 annually. Congratulations to these students on their successful completion of MTA and acceptance at MTU!
- Madison Davidson, Bellaire High School
- Jacob Romanowski, Glen Lake High School
- Jacob Dezelski, Glen Lake High School
- Brenden Rogers, Kalkaska High School
- Isobel Bowker, TC Central High School
- Sam Stivani, Grand Traverse Academy
- Quincy Thayer, Frankfort High School
- Dylan Moss, Glen Lake High School
- Charlie Corey, Benzie Central High School
Students enrolled in MTA are eligible for a $1,000 annual renewable scholarship at Michigan Technological University (MTU). The MTU Partner Pathway Award requires that MTA students successfully complete two years at MTA and enroll at MTU as first-year students. Career-Tech Center and MTU partnered in 2020 to create the program to expand learning, exploration and apprentice programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
MTU Vice President for University Relations and Enrollment John Lehman notes,
"Michigan Tech is thrilled to see that these nine exceptionally qualified students
will be enrolling this coming fall. MTA attracts and educates the exact type of student
who thrives at Michigan Tech. We are so pleased that this partnership
is advancing as evidenced by these bright young minds."
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The MTA - MTU scholarship partnership impacts students in many positive ways.
They shared insights on college preparation:
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"I love MTU from my visits, and my family is from the area so it is like I'm going home. I believe MTA prepared me for Tech because of the rigorous courses and hard work needed to succeed."
- Jacob Romanowski
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"Through MTA’s strong connection to local manufacturers I was able build invaluable relationships over the last two years. By having the opportunity to meet with a mentor monthly, I was able to learn about how current events have impacted the manufacturing industry. MTA has prepared me for my future in college and beyond through hands-on experience and dedicated instructors."
- Quincy Thayer
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Design + Build Partnership for Robotics
Each year Manufacturing Technology Academy seniors take part in robotics competitions as a culmination of their science, technology, engineering and math studies. "Team Giraffe" was tasked with planning, building and competing with a combat robot whose goal was to attack and disable an opposing robot.
Team members Dylan Moss, Jacob Romanowski and Jacob Dezelski chose to build the shell of their robot with titanium for its durability. The challenge was manipulating the tough material to take the shape they needed for the robot's design. That's when they jumped at the chance to seek help from the CTC Welding & Fabrication program for assistance with cutting and fabricating the titanium shell of their robot. The MTA students created a Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawing to guide the welding work, and the partnership resulted in a well-built competitor for this year's robotics season.
Dylan explained how the teamwork between MTA and Welding was beneficial. "It was a great learning experience to work with instructors in both programs to learn how to properly show the locations of the welds, and making the robot drawing as accurate as possible."
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Interested in MTA?
Applications Still Accepted for 2021-22 School Year
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There are still a few spots left at Manufacturing Technology Academy for the 2021-2022 school year! Rising high school juniors may still apply. Accepted students attend MTA during their junior and senior years of high school.
The challenging MTA educational experience, housed in the newly-built classrooms and labs at the Career-Tech Center campus on Parsons Road in Traverse City, is a rewarding and rigorous academic program. Students engage in classes in math, science, English, economics, engineering and project management. Robotics and automation, product design, and electrical and pneumatic systems are also key parts of the MTA curriculum.
In addition, MTA students are eligible for the MTU Partner Pathway Award -- a valuable scholarship program with Michigan Technological University!
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Get All the News
If you read this newsletter from your email inbox, you might miss some important news! To see the entire newsletter, click view in browser at the top of this email.
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Congratulations 2021 MTA Graduates! |
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Isobel Bowker
TC Central High School
Michigan Technological University
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Charlie Corey
Benzie Central High School
Michigan Technological University
General Engineering
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Christopher Corey
Benzie Central High School
Northwestern Michigan College
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Madison Davidson
Bellaire High School
Michigan Technological University
Computer Engineering
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Jacob Dezelski
Glen Lake High School
Michigan Technological University
Civil & Environmental Engineering
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Max Dilley
Glen Lake High School
University of Michigan
Physics
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Brady Dodson
Glen Lake High School
Independent Study in Entrepreneurship
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Anna Gibson
Homeschool
Northwestern Michigan College
Transfer to 4-Year University
Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
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Jack Kernan
TC Central High School
University of Michigan
Engineering
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Dylan Moss
Glen Lake High School
Michigan Technological University
Civil Engineering
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Brenden Rogers
Kalkaska High School
Michigan Technological University
Electrical & Computer Engineering
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Jacob Romanowski
Glen Lake High School
Michigan Technological University
Electrical Engineering
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Samuel Stivani
Grand Traverse Academy
Michigan Technological University
Mechatronics
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Quincy Thayer
Frankfort High School
Michigan Technological University
Biology, Limnology
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Reece VanderWulp
Lake Leelanau St. Mary
Lake Superior State University
Mechanical Engineering
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Griffin Wright
TC Central High School
University of Michigan
Nuclear Engineering
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Student Scholarships and Honors
Congratulations to the following MTA seniors for earning scholorships and other honors. We salute them and all MTA students for their hard work and dedication to education and teamwork!
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Scholarships
CTC Academic Scholarship $500
Isobel Bowker
Jack Kernan
Jacob Romanowski
Quincy Thayer
Reece VanderWulp
Mary Savage Scholarship $750
Anna Gibson
NTHS Scholarships $500
Madison Davidson
Anna Gibson
Jacob Romanowski
MTU Partner Pathway Award
Isobel Bowker
Charlie Corey
Madison Davidson
Jacob Dezelski
Dylan Moss
Brenden Rogers
Jacob Romanowski
Samuel Stivani
Quincy Thayer
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Honors
Breaking Traditions Certificate
Isobel Bowker
Outstanding Student Award
Madison Brown
Quincy Thayer
Students of the Quarter
First Quarter:
Madison Brown
Jack Kernan
Second Quarter:
Makenzie Womak
Isobel Bowker
Third Quarter:
Ryan Novak
Dylan Moss
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NRC Gold Award Team "Spa Day" |
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NRC Silver Award Team "Wax On, Wax Off" |
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Making a Mark at the
National Robotics Challenge
Six MTA robotics teams participated remotely in the National Robotics Challenge, including four combat robot teams and two workcell teams. Three of those teams placed amongst the winners:
Workcell Gold Award
Team "Spa Day"
Anna Gibson, Isobel Bowker, Jack Kernan, Madison Davidson
Workcell Silver Award
Team "Wax On, Wax Off"
Griffin Wright, Quincy Thayer, Samuel Stivani
Combat Bot Finalist
Dylan Moss, Jacob Romanowski, Jacob Dezelski
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NRC Combat Bot Finalist "Team Giraffe," practicing with their robot during internal competition at MTA |
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Math, Engineering & Science Symposium Awards
The annual Math, Engineering & Science Symposium was held virually this year and MTA teams made their marks. Some of the same stand-outs from National Robotics Challenge also took honors at the symposium in the engineering category:
First Place Tie
"Wax On, Wax Off" - Griffin Wright, Quincy Thayer, Samuel Stivani
"Combat Bot" - Jacob Romanowski, Jacob Dezelski, Dylan Moss
Third Place
"Spa Day" - Anna Gibson, Isobel Bowker, Jack Kernan, Madison Davidson
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Alumni Spotlight: Josh Hart
As a member of MTA's first graduating class in 1998, Josh Hart is a great example of MTA principles at work. He began mentoring students in 2013 and has progressively increased his involvement and commitment to student education in STEM. In 2019, he became the MTA Guidance Board Chairman and has served as an incoming student interviewer and judge for the Math, Engineering & Science Symposium.
In his professional role as production supervisor at Kennametal, he puts his education from MTA and Ferris State University to work in planning and allocating resources for a rapidly growing manufacturing company. His professional background and his willingness to coach young people is an asset to the MTA community.
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Mark Your Calendars! GTAMC Golf Outing |
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The annual Grand Traverse Area Manufacturing Council (GTAMC) golf outing is scheduled for Friday, September 24. Proceeds benefit the Manufacturing Technology Academy's robotics program. Thanks to the organizers and many generous donors, this event brings in thousands of dollars in support of education, collaboration and a globally competitive manufacturing sector. Visit www.makegreatthings.org. For information, contact Debby Oliver at doliver@tbaisd.org.
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MTA Interns a Win-Win for Businesses
Manufacturing Technology Academy welcomes businesses and organizations to get involved with MTA by hosting interns. MTA students are well-equipped to flourish and make real contributions to organizations. The search is underway now for businesses willing to offer summer internship opportunities. For information, contact Debby Oliver at doliver@tbaisd.org.
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New Name, New Look
In case you missed previous announcements, Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District is in the process of transitioning to a new name -- Northwest Education Services -- and a new brand identity. Part of this transition will be establishing new names for some programs and centersbeginning during the 2021-2022 school year. Although we have worked well under the MTA moniker, we feel the change to Engineering Academy is clearer and resonates with our students, families and educators.
Renaming and rebranding is part of our organization’s strategic plan and focuses on enhancing the way we represent our work with the students, local school districts and communities we serve. Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, you will begin seeing our new names and logos appear more frequently, and we encourage you to refer to our organization as Northwest Education Services, or “North Ed” for short.
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About MTA
Manufacturing Technology Academy provides a learning environment which motivates and enables students to acquire world-class manufacturing and engineering skills while positioning them to compete and excel in the global market.
MTA is a tuition-free program offered by Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District’s Career-Tech Center for eleventh and twelfth grade students in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. For information, call (231) 922-6273.
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Thankful Recognition
Special thanks to the industry partners who contribute resources and expertise in support of MTA’s mission. As a result, our students thrive in a rich learning environment with hands-on, collaborative experiences.
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MTA Contacts
MTA Main Phone
(231) 922-7859
MTA Guidance Board President
Josh Hart, Kennametal Inc.
Career-Tech Center Principal
Pat Lamb
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Sponsors Welcome
MTA is always seeking sponsors and grant opportunities. If you are an individual or company interested in collaborating, please contact Debby Oliver at (231) 922-7845 or doliver@tbaisd.org.
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