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Tech Talk: What's new at APA

January 2011

In This Issue
Students manufacture whistles in the Manufacturing Technology Center
Junior job shadowing program kicks off
APA partner signs up for job shadowing, starts new business
Four new APA students inducted into National Honor Society
About Austin Polytech
Austin Polytechnical Academy is an engineering- and manufacturing-focused and college prep public high school on Chicago's West Side.

Thanks to over 60 partner companies, our students learn about the many different career opportunities in manufacturing through field trips, guest speaker visits, job shadowing opportunities, internships, and more.

Austin Polytech is a project of the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council. Our career program is operated by the Center for Labor and Community Research.

Learn more at austinpolytech.org
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Sign up to receive e-mail updates from Austin Polytechnical Academy, including our monthly newsletter Tech Talk. You may also opt to receive updates from the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council.

We will never share or sell your personal information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Support our Students
It takes more than a traditional high school budget to help our students engineer their futures.

We need to invest in our world class machine shop, college- and career-prep program, and work-based projects and activities.

For example, APA has a SkillsUSA chapter in which students meet weekly to work on school and community leadership projects, attend regional and state conferences to participate in job skill competitions.

Please help by sending us a check, payable to the Center for Labor and
Community Research, at 3411 West Diversey, Suite 10, Chicago, Illinois 60647.

You can also contribute online securely through PayPal by clicking below:


Your donation is tax deductible. For more information about giving to APA, please contact Bill Vogel, industrial coordinator, at [email protected] or 773-534-6326.
Career Program 
The career program at Austin Polytech is operated by the not-for-profit Center for Labor and Community Research.

If you have any questions, please call our office at (773) 534-6326 or visit us in Room 140. 
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Contact

Austin Polytechnical Academy
231 N. Pine Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60644


Main Office: (773) 534-6301
Career Services: (773) 534-6326
Fax: (773) 534-6046


austinpolytech.org

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Students manufacture whistles in the Manufacturing Technology Center

As part of the APA Whistle Project led by machining instuctor Mr. Pablo Varela, a group of APA students manufactured aluminum whistles on-site in the Manufacturing Technology Center.


 

Whistle Plan

The whistle-making process begins with two aluminum rods of different sizes. The larger rod starts out on the CNC lathe, a computerized machine, which students program to shape the road into a whistle. Next, students use the CNC mill to cut an air window for the whistle and create a flat surface for engraving.

 

Whistle Project
Deante Land works on a manual
lathe to make the whistle plug.

 

Meanwhile, other students build plugs for the whistles using manual machines. After all the parts are complete, the students assemble the whistles using the bench vice as a press. Finally, the whistle is cleaned with a mild solvent, thoroughly rinsed with water, and air-blown dry.

 

Whistle Project
Torres Hughes uses a hack saw
and bench vice to cut the aluminum.

 

The whistle project helps APA students learn hands-on manufacturing skills, teamwork, and self-respect. In about 14 hours, the group manufactured over 120 whistles, many of which were distributed to policymakers in Washington, DC. Newer students will continue to make APA whistles, while Mr. Varela and more experienced students prepare to design and make future projects.

Junior job shadowing program kicks off

APA juniors are off to a great start on job shadowing! So far, 28 juniors have applied to learn about resume writing, understanding core values, developing professional ("soft") skills, and "do's and don'ts" on the job. Our juniors are ready and excited for a challenge.

 

Job Shadow

 

We asked a couple of juniors why they signed up for job shadowing. Janice Ford wants to improve her job skills. "I love to work and learn new skills," she said. Jeralmiah Garmon said, "I want to get ready for my future." We are super excited to kick off this year's job shadowing program, and we're delighted to have such motivated students. More details to follow. Go Tigers! 

APA partner signs up for job shadowing, starts new business

AGAIN

Special thanks to Mr. Mike Gilford (right), CFO of Allied Metal,  for offering APA two job shadowing spots at his company on March 16.


Mr. Gilford said, "We're happy to help whenever we can, and we hope to be able to offer jobs in APA students in the future."

 

For almost 60 years, Allied Metal has provided aluminum and zinc alloys to manufacturers throughout the Midwest and South. Just weeks ago, they started a new business:  Again Auto Parts, located at 1300 North Kostner.

 

Mr. Gilford told APA Industrial Coordinator Bill Vogel (left), "We'd sure appreciate the families of Austin Polytech Students thinking of Again Auto Parts when they need good used auto parts."

Four new APA students inducted into National Honor Society

Congratulations to Lenesha Bowles, Alisha Johnson, Tyiesha Moncrief, and Brittany Trotter for their induction to the APA National Honor Society Chapter on December 10!
 
 

Cake
 
  

The induction ceremony was facilitated by fellow APA NHS members Sade Armstrong, Joselyn Broadway, Alicia Cook, Michael Hudson, Janice Ford, Cuauhtemoc Mendoza, Kadedra Murph, Hywania Orange, Charmaine Simmons, and Cheyenne Sims.

 

NHS

 

NHS sponsor and guest speaker Ms. Daviea Freeman encouraged students to uphold the criteria of NHS: service, leadership and character. Ms. Freeman also charged the NHS students to motivate others to achieve their academic excellence, and potentially become members of NHS. Austin Polytech NHS sponsors also include Ms. Kelsey Gibney, Ms. LaTanya Lamber, and Mr. Peter Schoedel.