The Engineering Career Program students at the New Castle Career Center (NCCC) recently competed in the “F.I.R.S.T.” Tech Challenge (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). This competition attracts nearly 7,500 teams from across the country to complete science and technology challenges. 

The challenge for this year’s competition was to build a robot that could pick up and foam rings and place them into 1 of 4 scoring areas on a 12’x12’ playing field. In a traditional year, the playing field would be occupied by four robots with teams of 2 playing against one another. This year, however, a hybrid system was developed so teams could compete virtually from their own facilities rather than travel to a central location.

The NCCC team was a member of the South Central League, which represented schools in Indianapolis, Southport, Greenwood, and New Castle. This was the first year NCCC has competed in this competition, so the students set their sights on creating a reliable designed robot. 

“As our build season had just gotten started, we encountered the COVID shutdown and we started to feel the constraints of actual lab time available to build the robot,” explained Kelly Neal, Engineering Career Instructor. “Ultimately, lack of lab time resulted in our team missing many of the virtual competitions. The students, however, continued working without hesitation and completed their robot in time for the last competitive event.”

The team worked their way through the competition, increasing their scoring percentage by nearly 150% by the last round. Ultimately the team placed 11^th out of 20 teams in the South Indianapolis Invitational.

“Even though we had a senior-led team, there is great optimism that the remaining juniors will come back next year and pick up where we left off,” Neal continued. “I hope to see them continue to grow in their experience and readiness.”

For more information about the Engineering Career Program or the 17 other career programs offered at the New Castle Career Center, visit nccareercenter.org

For some students, the option to work with their hands makes more sense than sitting at a desk. The New Castle Career Center (NCCC) gives students the ability to do what they enjoy during the school day, while also preparing them to enter the workforce.

NCCC held their annual Machine Trades Program signing day event on May 13. During this event, seniors are honored for accepting employment opportunities post-graduation. The students sign a letter of intent, stating they are committing to a specific employer.

Many of the students begin as an intern at one of the employers that partners with the NCCC. After their internship has ended, they are then offered the opportunity to stay and transition into full-time employment. Employee partners include Crown Equipment, Hy-Flex, Hoosier Feeder, Indiana University East, INFAME, Magna Machine, Major Tool and Engineering, Plastic Recycling Inc., Purdue Polytechnic, Royal Machine, Service Engineering, and Spiceland Wood Products.

“This event is a highlight for the Career Center and the programs involved,” explained Greg Dickerson, Machine Trades Instructor. “Our ultimate goal is to get students through their programs with enough knowledge to leave and begin their career. The past few years, the recruitment for the Machine Trades program has been outstanding.”

This year’s event featured both 2020 and 2021 graduates. Last year’s students weren’t able to celebrate, so they were invited to join as well. Family and friends gathered to watch each student put pen to paper and be rewarded for their hard work during their high school careers.

Students that were celebrated are: Nigel Vance (Hagerstown High School), Piper Colten (Knightstown High School), Brady Howell (Knightstown High School), Hayden Brown (Knightstown High School), Cameron Marcum (New Castle High School), Tristan Hargrave (New Castle High School), Carson Woolard (New Castle High School), Hunter Addison (New Castle High School), Nathan Gwinn (New Castle High School), Tyler Decker (New Castle High School), Trey Pinkston (Shenandoah High School), Benjamin Acra (Shenandoah High School), Daryl Frith (Tri High School), and Evan Murphy (Tri High School).

“The Machine Trades program has helped me enjoy school more; I start my day by doing something that isn’t stressful,” noted student Tristan Hargrave. “The program makes my day better, and Mr. Dickerson is always there to talk- even if it’s not machine related.”

For more information about the NCCC and the 18 programs they offer to students, visit nccareercenter.org