Tomorrow’s Technician

The Scorpion: A Hot Car that runs on Cool H2O

Skove — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:15:00 GMT

This was the coolest car I saw at the SEMA show last fall. It's actually a HYBRID! Can you believe it? You spend between $150,000 and $250,000 on a beautiful car like this AND you're worried about the environment. Ronn Motors hs developed a kit to retrofit this and other vehicles so that they can run on water! That's right, h2O. It Technically, it is called a hydrogen-on-demand fuel injection system. They also say it will increase your fuel mileage by 30-40%, even on a Scorpion like this, which has 600 HP twin turbo-chargers! The system burns hydrocarbons completely, so exhaust is turned into hydrogen, and will not pollute the air. One gallon of water will fuel this car for 5,000 miles.

Smoky Hill Auto - One of the Top 20 Applicants

Skove — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:39:00 GMT

I have been diligently reading through all the material the top schools have sent in. I wanted to share this from Brian Manley and Scott Seperich, automotive instructors at Smoky Hill High School. I found it to be inspirational to me, and I hope you draw inspiration from it as well!

"I am proud to have the opportunity to apply for the second annual TT/CP School of the Year Award. In the pages that follow you will facts, figures and photos about our Automotive Training Program here at Smoky Hill High School. We have collected recommendation letters, copied certificates, reproduced photos and rifled through file folders to produce what is in the pages of this binder, all with the goal of showing what we do well here in our school.

I have to say that, after undertaking this lengthy process for the second year, I have a renewed definition of what we "do" here as instructors and as a program that serves our community We are here to help our students lead happpy, productive and fulfilling lives, and we are here to show them the steps to get them there through smart choices and by pursuing post-secondary education. that may sound simple enough, and I am reminded of this fact while reading what others had to say about our program, and how students feel about their experience while attending our program.

I am heartened by the fact that what we do as instructors seems to have a profound and far-reaching positive impact on the lives of so many young people, and that is what makes my job so incredible. This process of applying for your award has helped to re-connect us with some former students, and has enhanced some of the connections that we have in our community, and that makes our program that much stronger. Alumni from our program have completed apprenticeships, graduated from Automotive Associate and Bachelor Degree programs and are now employed all over our country through various companies. this is the legacy that I am most proud of."

This is just the first page of their application!

School of the Year Semi-Finalists

Skove — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:18:00 GMT

We've received the second round of materials from most of our semi-finalists. A group of our editors and I have been reading the more complete applications. I just finished reading Gwinnett Technical College's and Ramona High School's information. Their applications and information were presented in two very different styles. But both are equally qualified to win!

This completition is exciting to determine because we are able to see the passion the instructors bring to their classroom, through the materials they send in. The faculty for each school is top-notch - many instructors are ASE-certified in five or more categories!

Having read only two applications, I can't say who will win just yet. But if the other applications are as good as Gwinnett's and Ramona HS's, it is going to be a tough decision! Thanks to everyone who competed in the first round, and a special thanks to your semi-finalists for all the hard work you put into your applications. Check back for another update, later this week!

Win Big Prizes!

Skove — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:30:00 GMT

Chicago Pneumatic Increases T2 School of the Year Prize Value to $25,000 in Second Annual CompetitionDeadline for entering the competition is December 31, 2008_________________________________________________________________________

Chicago Pneumatic, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of high-performance aftermarket tools, accessories and compressors, has increased the prize value of the second annual TT School of the Year to $25,000. The 2009 School of the Year will be awarded $10,000 in Chicago Pneumatic tools, with three regional winners receiving tools worth $5,000.

In addition to nationwide recognition in Tomorrow’s Technician magazine and the tool prizes from Chicago Pneumatic, the winning schools will receive a School of the Year plaque, flag and shop banners, and apparel. Entries must be received by December 31, 2008.

Students, teachers and school supporters can nominate their school online at www.tomorrowstechnician.com by clicking on the T2 School of the Year presented by Chicago Pneumatic banner. Entries can also be sent to T2 Editor Ed Sunkin via e-mail at esunkin@babcox.com or by mail to 2008/09 School of the Year, Tomorrow’s Technician, 3550 Embassy Parkway, Akron, Ohio 44333. Entry forms must include the nominee’s name and position, school name and address, contact information and a 500-word or less answer to why you think your school should be named this year’s School of the Year.Tomorrow’s Technician received more than 170 entries during last year’s School of the Year competition, including the grand prize winner, Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Ill., and three regional finalists: Tennessee Tech Center in Newbern, Tenn.; North Central Technical Skills Center in Wenatchee, Wash.; and the Sultana High School Automotive Tech Program in Hesperia, Calif. Last year’s tool prizes were valued at $13,000.Chicago Pneumatic is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative aftermarket tools, accessories and compressors. Founded in 1901, the company serves automotive, truck and heavy equipment repair, and tire and body shops with industry leading pneumatic impact wrenches, ratchets, drills, grinders, pneumatic hammers and sanders. To learn more about Chicago Pneumatic’s dedication to quality and innovation, please visit www.cp.com.

Drifting - I love it!

Skove — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:56:00 GMT

Drifting came to us from Japan originally. The Formula DRIFT series in the U.S. began in 2004. Since then, thousands of fans have come to love drifting as much as I do. 87% of Formula Drift enthusiasts are between the ages of 19-24 and 25-35. Unfortunately, I'm a little older than the average fan, but I love it nonetheless. Thought you would like to know some cool websites that are all about drifting:

www.driftlive.com

www.everythingdrift.com

www.thedriftzone.com

www.urbanracer.com

www.riceboytv.com

Enjoy all the awesome videos and have a great Thanksgiving!

Win $$$Thousands$$$ worth of Tools for your School!

Skove — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:38:00 GMT

Do you have what it takes to wear the title, "Tomorrow's Technician/Chicago Pneumatic School of the Year"?

If you do, you have less than 60 days to enter for a chance to win this year's honors!

Tomorrow’s Technician is pleased to partner with Chicago Pneumatic to present the 2008/09 School of the Year Award

We want to honor the best Automotive School in the U.S., and we invite you to enter today! Nominations are also accepted*

To enter, send the required information and answer why "Your school should be named the School of the Year" in 500 words or less. You can send your entry to the address below or e-mail the information to: esunkin@babcox.com. Entries can also be submitted online at www.tomorrowstechnician.com. Click on the Chicago Pneumatic image. Finalists will be contacted by telephone.

In addition to nationwide recognition for a job well done, the 2009 School of the Year will receive a Chicago Pneumatic School of the Year flag and shop banners, plus Chicago Pneumatic tools, wearables and other prizes. Four regional prizes will be awarded, with the Grand Prize winner earning additional prizes and awards.

There are lots of ways to enter!

Send the required information, plus the answer to the qualifying question to: 2008/09 School of the Year, 3550 Embassy Parkway, Akron, OH 44333.
Email your response to esunkin@babcox.com.
Submit your response online by clicking the Chicago Pneumatic/Tomorrow’s Technician School of the Year button at www.tomorrowstechnician.com.

Required Information to provide on Entry Form:

• Nominee’s Name and Position (must be current subscriber)

• School Name

• School Address

• City, State, Zip

• Daytime Phone Number

• E-mail Address

Qualifying Question:

Answer the following question (500 words or less):

Why should your school be named this year’s School of the Year?

Why We Should all Drive Smarter

Skove — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:39:00 GMT

Simple reason: To Save Money!

Here are some simple ways to improve the fuel economy of your car, courtesy of the Alliance to Save Energy.

When driving -

Don't use drive time to take out your aggression. That's why gyms were invented. Speeding, rapid accelerations and rapid braking can lower gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds. Drivers can save up to 80 gallons of gasoline (that's $350 at today's prices) by driving sensibly on the highway. If you don't have a "lead foot", you can save as much as 10%!

Drive sensibly. Around town, sensible driving can save 5% - up to 30 gallons of gasoline and about $120! Some "hypermilers" recommend using cruise control any time your speed exceeds 30 mph.

Decrease your speed! Speeding costs money (and I'm not talking about the potential for a speeding ticket!) Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly above 60 mph. I have noticed people in my town are seeming to slow down a little. Every five miles per hour over 60 mph is like paying an additional 20 cents per gallon of gas. Yikes!

Avoid idling. Idling get 0 mpg. Cars with larger engines typically waste even more gas while idling than cars with smaller engines. If you're sitting at a railroad crossing - turn off your engine. It's better for the environment, and you'll conserve gas.

Maintenance tips:

Inflate your tires. Properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by about 3%, and it's easy enough to do.

Tune up: Keep your engine tuned! A car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4%. Fixing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve mileage by as much as 40%, saving up to 250 gallons of gas or up to more than $1,000!

Select the right oil: Using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil improves gas mileage by 1 - 2%. Every year, we have several articles in Tomorrow's Technician dedicated to "How to pick the correct oil grade". Check them out and put the information to good use. You'll be glad you did.

School of the Year - sponsored by Chicago Pneumatic

Skove — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:08:00 GMT

Ed Sunkin and I traveled to Sugar Grove, IL, along with several representatives from Chicago Pneumatic, to spend the morning with a very special instructor and his class at Wabaunsee Community College.

In addition to Instructor Jim Armitage and Ken Kunz, most of the big hoo-ha's at Wabonsee Community College attended the presentation. Editor, Ed Sunkin, and representatives from Chicago Pneumatic were also on hand to present the School of the Year Award. Paul Humphreys and Jay Lewis, both from CP, delivered $7,000 worth of CP product for use by the school. Each item was hand picked by Instructor Armitage and Kunz. As a special surprise, Rich Evans, West Coast wunderkind with an airbursh, also owner of Huntington Beach Bodyworks, was on hand to meet the students and faculty, tell about his rise from broom pusher at a Midas shop to world-renowned bodyman, sign autographs and engage in an arm-wrestling match with Ken Kunz.

Tennessee Tech Center at Newbern, TN - One of the top 20

Skove — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:34:00 GMT

The automotive department at the Tennessee Technology Center at Newbern has recently been named among the top 20 best automotive schools in the nation by Tomorrow's Technician, a national publication. Of the top 20, the school's program was named as being one of the top 5 in the southeast region.

TTCN's automotive program enables students to obtain a thorough understanding of the design, construction and theory of the operation within the automotive systems and their relationship to the complete automobile. Working with both secondary and postsecondary students, the program is designed to prepare individuals for a career in today's high-tech automotive repair industry. Units of instruction are broken down into the same areas used by ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence).

I received a link to this article from instructor, Jim Stafford at TTCN.

Jim turned to his local media to get some much-deserved free press.

Students from the automotive class at TTCN hold up copies of Tomorrow's Technician, which recently labeled the school's department as being one of top in the nation. Joining the group is their instructor, Jim Stafford. Front row from left: Ashli Fowler, Austin Gregory, Zeb Livingston, John Andrew, Brandon Cunningham, Adam Davis and Stafford. Back row from left: Mark Roberson, Thomas Marbrey, Casey Buckingham and Brian Milligan.

Students receive training on the most up-do-date equipment and vehicles available, plus older models. Upon completion of the program, all students are eligible to take the ASE Certification test. Students are trained in operating diagnostic equipment, making quick and accurate diagnoses of complex problems, using critical thinking skills and online resources to determine solutions, and repairing vehicles as cost-effectively as possible.

The automotive program at TTCN is the first and only postsecondary school in the state with an Automotive Youth Educational System program. It's also one of only four schools in the state to offer Ford Motor Company Maintenance and Light Repair training and certification. Currently, TTCN is one of only 10 technical schools in the United States, in partnership with Girl Scouts of America, to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor/Bridgestone Tire to teach teen girls responsible car ownership and operation. TTCN is also one of the first postsecondary schools in the state to offer online training and provides General Motors and other OEMs with remote training facilities for dealers and technicians.

"The honor that comes to TTCN is the fact that there are probably more than 2500 automotive programs in the nation and to make the top 20 means that we now know that we are providing one of the very best automotive repair training programs that a person can receive right here in Newbern," said Mary Jane Chapman, Technology Foundations instructor. "Students don't have to travel to large cities to receive the best training. When our automotive program is compared to any other in the country, we can definitely be proud, and our students can say that they were trained at one of the best schools in the country."

Read This Today - What a Top School is All About

Skove — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:42:00 GMT

I received the final applicaton for the School of the Year award from one of our top 20 Finalists, Smoky Hill High School , in Aurora, CO today. This is how Mr. Brian Manley and Mr. Scott Seperich prefaced their application: "I have to say that, after this lengthy process, I have a renewed definition of what we "do" here as instructors and as a program that serves our community. We are here to help our students lead happy, productive and fulfilling lives, and we are here to show them the steps to get them there through smart choices and by pursuing post-secondary education. That may sound simple enough, and I am reminded of this fact while reading what others had to say about our program, and how students feel about their experience while attending our program.

I am heartened by the fact that what we do as instructors seems to have a profound and far-reaching positive iimpact on the lives of so many young people, and that is what makes my job so incredible. This process of applying for your award has helped to re-connect us with some former studetns, and has enhanced some of the connections that we have in our community, and that makes our program that much stronger."

I hope you all have many moments throughout your career that remind you not only of the service you provide as you teach our incoming technicians, but the true impact you have on the lives of your students and their families. I am so fortunate to be a part of Tomorrow's Technician magazine and to "meet" you as a result. Hope someday to make your acquaintance!

Top 20 Schools in the USA

Skove — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:23:00 GMT

Our panel of editors and publishers have been poring over the materials we've received from the top 20 schools that entered the School of the Year contest sponsored by Chicago Pneumatic. As of this morning, we have received additional information from 12 of the 20 selected schools, but they still have today to mail in their stuff! These schools are fantastic and the things they are doing in their community and with their classes are truly top-notch. They make this a very difficult process to glean the best from the best. Some of the letters of recommendation from parents, students and other faculty members are really moving. After reading through all these materials, I can really feel the devotion to teaching that many of you must have.

We announced the top 20 winners on our website and in this month's issue of Tomorrow's Technician. Whether your school made it to the top 20 or not, based on what I've been reading, I'm sure you all have a little bit of "school of the year" in you. I hope we'll have more applicants next year!

Here are just two examples of the community events that the top 20 schools hold:

Piedmont Technical College: Holds a one-week automotive summer camp for 8th and 9th graders. It includes visits to car dealers, and oil change competition, a visit to Charlotte Motor Speedway, and a test drive on the BMW test track in Greer, SC. Wow!

Clover Park Technical College: Our programs have recently worked with the Pierce County Sheriff's department on two projects. The first was to refurbish a retired ambulance that was sent to a small village in Mexico. The other was to take another retired ambulance and turn it into "Santa's Sleight". This is used to take Mr. and Mrs. Santa around to low-income neighborhoods to give out Christmas presents to needy families.

Here's a quote from Jay Winters, the instructor at Sultana High School: "I believe, as the instructor that my focus is and will continue to remain to prepare my students for a lifelong career in the automotive industry. I believe we have an obligation to help students understand the importance of giving back to those who help provide opportunities for them, therefore I encourage my students to participate in some kind of community service project each year ranging from, working on cars for elderly and people with disabilities at no charge, to mowing lawns, raking leaves or picking up trash during campus beautification week and reading to elementary students during Read Across America week. I believe that the true measure of this program is that 95% of all automotive program graduates are still employed by the dealerships they interned with two to three years after graduation."

You Never Know

Skove — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:33:00 GMT

You Never Know

We always love to hear from our readers. Students, technicians, and instructors always give us a lot to think about. Here is something we received from Wayne Greider, an instructor at NASCAR Technical Institute. It's a great story about how one person can make a significant impact on another person's life - many times without even knowing how deeply they've touched that person. Thanks for sharing your story with us Wayne!

It’s been almost six years since I sold my repair facility. After 21 years in business it was time to move on to the next phase of my life. I now teach the next generation of technicians at NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, NC.

I received a phone call the other day from a former employee. It’s been approximately ten years since I’ve spoken to Rob. He came to work for me around 1996, shortly after his father died suddenly at a very young age. At only 18 or so, Rob had some very difficult days from time to time.

I trained him as an apprentice. He started out doing oil changes and basic maintenance, and worked his way into simpler remove & replace work. He worked for me for a year or so before moving on to another job in the auto repair field.

Rob got my phone number from a mutual friend and called to let me know he had opened his own repair facility, purchased a house and was engaged to a wonderful woman. He also wanted to thank me for what I did for him all those years ago. He applied what I had taught, which enabled him to become successful.

I don’t recall doing anything special for Rob, other than try to understand the difficult time he was having. I may have been more flexible with his schedule during that time. Considering everything he was going through, it didn’t seem like that big of a deal to give him a little extra compassion.

Do we understand what impact we have on the people we meet everyday? Employees, students, co-workers come and go over the years, but what impression do we leave on them? We set examples for our family and friends, but what about all the other people we come into contact with every day?

We have good and bad days, but what happens when someone looks to us as the example? Can we afford to have a “bad” day, week or month that might affect someone for the rest of their lives? Who is to say what day we will make a difference in someone’s lives? Are you prepared to be the good example every day?

None of us became successful without help or advice from someone else. Did we learn what to do or not in a certain situation that helped us become successful or just a better person?

This conversation with Rob made me think; is there someone we have met in our careers that we need to thank? Now I tell my students they should always be prepared to meet the person who could change their lives; unfortunately you never know what day or who it will be. I guess I just never thought it would be me.

Do you have someone you need to call?

Wayne Greider
TTL Instructor, NASCAR Technical Institute
Mooresville NC

Wayne has been in the automotive field since 1972 and a shop owner from 1980 to 2001. He is an ASE Master Technician and currently teaches NASCAR Engines and Pit Crew courses at NASCAR Techinical Institute. He has served for over 10 years on both local and state boards of the Illinois ASA and was the technical advisor for the Ford Dispute Settlement Board. Wayne can be reached at wgreider@uticorp.com

And now, a word from our Sponsor

Skove — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:00:00 GMT

When Jay Lewis speaks, people listen. Jay is GM Charlotte Operations & CPVS Americas for Chicago Pneumatic. Sounds like a big deal. In this role he provides strategic support for the growth and development of the Chicago Pneumatic Vehicle Service market in the Americas. It also means he is constantly on the go go go. A 23-year tool and compressor industry veteran, Lewis joined Chicago Pneumatic in 2002. Prior to joining CP, he held multiple sales and management positions in the tool and compressor industry. Lewis holds a BGS degree in marketing from the University of Iowa. (What, you may ask, is a BGS degree? I don't know.)

Our AMN editor, Amy Antenora, recently caught Jay in-between flights, and spoke with him about the changes at CP and in the industry in general. This is what Jay had to say.

Chicago Pneumatic (CP) has been making tools for professional technicians for more than a century. What have been some of the most notable changes that have taken place in the tool market during that time?

The main thing that’s changed is consumer choice. There are more products, solutions and brands than ever in the market, so as a company we need to keep innovating in design and application to insure we remain a preferred brand with the professional technician.

There has been a shift in focus to ergonomics as well. As technicians have become more aware of comfort as well as performance, we have engineered tools to meet this need, striving in new products for what we call E3Q – ergonomics, efficiency, environment and quality.

Associated with the above objectives is the opportunity to drive change in the tool and equipment market with the incorporation of new materials. This also contributes to improved operator comfort and performance.

CP recently announced it would return for a fifth year as a major sponsor of NHRA. What are the benefits of being involved, and how do you use this sponsorship to leverage your brand?

Because such a large percentage of technicians have an interest in racing, NHRA provides Chicago Pneumatic with a fantastic venue where we can spend time with the user. The opportunity to be involved in this racing series and meet hundreds of thousands of tool users is crucial in mobilizing the Chicago Pneumatic brand and showcasing our new products.

This race season, Wyotech, the Official Technical School of NHRA, will join Chicago Pneumatic and Ringers Gloves as a partner in the 2008 Road Show tour, hitting all 24 POWERade Drag Racing Series events across the country.

Our partnership with Wyotech is another tie that demonstrates our dedication to working with the technicians of tomorrow.

CP recently partnered with Tomorrow’s Technician magazine, for the T2 School of the Year competition. Why is supporting tech education important?

Through our partnership with Tomorrow’s Technician, and our dedication to providing the vo-tech arena with educational opportunities, we hope to make a real impact with the young technicians who will lead the next generation of vehicle repair. The sustainability of the industry is obviously very important to us; we want to see it thrive. Making sure the mechanics of the future train with the best tools and understand what to look for when buying tools is key to our future growth as well.

What is CP’s overall marketing strategy and philosophy?

Customer focus and customer driven innovation. Chicago Pneumatic is a brand committed to raising the standards within the vehicle service aftermarket. All of our products are developed with the professional technician in mind - a result of working with key end user groups before, during and after the product design and development process. Large research projects have formed the base of our strategic direction and we make sure we are always realigning our product development in-line with our customers’ needs. A key to our global marketing strategy is focused sales and service in every key market.

How does the company keep a brand with such a long history current and fresh?

Our first focus is always on new product innovation. Look at the ½ inch impact wrench we launched last year, the CP7740. It weighs less than three pounds and still has more than 500 ft.-lbs. of torque – that’s a really big change in what technicians have traditionally been able to choose from. We’ve also entered the cordless category with products that offer unique benefits in power choice, greater access to tight spaces with compact design and surface textures adding to operator comfort, again with the focus on making the tool easier to use for the tech.

We also partner with industry leaders that challenge boundaries. Our relationship with Rich Evans of Huntington Beach Bodyworks, an incredibly talented car designer that is always pushing the envelope in his builds. Our partnership with the NHRA, with Chevrolet as their tool of choice in the FIA World Touring Car Championship – both experiences allow us to connect with customers and show how our tools perform in the most competitive garages in the world. We’re also the official tools of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” in the UK.

We are doing more in the way of connecting with customers as well, like our new Web site, CP7740Challenge.com. Designed to promote the CP7740 Challenge – the site gives our customers a chance to learn more about this product and have some fun at the same time.

What are your thoughts on the tool segment today and going forward? What are some of the major issues this segment of the industry expects to face in the next few years?

The biggest challenge is convincing technicians that they are not just purchasing a commodity, but selecting a product which can improve comfort and safety, while getting the job done more efficiently.

Shop environmental factors such as reducing waste are obviously becoming more of a focus issue as well. A need to reduce noise and vibration levels in tools will be part of this improved shop environment. We are addressing this not only in tools, but also with the CP QRS rotary technology compressor product offering.

CP is also taking an industry leading position with an innovative product offering in the heavy duty market. In the past, changing wheels on heavy duty vehicles has been cumbersome. By learning from technology that our industrial teams developed for OEMs in vehicle assembly, we’ve been able to develop a product line we call BlueTork. It reduces the weight vs that of the standard pneumatic wrench used to change a wheel, lowers the decibel rating, virtually eliminates the vibration common in typical impact wrenches, and turns what can be a two-man job into an easy one-man operation, thereby improving shop productivity.

For the complete interview, please go to http://www.aftermarketnews.com/

This is One of the tools Delphi gave away to the Tennessee Technology Center

Skove — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:22:00 GMT

Vehicle 'Software' Updates Made Easy with Delphi's Universal Reflash Tool

It’s not just enough to read about ECM/PCM reflashes. You need the right tools to help identify service the vehicle. With Delphi’s (www.delphi.com/tools) J2534 Universal Reflash tool — and its exclusive, upgraded reprogramming workbench — you’re about seven mouse clicks away from instantly updating ECMs/PCMs with the latest OEM calibrations. And, you can do it all wirelessly!

Delphi’s reprogramming workbench supports all pre- and post-programming steps and has been extensively validated with many OEM systems, including GM, Ford, Chrysler and Toyota. It has reflash ability for all J2534 compliant modules, from powertrain and transmission to HVAC and suspension systems. And with Delphi, you also get RepairPoint Essentials — an online suite of diagnostic services — as well as a comprehensive system of integrated training, education and technical support services that build complete reflash confidence.

To view a product demonstration or for more information, visit www.delphi.com/tools or call (800) 545-2220.

I just pulled this in from our AutoCareProNews website because I thought you might be interested in knowing more about the types of products you can win when you enter contests through Tomorrow's Technician. Delphi is sponsoring our Pop Quiz page again this year, and is offering $3,500 in tools and equipment to one winning school. Just one glitch - ya gotta register to win..... So - look for the Pop Quiz page on the homepage of the website, and click on the Delphi logo. Good luck.

School of the Year Update - Top 20 Entrants

Skove — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:01:00 GMT

As I mentioned in an earlier blog-post, the application period for the T2/Chicago Pneumatic School of the Year has closed. We received more than 170 applications nominating over 80 schools. Thanks to all who entered!

We have scored all the initial applications in order to choose the Top 20 best Applicants. The quality of many of the applications was very good, making it difficult to determine the Top 20. There are so many excellent High Schools, Colleges, and Career Centers teaching automotive instruction. Applications came from as far west as the Bret Harte Union High School in Angels Camp, CA, to the east, represented by Mascenic Automotive Career Center in New Ipswich, NH. We received applications from instructors, principals, department chairs, and students. We've heard from several schools in North Dakota, including the Quentin N. Burdick Job Corps program in Minot, the Missouri River Correctional Center in Bismarck, and the ND State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND. Representing the south, we've received applications from several schools in Florida and Alabama, including LBW Automotive Department in Opp, AL, Inlet Grove Community High School in Inlet Grove, FL, Chipola College in Marianna, FL, and Seminole CC in Sanford, FL. Most of the regions of our country have been well-represented by applicants. Some applicants are located in major cities, but it was surprising to me how many technical educators are teaching students in more rural or less-populated areas.

Here are just a few of the comments and qualifications we’ve received from our top 20 applicants: “The program is taught by 2 instructors and an assistant with 30 years combined teaching experience. The two instructors are Master Certified Technicians, and maintain their technical competency by attending over 100 hours of training annually.” Parkside High School

“The automotive program provides real world live work experience for students with on-going Free Safety Inspections and Service and Repair work for Senior Citizens, Single Parents, and people with Disabilities, at a minimum charge. This is an opportunity for students to give back to their community and is funded and provided by a Learn and Serve Federal Grant.” Haney Technical Center and Tech High School

“No student is treated like a number here. Our college is unique in that we treat every student as individuals. We adapt our teaching styles and make personal connections with each student to ensure student success.” Renton Technical College

“We have placed more student interns with dealerships than any other automotive program in the United States for the past two years. In 2007, EVIT students placed first in the Arizona SkillsUSA competitions, and took first place in both the Ford Pit Crew Challenge and the Arizona Automotive Dealers Association Troubleshooting Contest.” East Valley Institute of Technology

Our Top 20 finalists are listed below:Northeast Region

Automotive Training Center, Warminster, PA
Ivy Tech Community College, Ft. Wayne, IN
Parkside High School, MD
University of Northwestern Ohio, Lima, OH
Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, IL

Southeast Region

Ayden-Grifton High School, Ayden, NC
Haney Technical Center and Tech High School, Panama City, FL
LBW, Opp, AL
Piedmont Technical College, Greenwood, SC
Tennessee Technology Center, Newbern, TN

Northwest Region

Clover Park Technical College, Lakewood, WA
College of Eastern Utah, Price, UT
NCT Tech Center, Wenatchee, WA
Renton Technical College, Renton, WA
Western Wyoming Community College, Rock Springs, WY

Southwest Region

Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, CO
Coffeyville Community College, Columbus, KS
East Valley Institute of Technology, Mesa, AZ
Smoky Hill High School, Aurora, CO
Sultana High School Automotive Technology Program, Hesperia, CA

Some of these applicants have websites that highlight their school. Please feel free to check them out and let us know who you think should be the next School of the Year.