PTC hosts high school students' robotics scrimmage

Last Friday, PTC hosted two teams of high school students in a robotics scrimmage. Students from Pine City High School and Rush City High School met at PTC and went head-to-head in a friendly competition to help them prepare for a season of robotics competitions that starts in January and ends in April. The upcoming competition is part of the prestigious VEX Robotics Competition - a global program with more than 2600 teams from more than 20 countries playing in more than 200 tournaments worldwide.

PTC is providing more than just a venue for the teams to practice; PTC and the 360⁰ Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence (a consortium of 10 MnSCU institutions led by Bemidji State University -- of which PTC is a member), are organizing and introducing Central Minnesota's own mini-league of participating VEX robotics teams, to be known as the 360⁰ Robotics Competition, or RC.

Jodie Klinkhammer, Assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs and Student Affairs Office Manager at PTC, is spearheading PTC's involvement and organization of the RC and says the support of technical programs that encourage the region's youth is critical for the sustainment of rural industry.

"Robotics competitions, like the one these students are preparing for, are effective in inspiring students to pursue careers and the study of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields," says Klinkhammer. "Industries owe much of their success to innovative engineers, and those engineers often are impressed and influenced in their youth through events like this," Klinkhammer adds.

The PCHS and RCHS robotics teams that scrimmaged on Friday are two of the newly-formed RC teams. PTC and the 360⁰Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence are providing the teams with the equipment to design and build their starter robot, and PTC also is providing limited technical support. The teams will compete in their tournament in St. Cloud, Minn., Feb. 23.

TOP PHOTO: Students from Pine City High School and Rush City High School operate a robotic machine in an arena.

MIDDLE PHOTO: A PTC computer programming student and the robotics team coach, Tom Kloeckl, troubleshoot a mechanical issue with the robot.

BOTTOM PHOTO: High school students, with Coach Tom Kloeckl, proudly pose with the robot their team built.

Student nominates Automotive Technology instructor for prestigious award

Automotive Technology program graduate James Floding recently nominated instructor Jeff Ruth for the prestigious Mahle Clevite Champion Technician award. Floding, who graduated from the program in 2012, earning an A.A.S. with high honors, admired Ruth for not only his skill and industry expertise but also for his patience and style of teaching. Ruth has been teaching at PTC for more than 11 years, and prior to that, he worked at Northwest Iowa Technical College as an automotive instructor for 14 years.

With Floding's permission to publish, we are proudly sharing Floding's nominating essay in support of Ruth.

"Jeff Ruth, a relative of Babe Ruth, hits more homeruns in the classroom than the Sultan of Swat hit on the diamond. As an instructor in the Automotive Technology department at Pine Technical College, Ruth’s passion for engine building is the stuff of legend. Ruth is preparing engine builders of tomorrow with the same tenacity the Bambino showed at the plate. By student vote, Ruth was named 2010 – 2011 PTC Teacher of the Year. And, as the advisor of PTC’s SkillsUSA chapter, Ruth is overseeing and coaching the building a 383 Stroker – no simple feat. Ruth’s experience in building engines already has proven to be a huge advantage over the duration of the project, and his enjoyment in teaching, problem-solving, and working with students is evident each day.

Ruth was named an AAIA-ASE World Class Technician in 1988; he has been an engine builder for Sprint Car teams (winning several championships), Figure-8 racing teams, and snowmobile racing teams; and, previously, he has held Master Certifications in Medium and HD Truck, Auto-Body, and Auto Machining. Also, while working at a GM dealership, Ruth earned a Master Oldsmobile Certification. Currently, Ruth holds ASE Automotive Master Certification. Ruth also owned a repair shop servicing automobiles, boats, small engines, snowmobiles, and ATVs for over 20 years, and he has passed on his passion to his son, who also is a technician today. Ruth’s résumé is undeniably worthy of a relative of Babe Ruth. I enthusiastically nominate Jeff Ruth for the Mahle Clevite Champion Technician."

The annual contest, which just closed in late November, is designed to honor the skills and experience of engine technicians and specialists nationwide.

"This competition is a nationwide contest, and I am simply humbled to have been a part of it," Ruth says. "It's pretty special when your students want to honor your work and dedication like this," Ruth adds.

PHOTO at top: Jeff Ruth, Automotive Technology Program Instructor.

Happy Holidays from PTC!

Happy Holidays from PTC! Best wishes for a happy holiday season to all our students, alumni, staff, faculty, donors, and all our business and industry partners. Enjoy our "year-in-review" slideshow!

Pine Art Gallery features works by MA student Jackie Carlson

 

Jacqueline“Jackie” Carlson has an artistic streak as wide as a country mile; with scores of framed digital works as vivid and bright as a 150-count Crayola® box, Carlson’s hobby is a relatively new hobby for an artist whose works are so polished.

 

“I took up photography as a hobby only about four years ago,” says Carlson. “My favorite place to shoot is on Lake Superior; my husband and I have a cabin there, and the natural beauty of the landscape and seascape is really inspiring,” Carlson adds.

 

Carlson’s affection for nature is apparent in her works, as many of them feature wild birds and flowers.

 

Carlson’s artistic endeavors are not limited to photography; Carlson is a member of the Burnett Area Arts Group (BAAG) Art Center in Siren, Wisc. and recently dabbled in fabric-dyeing. Starting with white linen, Carlson explains that artists are able to get creative with colors and make pillows and scarves, and use dyed pieces for quilting and décor.

 

A student in the medical assistant A.A.S. program, Carlson started her academic career at Pine Technical College in June, 2010. Previously, Carlson worked in an ophthalmology clinic and decided to return to college for a degree in a field aligned with her medical-service background. An empty nester, Carlson resides in Grantsburg, Wisc. with her husband and her 115 lb. Alaskan malamute, Meeko.

 

You can see a few of Carlson’s photography pieces on display now through May, 2013. The exhibit, affectionately called the Pine Art Gallery, features works of original art created by established and/or emerging artists from the Pine Area, embracing the talent and creativity of PTC students, staff, faculty, and the larger Pine community. The works featured change seasonally, and many kinds of artworks are showcased including paintings, photographs, pottery, sculptures, sketches, wood carvings and more. If you are an artist from the Pine Area and wish to exhibit your works, see the Pine Technical College Director of Marketing Director in Student Affairs.

 

PHOTO at top

Photos by Jackie Carlson are on display in the Pine Art Gallery.

PHOTO below
Jackie Carlson, MA student and current Pine Art Gallery exhibitor.