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High schools invest in technology
Amanda Stephenson per cent complete.
astephenson@medicinehatnews.com
“I think student engagement is up in
these courses,” Pudwell says. “Students are
No longer is high school just a place to sit at a desk enthusiastic about the new equipment.”
and copy notes from a chalkboard. In keeping with an
The story is much the same at Medicine Hat
increasingly skills-oriented economy, today’s high school
High School and Crescent Heights High
students have access to top-of-the-line equipment and
School, which between them have been
technology that can help prepare them for a possible
approved for a $473,949 grant over a three-
career in the trades.
year period. This money comes on the heels
In fact, all three of Medicine Hat’s high schools recently of close to $300,000 that Medicine Hat’s
received major grants from the province to help them School District No. 76 received in 2008,
enhance the hands-on learning they offer through their which was also put toward CTS upgrades
CTS (Career and Technology Studies) programs. at the two high schools. The money is being NEWS FILE PHOTO
At McCoy High School, $300,000 was received in 2008 to
used to purchase the latest state-of-the-art
All three of Medicine Hat’s high schools — McCoy, Crescent Heights
expand and refurbish the industrial arts and shop lab. The
equipment in welding, mechanics, carpentry,
and Medicine Hat High — recently received major grants from the
new equipment — such as band saws that automatically
foods, fashion, and cosmetology — and is
province to help enhance the hands-on learning they offer through
shut off when they sense a human finger is too near —
replacing older equipment that is no longer
their CTS (Career and Technology Studies) programs. This new
not only enhance safety, but ensure students are using the
up to industry standard.
money has allowed all three schools to improve programs that include
same kind of tools they would be using out in the work Grade 12 student Camille Finnie takes everything from welding to mechanics to fashion and cosmetology.
world. cosmetology courses at Medicine Hat High
Some of the 2008 money was also used to purchase new
School, and says the new equipment is miles
School, says the hope is that a strong CTS program will
equipment for the home economics room, studio design
ahead of what the students were using before.
encourage kids who may not shine academically to stay
software for the art room, and videography equipment “There’s no comparison,” she says. “It’s a thousand times in school. CTS is meant to ease students’ transition into
and photo lab supplies. better.” the workforce as well as into trades programs at the post-
McCoy has also been approved for $90,000 per year for Not only is the equipment better, Finnie says, but the
secondary level.
the next three years, which the school has used to install expansion to the cosmetology lab means students aren’t "I think if you look at the job situation here, especially
the latest equipment in the cosmetology lab and upgrade bumping into each other anymore. with construction booming the way it was, there's a
the computer software used in information processing
“We’re not getting so frustrated, so we have the chance to
real shortage of tradespeople," Grisonich says. "I think
courses, among other things.
appreciate it more,” she says.
Alberta Education has recognized that we need to get
Principal Clyde Pudwell says the upgrades are now 80
more students involved in trades."
Boris Grisonich, principal of Medicine Hat High
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