manassas city public schools career and technical
TRANSCRIPT
Manassas City Public Schools
Career and Technical Education Newsletter!
Inside this issue
Support for First Responders .. 2
The Online CTE challenge ....... 2
MCPS STEM ............................ 3
OSHA Certs .............................. 3
Hospital Donates Equipment ... 4
Robotics Wins Award ............... 5
Doughnuts with the Engineers . 6
Community Engagement. ..... .6-7
Student Wins Scholarship ........ 7
FBLA Award ............................. 8
Flight Simulators ...................... 8
Business teacher retires ............ 9
Special points of interest
Contact MCPS CTE
CTE Online Curriculum
Submit a CTE Article
Spring 2020 Manassas City Career and Technical Education Department
MCPS CTE Department Embraces Online Learning by Being Creative!
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, this spring brought about many
challenges and changes in the delivery of instruction for Manassas
City Public Schools and the OHS Career and Technical Education
Department. CTE leans a lot on “hands-on” learning through its
learning opportunities. With the students at home this semester, it
brought about a difficult situation.
To provide educational opportunities for students, teachers and
administration worked together to offer alternatives for students to
learn about their program, check off competencies and finish the 2019-
2020 school year strong.
Members of the Osbourn High School Career and
Technical Education Department, along with Osbourn
administrators, conduct weekly department meetings
via Zoom!
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Students Make Noise for First Responders
Left is Leigh Tedford, top right is instructor Robin
Albrecht, and bottom right is Mohamad Taha.
“Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon launched the “Cowbell Challenge” amid the coronavirus pandemic, calling on Americans to unite at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20th. He asked that everyone open their windows and make noise to support first responders and each other. This was one of the first “gatherings” of the pandemic.
Manassas is getting even more colorful as ‘chalk your walk’ messages are being created throughout neighborhoods with the goal of lifting spirits. As the virus continues to spread, communities are coming together to make a positive impact. Driveways and sidewalks are being covered in chalk, spreading messages of positivity, thanking hospital staff and first responders, and encouraging others to stay home.
The challenge of teaching CTE courses online: CyberSecurity and Robotics
written by Instructor, David Frederick
CTE courses are normally very hands-on activities; switching to online classes presents real challenges.
My CyberSecurity class teaches students the technology of desktop computers and how to be a system
administrator. We normally learn by performing numerous hands-on labs using virtual machines on the powerful
workstations in the classroom. Virtualization is the technology behind the Internet “Cloud”. Virtualization creates a
virtual computer inside another computer. Virtualization allows students to be granted administrative rights (full
control) over a Windows 10 Guest computer while operating on the highly locked down host classroom workstation.
Since our students are out of the classroom, we are using the Virginia CyberRange to continue the course. The
Virginia CyberRange is a state provided resource supporting high school and college level cybersecurity training. It
provides multiple lab environments ranging from simple web servers to a small network consisting of multiple Linux
and Windows virtual computers. This resource is free to students within Virginia.
I have revised my course material to practice previously taught skills in the new environment and learn new skills
in the new environment. The Virginia CyberRange is designed to contain the students and prevent them from hacking
the real Internet. The only disadvantage of this environment is that I can’t provide my students a set of cybersecurity
tools which I normally use in the class.
My Technology of Robotics Design class normally has the students building mechanical Vex robots and writing
software in the RobotC computer language to control their operation. These hands-on activities are also transitioning
to the online environment. Searching the Internet, I found a European Union based resource called RobotBenchMark
which meets my needs. The RobotBenchMark project provides a variety of realistic robot simulations programming
using the Python computer language. The robot simulations start with basic obstacle avoidance, expand into picking
up blocks from a virtual convey belt and placing them in a box. A final challenge is to program a modern car to
autonomously drive down a highway avoiding traffic. Since software is the key technology in Robotics, my class will
learn to program in Python and program the virtual robots.
MCPS CTE Contact Information
CTE Supervisor
Dr. Bernard “Trey” Davis.
(571) 377-6067 [email protected]
Osbourn CTE Administrator
Ms. Betsy Ingles-Whitaker
(571) 377-7000
Osbourn CTE
Department Chair
Ms. Margaret Connors
(571) 377-7000 [email protected]
Metz Middle School
CTE Department Chair
Mr. Dan Krotzer
(571) 377-6800
Carpentry and Auto Technology Students Earn OSHA Certifications
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Thirty-two students earned the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) certification this past year. The students from
the Carpentry and the second-year Auto Technology students
participated in the OSHA online program. Students received completion
certificates. Some examples are shown below.
Grades K-8 STEM Projects
MCPS has a strong STEM program throughout its’ school system.
Students have many opportunities to engage in STEM projects
throughout their educational school years. Students learn real-life skills
throughout the problem solving opportunities and how to work together
in small groups.
Novant Health donates equipment to Osbourn EMT program
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ARTICLES? If you have interesting programs, events and information to share pertaining to career and technical education, please email Dr. Davis at [email protected] or call (571) 377-6067.
The CTE newsletter is printed in the fall, winter and spring.
Manassas City Public Schools
8700 Centreville Rd. Suite 400
PO Box 520 Manassas, VA 20108
(571) 377-6000 (Phone) (703) 257-8801 (Fax)
On February 14, 2020, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
program celebrated the recent donation of a stretcher and a stair chair.
The equipment was a generous donation from Novant Health UVA
Health System. The equipment will be a valuable addition to the hands-
on opportunities within the EMT program.
Dr. Stephen M. Smith, President
and COO of Novant Health UVA
Health System, speaks with
Victoria Peters, a student in the
EMT program.
Victoria has been accepted to
numerous major colleges. She is
waiting on her decision to UCLA
where she wants to major in the
field of medicine. Victoria enjoyed
hearing about the educational and
professional career of Dr. Smith.
The Osbourn Robotics team had a great 2019-2020 season. The highlight of the season was being on the winning alliance at the Battlefield High School Robotics competition. Our team alliance also played into the semi-finals at the second competition held in Richmond, VA.
This year’s FIRST Robotics Competition, called “Infinite Recharge”, consisted of three main challenges. First, the robot had to shoot a 7-inch ball through a 30-inch goal which was 8-feet off of the ground. This is difficult when a human is driving the robot, but even more challenging with the robot performing the same task on its own during the autonomous portion of match. Second, the robot had to perform two actions on a 30-inch color wheel (think “Wheel of Fortune”). In one action, the robot needed to turn the wheel a specific number of turns and second, rotate the color wheel to a specific color. To achieve this task, the robot turned the color wheel while monitoring a color sensor. Finally, the three 150 pound robots in the alliance had to hang on a balance bar while attempting to level the bar. To perform this task, each robot needed to reach up 5 feet, grab the bar and pull itself off of the ground.
A key bonus for this year was great mentor support from a number of recent and not-so-recent Osbourn graduates. Alumni students, either in college or employed by Lockheed Martin, volunteered their time to guide our current Osbourn students in building the robot. This transfer of knowledge is invaluable.
Each year the Osbourn Robotics team adds new fabrication methods to the team skillset. This year the team made heavy use of the Osbourn Makerspace’s Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) Router to fabricate parts. The CNC router is large - measuring
in at 10 feet long and 6 feet wide. This robotic router cuts high precision, repeatable parts in quick time. Students and mentors design robot components in AutoDesk Inventor CAD application then perform a complex process to transform the CAD drawing into instructions the CNC router can implement.
Students on the robotics team learn lifelong skills of teamwork, project management and problem solving while learning specific engineering skills of software development, mechanical fabrication/assembly and integration and test. The real success of our team is reflected by the number of students who are selected by local businesses for permanent and student-intern positions right out of high school.
Congratulations to the Osbourn FIRST Robotics Team.
Robotics Competitions - Competition and FUN!
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Doughnuts with the Engineers!
Career Fairs Cancelled
at MCPS
Each year, every MCPS
school hosts a career fair for
their respective students and
local businesses.
Unfortunately, due to the
Covid-19 virus, all spring
career fairs were cancelled.
We are hoping we can
continue this tradition in the
2020-21 school year.
To find out more about Career and Technical
Education in Manassas City Public Schools, visit the
division website at: https://www.mcpsva.org/CTE
or visit the Osbourn CTE
link at
https://www.mcpsva.org/careerteched
MCPS CTE encompasses a wide range of
opportunities for students to explore and pursue their career objectives prior to
graduating from high school.
Our programs evolve each year in response to the
changing workplace and workforce needs. It is our
mission to provide all students with the skills
necessary to compete in a global society and excel in the careers of tomorrow.
On February 14th, Osbourn High School hosted local engineers at the Doughnuts with the Engineers program. The engineers had the opportunity to speak to several students in a round table timed format. Students rotated around the engineers asking career questions.
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Engineers from Lockheed Martin and Micron were in attendance
at the annual “Doughnuts with the Engineers” student awareness
event held at Osbourn High School on Feb. 14, 2020.
Director Presents CTE update at PW Education and Innovation Chamber
OHS CTE Department
Nominated for PWC Commerce
Award Congratulations to the Osbourn CTE Department for being nominated for the 2020 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Business Award in the category of Innovative Practice or Partnership of the Year.
The CTE Department was nominated for its’ 1st Annual Business Advisory Banquet and the impact to the local business community.
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Dr. Trey Davis, K-12 MCPS CTE Supervisor, presented CTE information to
the Prince William Education and Innovation Chamber at the
meeting on February 4, 2020.
Congratulations Merlin Gamez!
More than 40 years ago, Chick-fil-A employee, Truett Cathay put a mayo jar on the restaurant counter as a way of helping one of her fellow team members earn money for college. Since then, Chick-fil-A’s Remarkable Futures education initiative has increased their scholarship funding reflecting Chick-fil-A’s continued commitment to team members and their futures. It remains one of the highest unrestricted per-employee scholarship investments in the industry.
Merlin Gamez, a senior at Osbourn High School, is one of the team members that will receive a $2,500 scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year. She may re-apply for up to four years for a potential total of up to $10,000 for college if she continues to work at a Chick-fil-A restaurant. Currently, Merlin is a shift manager at the Chick-fil-A located on Liberia Avenue, Manassas, VA. Merlin aspires to become a nurse.
This scholarship was awarded to Merlin based on leadership, academic achievement, work ethic, teamwork and community involvement. According to the owner/operator of this location, George Snyder, this year it was extremely hard to pick a winner as they had approximately 12,000 team members apply. Winners are chosen based upon various categories, however, the most important is community service. In answering the questions, Merlin expanded on the fact that she was involved in the Leader Academy. As a second year participant, she was able to talk about her leadership roles throughout the past two years. In particular, she spoke to the Baldwin Winterfest, Kindness Rocks, School Spirit Workshop held at the Leadership Summit at Woodbridge High School, working with our community shelter SERVE, and of course her church. In addition, Merlin was selected as a member of the National Council of Youth Leadership. As noted by Mr. Snyder, “I want you to know, out of all team members in the past at my store, she deserved it more then any of them. She is one great young lady and I wished I had 20 more of her caliber.”
Merlin Gamez earns Chick-fil-A’s Scholarship
for her Leadership Skills!
The Business Achievement Award (BAA) is a leadership development program
for high school students who are members of Future Business Leaders of America.
The co-curricular activities are aligned to the career clusters, NBEA standards,
and FBLA goals. Students enhance their leadership skills, expand their business
knowledge, contribute to their local communities, and earn recognition by
immersing themselves in their school, community, and FBLA programing. Each level of the BAA covers these core activities and concepts:
Service - Uncover the link between a community and the success of a business. Your members focus
on activities that improve the member’s school, area businesses, community, and state.
Education - Understand business and the world of work. Your members focus on activities and
curriculum that prepare them for corporate America, develop an appreciation of entrepreneurship, and
understand the benefits of continuing education. With input from business educators, industry
professionals, and college educators, your members will be more prepared for their futures at college
and at work.
Progress - Explore the local, state, and national levels of FBLA-PBL and how they complement one
another. Your members focus on activities that promote FBLA-PBL at the local, regional/district,
state and national levels.
The following Osbourn High School students earned the Future Level
Award. These students are also members of the Leadership Program.
Ashley Brizuela-Contreras, Jennifer Cruz, Love Delaney, Merlin Gamez-
Melendez, Sofia Melendez, IvyLynn Powell and Edith Rivera
FBLA Students Achieve Business Achievement Awards
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Haris Panth, the new Aerospace Engineering
teacher at Osbourn High School, is excited to
implement the new simulators into the Aerospace
curriculum.
Students will learn a wide variety of lessons in the
aerospace engineering course but, for several
weeks, they are exposed to learning how to fly a
plane.
Students will learn about airports, the controls of
various planes, and have the opportunity to
“simulate” taking off, flying, and landing a plane.
Mr. Panth is hoping to build a strong relationship
with Manassas City Airport and open up
opportunities for career options.
Flight Simulators Added for New Aerospace
Engineering Course
Robin M. Albrecht is passionate about supporting the growth and
education of others and that all students acquire the attitude,
knowledge, and skills necessary for success. She has been guided by
her values and gives her interest, enthusiasm, passion, and most
importantly, herself in the classroom each day. She has been part of a
larger community and has strived to encourage and support the dreams
and aspirations of others, learn about others, and contribute to the
betterment of her community.
Mrs. Albrecht has been a faculty member at Osbourn High School
located in Manassas, Virginia for the past 38 years, where she taught in
both the Marketing Education and Business and Information
Technology program. While there, she taught 18 different classes and
started numerous courses, most notably the Student Run Credit Union
and the Leadership Program. As an additional duty, she led the
cooperative (co-op) education for the City of Manassas for over fifteen
years. She has extensive experience working with her community and
local government leaders. Albrecht used these relationships to build a
strong BIT Curriculum, Future Business Leaders of America Chapter
and Student Council Association.
Mrs. Albrecht has received numerous awards for her teaching,
innovative ideas and leadership while at Osbourn High School. Most notably, the National Business
Education Secondary Teacher of the Year, 2016; Southern Business Education Secondary Teacher of the
Year, 2015; and the Virginia Business Education Association - Walter L. Shell Business Education Teacher
of the Year, 2008.
Additionally, Albrecht served as the lead advisor for the
CTSO Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA),
coordinating the activities of over 100 Osbourn High School
students. Key accomplishments include: creating and
administering the annual Program of Work, guiding students
in creating projects, developing a public relations program,
running officer candidates and achieving goals and objectives.
OHS students have won competitions and elections at both
the State and National level. Albrecht has also has been the co
-sponsor of the Student Council Association (SCA). Through
her innovation and leadership, OHS SCA has earned the
Virginia Achievement Award for the past 7 years and the
National Gold Seal of Excellence from the National Student
Council Organization for the past 6 years. Albrecht
continually demonstrates passion, commitment, creativity,
initiative, dependability and excellence in all her work.
She has been supported throughout her entire career by her
husband Scott and two children Michael and Laura.
Mrs. Robin M. Albrecht Retires After 38 Years
in Manassas City Public Schools
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