Iredell-Statesville Schools School & Family Magazine Summer 2017 | Page 6

Work Based Learning
You’ve heard the buzz words….work-based
learning (WBL), and nationwide, people are talking
about this educational strategy. The concept is
not new to Iredell- Statesville Schools (I-SS),
and in fact; the Career
and Technical Education
(CTE) Department is a
leader when it comes to
engaging students in the
concept. WBL gives students
the opportunity to apply
academic and technical skills
learned in the classroom,
to real-life work practices.
By including the business
community, the student
develops better employability skills to help prepare
them to make solid career choices. Starting in
middle school, students are introduced to CTE
courses which intensify in their high school years.
Joanie Winterkamp, I-SS District Work-Based
Learning Coordinator works hard to link students
with a business partner. WBL comes in many
forms: Company Tours/College Events, Internships/
Apprenticeships, Summer Camps, Classroom/
Industry Partnerships and Career Fairs; just to
name a few.
Company Tours:
During November, 2016 and March, 2017,
Doosan Portable Power hosted 130 High School
students (“Advanced Manufacturing Day”) and 32
students from West Iredell Middle School (“STEM”
4 Iredell-Statesville School & Family
Event) in Statesville. High School students learned
about the overall business model of Doosan, and
toured various departments: Design, Machining,
Airend Assembly, Engineering Lab, Test Porch,
Sheet Metal, Remanufacturing,
Assembly Operations, Product
Display and Air Compressed
Potato Gun for hands-on
demonstrations. Middle School
students also toured the facility,
then participated in a heat
transfer and electrical hands on
activity. Students enjoyed the
diverse learning opportunities.
College Events:
In April,