Cincinnati
The Work Resource Center (WRC) operates the Cincinnati High School High Tech program. Following the High School High Tech model, WRC has enrolled 40 students from the 9 th through 12 th grades since its inception in October 2001. WRC’s program is unique in the country in that it operates in a Smart Lab which is a comprehensive learning environment designed by Creative Learning Systems, Inc. based in San Diego, California. It integrates written information and exercises with hands-on laboratory experiences arranged in four islands, which provide an environment in which to utilize eight technologies as follows: 1) Multimedia Production 2) Computer Aided Programming, 3) Science and Data Acquisition, 4) bit-Mapped and Object Oriented Graphics, 5) Computer Simulators, 6) Circuitry, 7) Control Technology; and 8) Physical Simulators.
In addition to this high tech environment, WRC’s High School High Tech program has integrated job site visits and direct interaction for its students with people currently employed in technology fields with such companies as General Electric, Proctor & Gamble, and WLWT-TV. Students have also interacted with representatives from other professional organizations such as the Society of Black Engineers.
Combining learning experiences in this high tech environment with design elements of technology job site visits and direct interaction with people currently employed in technology fields, the program has had a 100% graduation rate for seniors, and over 80% have graduated with jobs. Two graduating students even partnered to start a business still in operation.
Check out their website for more information: http://www.workresourcecenter.org/smartlab.html
