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It’s fairly common that we associate certain job positions with a specific gender. For instance, if you think ‘car mechanic’ you typically expect that person to be a male based on historical statistics, but the Copper Country ISD is hoping to see those stereotypes change by introducing a group of unconventional students the field.
“We have women in CTE today. All of the girls from all of the schools get to come and participate in the classes and what a day would be like in these classes,” said auto instructor David Nahri.
The students took part in the all day field trip to the newly renovated Career Tech Center, and rotated through three industrial arts classes where every activity was hands on and a new informative experience.
Narhi said, “They are going through different stations where one is an alignment process. Anytime you separate a steering and suspension component, you need to put the vehicle back into alignment. Another activity, they are taking a tire on and off a rim, and they are also balancing a tire—something that happens daily in the automotive industry.”
The day is about much more than just automotive. With an hour and a half in the wood shop, each student built and finished a shelf to take home and hang on the wall, serving as a reminder of the experience, or perhaps an inspiration to take the course with the upcoming semester change.
“I came to this class as one of these students last year, and I thought it was pretty cool so I took the class to teach them this year,” said 11th grader Heidi Erickson, who showed the newcomers how to use a torque wrench. Many were naturally cautious and hesitant to use the air powered impact gun. Erickson said, “I was scared too. But it’s not that scary, it’s pretty easy.”
“They’re all a little bit nervous at first. They feel a little bit uncomfortable. ‘I don’t think I would normally take this class.’ I think that when they see some of their fellow female students in the class and showing them how to do it, they start to get involved and they pick it right up and that’s great to see, I love to see it,” said Narhi.
In the welding class girls, cut and then mig welded small pieces of rebar into the shape of a snowflake before painting it to take home. The feeling of achievement associates a pleasant learning experience with the student, which draws further interest.
Narhi said, “I really would like to see more female students take this class. It’s a great class for them. They do really very, very well in this class. And sometimes they do even better than their counterparts, yes.”
Students interested in classes offered by the ISD should call for enrollment. (906) 482-4250.
