Wolcott Tech Exploratory PAL Program Introduces Trades to Middle Schoolers
August 19, 2022
This week, Oliver Wolcott Technical High School hosted 6th and 7th graders from surrounding towns for an Exploratory Police Activities League (PAL) Program. The PAL Program, created in partnership with the Torrington Police Department, aims to promote character development and self-esteem while building positive relationships among children, police officers and the community, as well as providing children with alternatives to crime, violence and substance abuse.
The cohort of 13 students spent the week being introduced to five different trade shops at Wolcott Tech including Carpentry; Electrical; Mechanical Design and Engineering Technology (MDET); Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing; and Plumbing and Heating.
“It’s important to introduce these students to careers that they may not be exposed to in middle school by having them come in in 6th and 7th grade to sample these five unique shops,” said Gail Duffy, Wolcott Tech Assistant Principal. “It’s learn, do, learn here at Wolcott and this kind of hands-on learning is highly engaging to the middle school student, with the combination of the trades and a strong academic curriculum.”
Led by MDET Department Head Ray Tanguay, Wednesday was spent learning how to build a 3D model. Using their favorite image of a bridge or watchtower as inspiration, the kids used popsicle sticks, scissors and glue guns to create their vision.
Two incoming 7th graders, Owen and Tommy, described the MDET activity as their favorite so far that week.
“We’ve gotten to do the most activities and the most building today. We started with our inspiration but just went with our instincts.”
Both students have family members that graduated from CTECS, a father from Electrical and a sister from Culinary, and have been interested in attending a technical high school since they were young.
