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January 16, 2017

Tech program links students to business

A new education trend based on combining classroom instruction in science, technology, engineering and math benefits with hands-on challenges requiring real-world solutions is paying off for a Biddeford company.

The Journal Tribune reported that approach is seeing great success in Biddeford, where Biddeford High School student Nic Drummey, who takes courses at Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, has been making cookie cutters using 3-D printing for MugBuddyCookies, a local company that creates small, decorative cookies that rest on the edges of coffee mugs.

Drummey told the paper he started working at the company two years ago taping boxes, and realized he could put his coursework to use.

Ed Driscoll, Drummey’s teacher, said Drummey’s initiative is a perfect example of BRCOT’s mission: to prepare students for skilled technical careers through experiential learning.

“It’s where the community is benefitting, the student’s getting a real experience I can’t give them out of a book and his classmates are also watching the process,” Driscoll said.

BRCOT provides career and technical education for students from Biddeford, Kennebunk, Old Orchard Beach high schools and Thornton Academy.

Last May, technology teacher Gus Goodwin, teaching a similar hands-on program at King Middle School in Portland, told Mainebiz he didn’t expect every child in his class to become an engineer when they grow up. "At the same time,” he said. “if kids don't get to have experiences where they can build something, make mistakes and fix them, they might not ever know that jobs exist in which creativity and problem-solving are all essential skills that they need to have."

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