Press Relase Information Hotline

• For Immediate Release
  Contact: Monica Ann Mason, 2008 College Tech Prep Showcase Coordinator (216) 288-7413
  
  
  WHAT DO ROBOTS, TOOTH DECAY AND LIBRARY MANAGEMENT HAVE IN COMMON?
  ALL ARE SUBJECTS OF STUDENT PROJECTS IN THE NORTHEAST
  OHIO SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION.
  
  Local Teens to Demonstrate Technical Skills at 2008 College Tech Prep Showcase March 11, 2008
  
  CLEVELAND, Ohio—January 2008 – More than 400 Junior & Senior High School students from Northeast Ohio will gather at Cuyahoga Community College’s Eastern Campus in March to compete for a scholarship that will help prepare them for a technology-related career.
  
  The students are pursuing an educational pathway called College Tech Prep. College Tech Prep students master the academics required for college while at the same time receiving advanced-skill education and training to prepare for the workforce. Students have an opportunity to receive college credit for course work completed in high school and transition directly form high school into two-year associate and/or four year bachelor degree programs.
  
  The annual College Tech Prep Showcase gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge by developing and presenting unique projects in their chosen areas of specialization.
  
  “When you see some of the entries, it’s hard to believe these students are still in high school,” said Monica Ann Mason, a local business professional & Showcase Judge, “The creativity and problem-solving skills the students demonstrate are truly impressive. I can’t wait to see this year’s entries.”
  
  Some highlights from last year’s showcase included a robot that students designed, built and programmed that maneuvered independently around obstacles and reached mapped coordinates on a grid; a study that examined the link between tooth decay, diabetes, and soft-drink consumption; and a software application to manage circulation and inventory at a large Cleveland library.
  
  One Hundred teams will be allowed to enter this year’s competition. Each team must have between two and four students, and there can be up to four teams from each individual College Tech Prep Program. The programs involve partnerships between high schools and area colleges and universities, including Cuyahoga Community College, Kent State University, Lakeland Community College, Lorain Community College, Stark State College, The University of Akron, and Youngstown State University.
  
  The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams in each project category will receive trophies and/or award certificates and all participants will receive a participation certificate. The top teams will split more than $2,000 scholarship money.
  
  “The chance to participate in the College Tech Prep Showcase is really motivating to our students,” said Jennie Royer, Director of Stark County College Tech Prep Consortium. “They work hard all year on a challenging curriculum that reflects real-world requirements, and this competition lets them see how far they’ve come. It provides them with a real sense of accomplishment.”
  
  College Tech Prep prepares students for high wage, high skill jobs in the fast-growing career areas.
  The categories for this year’s entries are:
  • Business Tech/E-Commerce
  • Educational
  • Engineering/CAD/Manufacturing/Automotive Technology
  • Healthcare Tech/Fire/EMT/Biotechnology
  • Horticulture & Environmental Technology
  • Information Technology/IS Programming
  • Information Technology/Multimedia
  • Information Technology/Networking
    
    

  The 2008 College Tech Prep Showcase will be held at Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus at 4250 Richmond Road in Highland Hills on Tuesday, March 11. The competition begins at 9:30a.m. Each team will have eight minutes to make their presentation, and judges, recruited from a wide range of professional backgrounds, will have two minutes to ask questions, and then complete their evaluations. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in the E2 Theater (E2 Building) beginning at 1 p.m. Photo and interview opportunities are available.
  
  About College Tech Prep
  Ohio College Tech Prep is designed to provide and educational pathway that prepares students for careers in technical fields. The pathways require specific coursework in high school and additional education and training at a two- or four- year institution. College Tech Prep’s goal is to create seamless transitions between each educational stage and ultimately between education and the work world. Business, industry, and labor support College Tech Prep by providing internships, early job placement, part- and full-time summer employment and scholarships. For more information, visit www.techprepohio.org.

Click here to view the results
last years showcase

Showcase Coordinator:
Monica Ann Mason, Visionary Marketing Consultants, has been selected to coordinate the
2008 College Tech Prep Showcase. Should you have any questions, please contact her via phone at:
Phone: 440-243-5668 ext 239 or 216-288-7413
Email: MonicaMason@adelphia.net or mmason@generationshcm.com