Over the years, FLATE has taken
an unprecedented role in recognizing the valuable contributions of industry
leaders and educators in refining manufacturing education throughout Florida.
These awardees have been in the frontline in terms of educating and training
skilled technicians to meet the workforce needs of Florida’s high-tech
manufacturers. Steve Portz, the FLATE 2012 Secondary Educator of the Year, is
one such individual who continues to affect positive changes.
Portz who is an instructor for
engineering technology at Space Coast High School has been teaching engineering
technology for the last 25 years. Portz is also the co-founder and lead instructor
of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Aerospace and Manufacturing)
Academy at Space Coast High School. Portz played a leading role in co-writing
the 2007 Florida Succeed Grant that lead to the establishment of an SLC
academy. He has also hosted several industrial lecture series and offered
summer camps with advanced topics in injection molding and composites, and
instituted SolidWorks training program for the CSWA achieving a significant
pass rate.
Most recently, through a grant
submitted by Portz, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Engineering
Technology program at Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School received a $5,000
Motorola STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in September
2012. Grants were awarded to 10 school districts in Florida, and targeted to
challenge Florida’s district-wide local education foundations to inspire
students through projects designed to help them solve real-world problems in
science, math, technology and engineering (STEM). The grant opportunity at
Space Coast High School (SCHS) was made available to STEM teachers by the
Brevard Schools Foundation through the Consortium of Florida Education
Foundations.
The scope of the project
involved, among several factors, a field trip to a manufacturing facility;
identification
of industrial “manufacturing processes” present at the
workplace; identifyng applications of STEM in these “processes”, purchase of
equipment and software to integrate academic content and industrial
applications; manufacturing a product using 3D parametric modeling software
(Solidworks), and using the product as an example to showcase applications and
integration of STEM disciplines in designing and producing a manufactured
piece. (Source: Brevard
Public Schools News Release). In an effort to give students a real-world,
hands-on experience and knowledge, Portz also struck a partnership with
Knight’s Armament a local manufacturer in Titusville to outline its role in
defining manufacturing expertise, offering in-kind equipment, materials, and
training support. The local industry tie-in has proved highly beneficial in
enhancing students’ understanding about high-tech manufacturing operations.
In addition to his involvement
with the Motorola Project, Portz was also recently awarded an Einstein
Fellowship
by the National Science Foundation. As part of this effort, Portz will be
joining a distinguished group of STEM educators from across the nation to
provide insight in establishing and operating STEM related education programs, and
providing “real world” perspectives to policy makers and program managers
developing or managing educational programs. (Source: Einstein Fellowship).
Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE says student success is often
the result of great teachers working with great industry partners. To that
effect, “Steve’s contributions to manufacturing education are exceptional and representative
of educators across Florida,” Barger said.
You can help FLATE celebrate
Florida educators who are making a difference in manufacturing education in
your community by submitting a nomination at www.fl-ate.org/awards, or by emailing
Executive Director, Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org.
For information on the projects related to the Motorola education grant at SCHS
visit http://scvipers.brevardschools.org/default.aspx, or contact Steve Portz
at portz.steve@brevardschools.org.
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