Computer Graphics and Design instructor Colette Marie McLaughlin has a little something extra to offer her students at Gavilan College this fall after finishing up her summer fellowship at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Sunnyvale.
McLaughlin was among 152 Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education’s educators who spent their summer vacations learning firsthand how the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts they teach in the classroom are applied in cutting edge industries.
“I cannot imagine a more productive summer than spending time with dedicated educators and knowledgeable mentors developing strategies to better engage students when teaching complex concepts,” she explained. “I learned much about solar technologies and systems from exceptionally qualified engineers, technicians, inspectors and other Lockheed Martin professionals.”
As the head of Gavilan’s Computer Graphic and Design department, McLaughlin plans to enhance her environmental design courses with a unit that features Hubble’s solar arrays as a “hook” for introducing students to the design of solar panels for their residential design projects.
“The fellowship also reinforced my passion for Career Technology Education,” McLaughlin said. “CTE develops interdisciplinary applied technology skills because it requires students to apply academics while gaining technical skills required for success in high-skilled, high-demand jobs.”
All of the IISME fellows spent most of their summer completing equally useful specialized projects for 43 high-tech sponsoring organizations, while simultaneously developing innovative coursework.
Lockheed Martin has hosted a total of 374 fellows since IISME’s inception 29 years ago.
“We’re gratified when we help teachers transfer the lessons learned back into the classroom to better prepare their students to become our next-generation of scientists and engineers,” said Vice President Kevin Bilger of Lockheed Martin.
With the use of project-based activities, McLaughlin, entering her sixth year at Gavilan this fall, hopes to equip students with applied technology skills to enter fields of graphic design, architecture, engineering and other careers that design, engineer, manufacture, and market real and/or virtual products.
McLaughlin was also awarded a presentation poster of herself, working in Lockheed Martin high-tech manufacturing as part of a prize for taking third place in IISME’s photo contest. The poster showcases photos she provided of mentors helping her understand manufacturing processes needed for her project, which was to produce training videos for technicians.
At Gavilan, McLaughlin’s courses provide career and transfer options, incorporate theories and principles to support design, including instruction on SolidWorks, Adobe Design Suite, BIM and/or other commonly used computer graphics applications.
