Panasonic Creative Design Challenge at NJIT (April 12th) For the first time in school history, High Point has captured the elusive Panasonic Design Challenge Championship, defeating the three time defending champion Delbarton. Diego Cantillano, Austin Haggerty, and Michael Jansen committed almost 6 months to the design and development of a mechanical/eletronic system for fire rescue. Their efforts included the completion of over 100 pages of written documentation, a 5 page report, and a 15 minute presentation to panel of professional engineers, professors, and communication experts. This unprecedented achievement earned them $5000 each in scholarship money and a free Panasonic camera! (Official Press Release Here)

TSA State Conference at TCNJ (April 6th): Over 50 High Point Technology students participated in the annual TSA State Conference, where they competed in a range of events including Architectural Model, CAD 2D Architecture, Flight Endurance, VEX Robotics, and Animatronics.  Remarkably, 34 finished in first, second, or third place, therefore qualifying for participation in the 2011 National TSA Conference in Dallas, Texas!!   Over 20 students are ready to take the plunge, sacrificing part of their summer vacation to represent our school on the national stage in June!!

The Edison Invention Challenge at NJIT (March 26th): Four students (Bryan Szollosi, Dylan McHugh, Damon Wilson, Patrick Scott) finished in third place at the First Annual Edison Invention Challenge by designing and developing a hydrogen fuel cell charging station for Marine Transportation vehicles.   Their efforts resulted in a $200 grant for the school, over $200 in donated supplies, and funding for a free field trip to a PSE&G Alternative Energy Facility in New Jersey.

NJIT Dean’s Design Competition at NJIT (March 23rd): The College of Architecture and Design at NJIT held its first annual Dean’s Design Competition for New Jersey high school architectural design students.  Students had to design an interactive exhibit that could be used in a museum or shopping mall to educate visitors on how to save the environment, inspired by the four Greek Elements of the Earth.   Stephanie Peterson, Alyssa Smith, Alexis Brennan, Aleksasha Wannemacher, Chris Gilmore, and Brandon Werner participated in the challenge.  Alexis Brennan received third place for her work and will participate in a summer Architecture program at NJIT.  Alyssa, Chris, and Brandon received honorable mention recognition.

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The articles on this page were written by Mike Jansen and Diego Cantillano.

Science

Microbiologist

Nuclear Physicist

Technology

Architect

Robotics Technitian

Engineering

Civil Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mathematics

Math Teacher

Actuary

Science: Microbiologist

Microbiologists are biological scientists who mainly work for universities studying in all of the kingdoms of life ranging from viruses to the microscopic organisms. These specialized scientists use an array of tools to conduct their work; some of which include light microscopes, electron microscopes, centrifuges, glass tubes, slides, and computers. Several areas in which a microbiologist can expand in are as follows:

• research about the life process common to microbes (how food and oxygen are used in cells)
• medicine (study relationships between diseases and microorganisms and study disease growth)
• immunologists (how the body’s defense responses react to microorganisms)
• agriculture (study how plants are effected by microorganisms)
• marine (finding routes to stunt the growth of dangerous bacteria in our rivers and oceans)
• industry (varying industries have microbiologists working with food processing, drugs and chemicals)

Microbiologists work in our public heath areas to fight against food poisoning, pollution of water and air, and spread of disease.

Prerequisites

A doctoral degree earns the most

With a bachelors degree room for advancement is slim but will include jobs in the field

Masters have much more room to expand into a more spacious environment

upwards of 8 years studying will land a doctoral degree which is the highest

Compensation

varies depending on years of study

$54,840-$80,798 per year on average

Opinion

I feel Microbiologists are one of the few that are not noticed by our society. The research they complete directly applies in our world today. They are behind the scenes testing and analyzing our food, our wildlife, our medicine. Microbiologist do the hard work needed for everyone to live in a clean and safe world.

Citations: Microbiologist Job Description, Career as a Microbiologist, Salary, Employment – Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job. Article by Mike Jansen.

Science: Nuclear Physicist

As defined by Webster’s dictionary, a Nuclear Physicist is “the branch of physics that deals with the behavior, structure, and component parts of atomic nuclei”. Physicists study the fundamental properties of the natural world and apply the knowledge gained to design new technologies. In some cases one area of a physicist included theoretical subjects including origin of the universe or nature of time. Practical areas for Nuclear physicists contain development for medicine, advanced materials, and nuclear reactors. Working in a unique and one of a kind technology these physicists gain knowledge about the smallest most structure in the universe.

Prerequisites

A Ph.D. degree in physics or closely related fields is typically required for research positions

Additional experience and training in a postdoctoral research appointment

Mathematical ability, problem-solving and analytical skills, an inquisitive mind, imagination, and initiative are a major key when beginning a carrer in nuclear physics.

Compensation

average near $118,971

Opinion

Nuclear Physics is defiantly a complicated job choice. But with great passion and love for such a career comes great rewards. These physicists’ careers are important to our world as a whole because exploring everything we can will bring about great new and miraculous technologies in our futures. Technology satisfies human wants and needs, physicists are here to help us towards that goal.

Citations: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm. Article by Mike Jansen.

Technology: Architect

Architects specialize in areas including housing, schools, or hospitals and specializing in one aspect of the building process. Families, businesses and communities often use individual or teams of architects to create a specific design that is enjoyable for the client at hand. Architects must abide by the wishes of the client to follow their needs and desires. To gain the full amount of benefits from the industry, architects must have strong communication skills and major technical ability. Working under constricted time frames and high stress environments, and architect needs to be able to withstand the pressure and excel in this specific environment.

Prerequisites

professional 5 year bachelors degree

bachelors degree paired with a 2 year matsers

work experience gained though working under internships

passing the Architect Registration Exam

Compensation

depending on area of work salary ranges from $73,650 to $94,110

Opinion

With many new projects and ideas clients want and have, architects are needed to complete the job with fine precision. Using their sharpened and honed skills, Architects make the most out of any situation giving their client the best possible way to maximize their ideas. Without the architect career we would not see any of the new building design technologies seen in places such as Dubai. Careers such as this are the only way to expand our horizon on design technology and coming closer to a better solution for tomorrow.

Citations: CollegeGrad.com. Article by Mike Jansen.

Technology: Robotics Technician

Robotics, or flexible automation, is the technology involving the design, maintenance, and use of robots. Working together as teams, robotics technicians work to design machines for replacing a living being in situations. Technicians work in the assistance of manufacturing, development, testing, operations, and production. Depending on place of employment, technicians are around the robots most of the time. Either in the area of maintenance and repair program or in a robotics team working with other technical workers and intensely with engineers. With further education one’s career can excel to robotics trainers designing and maintaining robots while teaching other technicians along the way. Other can go along to be sales representatives or with even more specialized training work as an independent consultant.

Prerequisites (Applies to all jobs in the field)

high school education with strong history in science and mathematics

2 year associates degree in robot technology

Apprenticeship (appx 2 years to complete)

Compensation

depending on area of work $30,400 to $50,500 per year

Opinion

Robotics today seem to be everywhere from simple machine toys to complex engines in vehicles and aircraft. Technicians for these robots can only increase since our world is changing over to a more robotic future. Careers in robotics right now may seems to be a little bit low on the payout but the knowledge gained and experiences had, those are priceless and carry with you throughout life. With companies everywhere finding that machines make more profit than human labor, they will undoubtedly need servicing in the near future. This means a call for this specific career in on the rise. In our ever changing world, technology careers must match what’s going on around us, and that’s exactly what robotics technicians are needed for.

Citations: StateUniversity.com. Article by Mike Jansen.

Engineering: Civil Engineer

Engineers are considered an elite group of people who have mastered a specific area of the STEM world. An engineer by definition is “a person trained and skilled in the design, construction, and use of engines or machines…” There are several branches of engineering in contemporary society. It is often said that for everything that has ever been built, there was an engineer behind the project.

Civil Engineering is one of the most common forms of engineering. Dealing with the construction of bridges, roads, and other transportation projects, the men and women in this work force have to have a keen understanding of algebra, physics, arithmetic, geometry, statistics, and many other forms of mathematics. Civil engineers must have a practical understanding of the technological world around them in order to be successful in the field.

In 2000 the average annual earnings for Civil engineers was $55,740. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering is required to be a Civil engineer. Those personnel with a bachelor’s degree received an average of $40,616 a year and those with a PhD received an initial salary of $62,280 a year. In college, a person wanting to major in Civil engineering will go through four years of college. Education is split into two years for these engineers; two years in mathematics and two years in Engineering. Civil engineers are responsible for several other skills outside of the technology world. These engineers are leaders in construction and must show qualities of leadership, abilities to think on the spot, and be able to order others around in a proper and efficient manner.

Citations: http://dictionary.com, http://CareerPlanner.com, http://WorldWideLearn.com. Article by Diego Cantillano.

Engineering: Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers are a more in-depth engineering branch. Mechanical Engineers work with the mechanics behind machines and must have a practical understanding of how these machines work. Mechanical engineers must have knowledge in the following areas: Engineering and Technology, Mechanical functions, Design, Production and Processing, Mathematics, Administration and Management, and Computer/Electronics. Engineers in this branch must have problem solving skills in order to figure out and accomplish tasks in the least time possible. Mechanical engineers satisfy the needs of our society by using the understanding of tools and machines to design new technology and maximize efficiency of existing machines.

Compensation by Years of Experience

less than one – $48,000 – $60,000

one to four – $51,00 – $65,000

five to nine – $59,000 – $78,000

ten to ninteen – $64,000 – $90,000

twenty or more – $71,000 – $105,000

Education

4 – 5 years of schooling.

Bachelor of Science, Engineering, Technology, Applied Science.

Course in Drafting, Physics, Fluid dynamics, Material Processing, Statics, Dynamics…

Citations: CareerPlanner.com, PayScale.com. Article by Diego Cantillano.

Mathematics: Math Teacher

Math teachers are essential to society. They teach the youth of contemporary society the basis of Mathematics, which is the basis for all technological careers. There are many different branches of “Math” that a person can learn to teach. At the pre-middle school level, teachers are required to introduce the use of numbers to students and give a basis to simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. At the middle school level, geometry and algebra are introduced to students. At the High School level the teaching of Mathematics broadens to fields in Algebra, Physics, and Geometry. Teachers must have a desire to pass on information to the youth of society, they must understand several methods of communicating information effectively, and they must understand the growing Educational needs of our youth.

Education

Major in Mathematics and Minor in Education or Major in Education and Minor in Mathematics.

Compensation

average of $36,000 a year

Pay can vary on company, location, experience, and other factors.

Citations: About.com. Article by Diego Cantillano.

Mathematics: Actuary

An Actuary is a highly trained statician who calculates risks and probability. Actuaries are commonly hired by insurance companies who look to “weigh” factors that may affect their companies. Companies hire Actuaries to calculate the risks of changes or investments that a company may make. Actuaries not only calculate the risks in companies, but actuaries have an understanding of how to eliminate risks or minimize the impacts of changes to a company. An actuary may be hired to oversee a project and “crunch the numbers” behind the project in order to make sure that the benefit and vision of the company is intact.

Compensation

average – $90,000

salary can vary due to location, benefits, experience, and company.

Education Required

A bachelor degree in Statistics, Actuarial Science, Finance, Economics, and Business are some of the minimum requirements.

Citations: About.com. Article by Diego Cantillano.

For the first time since 2006, we earned a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, this time in Electronic Research and Experimentation.  This is the fourth consecutive year that we finished Top Ten in this event.

We also finished 4th in the United States in Agriculture and Biotechnology Design!

In addition to project success, Dan Rella, Julie Ryan, and Beth Ann Larson were recognized with Gold Achievement Awards for their dedicated service to TSA here at High Point and in New Jersey.

Congratulations to the 2009 High Point National Conference Team… on your professionalism, your dedication, and to your successes!

We are Proud of You!