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"Continuing the Journey to Excellence"
Career and Technology Education Information Sessions
November 10, 2009 For 8th Grade Parents and Students
November 19, 2009 For 9th and 10th Grade Parents and Students
January 7, 2010 For All Parents and Students
2008-2009 Year in Review
Skills USA MD
ARL students competed in the SkillsUSA MD State Championship on Saturday,
March 21, 2009
Josh Bencivenga placed 2nd in 3-D Visualization and Animation
Michael Charles placed 2nd in 3-D Visualization and Animation
Instructor: George Hopkins
Michelle Schienle placed 2nd in Advertising Design
Instructor: Ray Lee
Frank Salah placed 1st in Computer Maintenance Technology
Instructor: Vipul Savalia
Steven Kleck competed in Internetworking
Instructor: William Beydler
Alex Bob placed 3rd in First Aid/CPR
Instructor: Sonja Meehan
James Coffey competed in Automotive Technology
Instructor: Jerry Burns
Allied Health Academy
Allied Health students completed the American Heart Association's healthcare
provider course with a 99% pass rate.
Cerified Nursing Assistant Academy
Stdents had an opportunity to interact with a different age group when they visited Cedar
Lane School. They had previously visited long term care elderly clients. Students also
visited Howard County Hospital and St. Agnes Hospital where they toured the emergency
departments, neonatal intensive care units, medical-surgical intensive care units, a
stepdown unit, and a general medical/surgical unit.
Students are recieving first aid training. They will take a national examination to become
nationally certified in first aid.
Automotive Technology Academy
Students completed their large projects - rebuilt two engines and removed the dash panel
from a heater core. First year students are honing suspension and alignment skills.
Biotechnology Academy
Biotechnology I:
Students generated a protein in bacteria cells, purified the protein, and then measured the
concentration and purity of the protein. As part of this extensive unit they learned about using
bacteria as bioreactors to produce pharmaceuticals and about genetically modified foods.
Issues of genetic modification of the food supply were also discussed, as well as, the role and
responsibilities of researchers to care and manage the environment in which they work. Link
about genetically modified food:
DNA Day, April 24th: Ms. Kelly, one of our teachers, and a former genetic counselor, held a mock
genetic counseling session. Students observed how patient information and family history can be
used to provide a patient with predictive information.
On-Campus Biotechnology II:
Students isolated, sequenced, and analyzed gapC, a gene for a protein involved in glycolysis,
photosynthesis and other essential functions across the plant and animal kingdoms. Students
selected two common plants to use a laboratory models in this research, Aluminum and Petunia.
The DNA sequence of the gapC gene will be published to GenBank. GenBank is an online database
used by researchers world-wide to obtain sequence information on DNA, RNA, and proteins.
Work-site Biotechnology II:
His work evaluates the current FDA assumption that effects of chemical exposures in a complex
mixture can be approximated by adding the effects of individual chemical components. His poster
presentation was titled “Interactive Effects Between Binary Mixtures of Elastomer Extracts". Ian
conducted his research in the lab of Ronald Brown at the FDA.
Shawn Mathews participated in the regional science fair presenting his work with Dr. Feng Chen
from the Center Of Marine Biology on algae that may be used to produce a biodeisel. Shawns work
focused on optimizing the staining of lipids in the algae so that scientists can monitor the quanitity of
lipids produced in different growing conditions.
Biology I: Students studied proteins, production of pharmaceutical proteins and genetically modified foods.
Biology II On Campus: Students sequenced plant genes and worked towards publishing in a world-wide
database.
Biology II Work site: Students completed research. Two students presented their work, one in a regional
science fair and one to a national meeting of toxicologists.
Camilo Vanegas, a 2008 Biotechnology Career Academy graduate, presented "Identification
of a Mutator Gene in Bacteriovax Marinus SJ" to the Advancing the Science of Limnology and
Oceanography Aquatic Sciences meeting in Nice, France. Vanegas worked with ARL bio-
technology teacher Cindy Kelly and Dr. Silvia Pineiro of the University of Maryland School of
Medicine. They studied unusual bacteria that consume other bacteria for food, which may
play a part in the microbial ecosystem. Scientists have suggested using this or similar
bacteria as a live antibiotic. Vanegas is continuing his biology research at the University of
Maryland College Park.
Certified Nursing Assistant Academy
Students began their state required weekend clinical experience in a nursing rehabilitation
facility. They will complete six eight-hour days. They provide total patient care which
includes feeding, taking vital signs, bathing and interacting with both residents and their
family members.
Computer Networking Academy
Seniors connected several routers and other devices together to observe how
a network works. They are also working on a wireless network project to under-
stand wireless routing.
One senior spends afternoons at NSA as an intern. He is following the Cisco
networking curriculum on his own to be eligible to sit for the CCNA certification
exam with his classmates.
Construction Technology Academy
The academy has been certified by NCCER (National Center for Construction Education
Research) and received national accreditation.
Teacher Workstation/Senior Diversity Project
PC Systems, Architecture and Construction Management Academy students organized
a forty station assembly line to assemble twenty teacher workstations. The core manage-
ment team analyzed the components of the unit and devised a mass production technique
so seniors from all academies could participate. Visual Communications students took video
and still shots of the process.
The core management team processed two units to test the assembly line. The assembly
line testing and revision took two days and five hours. Students from all programs were then
trained. Within two hours, eighteen workstations were assembled, the assembly line cleaned,
and workstationsstored. Teachers Robert Leiby, Robert Hodge and Vipul Savalia assisted the
students.
11th Grade Home Project
On April 14th students began mixing mortar and laying block for the construction of a full scale split-level
home including bay-window and stairwell. Their goal is to complete the roof framing by June 15th.
The project affords students the opportunity to simulate construction and construction management
skills learned during the year. All students assume supervisory roles in various phases of construction.
Student supervisors must complete a master schedule and a daily assignment for members of their
team. The entire project is supervised by a student project manager who is responsible for quality control,
material use, and communication among teams. Parents are invited to observe the construction process.
Compound Laser Miter Saw Table Extension
Seniors Thomas Evans, Michael Hradsky and Kevin Hasch designed and constructed miter saw extension
tables for the compound laser miter saw. Students determined that using a new 3/4 inch plastic PVC
material would allow lumber to be more accurately cut, would outlast wood and would not warp. The
finished product was of superior design and cabinet maker quality.
Salad Tables
In conjunction with the Howard County Office on Aging, seniors from Construction Management and PC Systems
Academies constructed three salad tables for the Bain Senior Center in Harper's Choice. The tables are waist
high and portable. They will be used for planting vegetables and flowers.
Red Oak Floor Liner and Benches
Seniors Thomas Evans, Michael Hradsky and Kevin Hasch worked with "high end" red oak in the construction
of a floor liner for a collector's historic service vehicle. Students were challenged to duplicate the old liner. The
project required drilling and installing 120 2" X 3/8" carriage bolts. Students created templates and jigs to overcome
design problems and maintain high quality. The project was finished with hand-rubbed Danish oil.
Energy, Power and Transportation Academy
Senior, Brendan Fennessy, published an article on his Junior year EPT
experience in the Nov/Dec 2008 issue of Techniques, the Journal of the
Association for Career and Technical Education.
Juniors have researched and designed an Electrathon Race Car. This single person
24 volt vehicle will be tested for overall distance traveled on a single charge of two batteries.
The class has selected a winning concept design, made modifications, and finalized
drawings. Students are now preparing to fabricate the vehicle. To facilitate this process
the class has created an online wiki page for communication. The following subsystem
teams were established to improve organization: Power, Control, Composite Shell, and
Frame. Team Leaders are Jay Kuvelker (Project Leader), Chris Harris (Assistant Team
Leader), A.J. Lagana (Power), Safi Iqbal (Control), Ted Myers (Composite Shell), and Nick
Pisciotta (Frame).
Seniors have all had successful evaluations from mentors at local engineering
firms.
Academy of Finance
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's fall 2008 National Financial Literacy Challenge was
taken by more than 75,000 high school students. Congratulations goes to the following
Academy of Finance students who scored in the top 25th percentile of the nation's scores.
- OLUSEUN J. AJAYI
- MICHAELA CAIZZI
- RYAN C. CAVANAUGH
- PRATIK DIXIT
- VINCENT LAU
- VIR MIRCHANDANI
- NIKHIL K. SINHA
- MARK WANG
Hotel and Restaurant Management Academy
For the fifth consecutive year, the culinary team from the ARL Hotel and Restaurant Management
Academy took first place in the Maryland Culinary and Management Competitions held at Martin's
Crosswinds in Greenbelt.
The culinary team created a three-course meal from scratch in 60 minutes using only two butane
burners and no electric refrigeration or tools. Their menu consisted of:
Appetizer: Shellfish Gateau - Lobster, Shrimp, Crab, Scallops, and Aromatics with Micro Greens,
Champagne Vinaigrette and Grain Mustard Sauce Poisson.
Entree: Whole Chicken Wing stuffed with Dried Apricot Mousseline, Prosciutto wrapped Chicken breast
with Fresh Mozzarella and Sundried Tomato;Saffron Risotto and fresh Asparagus.
Dessert: Banana Chocolate Bavarian encased in gold-edged chocolate ribbon and served with
Raspberry Coulis.
ARL students competed against 19 other high schools from across the state, including inter-county
challenger Oakland Mills High, in the culinary competition.
Additionally, the ARL Management Team placed second in the Management Competition. This team
competed against 12 other Maryland schools in two separate events; a knowledge bowl and a case
study which involved solving several problems occurring in a restaurant setting on any given day.
The team won high praises from competition judges for their insight and thoroughness in resolving issues.
First Place Culinary Team
Howard County ARL Hotel and Restaurant Management Academy
Teacher: Elaine Heilman
Kara Lovalvo - home school, Centennial High - Team Captain
Alex Morris - home school, Mt. Hebron High
Eric Olean - home school, Mt. Hebron High
Tyler Weedon - home school, Mt. Hebron High
Richard Blackmon - home school, Hammond High - Alternate
Second Place Management Team
Howard County ARL Hotel and Restaurant Management Academy
Teacher: Elaine Heilman
Faith Smith - home school, Reservoir High - Team Captain
Jennifer Lash - home school, Marriotts Ridge High
Meredith Puppa - home school, Long Reach High
Hillary Walsh - home school, Glenelg High
Amber Young - home school, Reservoir High - Alternate
The culinary team was flown to the national competition in San Diego by the National Restaurant
Association Education Foundation's (RAMEF) Pro-Start Program to compete against 37 states,
Guam and Puerto Rico. Guy Fieri of The Food Network filmed the event. He will feature the
competition in two months on a Food Network episode. Our students may be featured in the
program. On May 4th the team was honored by the Howard County Council with honorary resolutions.
Principal, Mary Day, will present them with official citations from the Maryland General Assembly.
Special congratulations go to Kara Lovalvo who garnered a total scholarship package of $54,500 with
her competition winnings and hospitality industry awards.
Visual Communications Academy
Animation I and II students' work will be exhibited through May 26th at:
Miller Branch Library
9421 Frederick Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
As well as the Miller Library Display we also have students participating in the Innovative Concepts show
at the Columbia Art Center May 8th - 26th. On the site it's listed under Student Graphic Design Exhibition.
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