About Us
The Limestone County Career Technical Center offers students many great career development opportunities. In Pre-Engineering, students learn the engineering design process while participating in large scale projects. They design and prototype projects ranging from drones to robotic arms to real, innovative products used in local businesses. Through these projects, students learn how to form designs and then give presentations explaining their designs to college and industry leaders. They then use machines like laser engravers, 3D printers, and CNC machines to turn their designs into reality!
The Pre-Engineering department at the LCCTC consists of three course levels: Intro to Engineering, Programming, and Project Management. Because all three of these classes are in the same space at the same time, we are presented with a great opportunity: to create projects with job responsibilities that are dictated by your level of training. Each project has a healthy balance of first year, second year, and third year students. This creates an environment where each student has a role to play in the project dictated by what course they're in. The projets are designed in the fall semester and manufactured in the spring.
In "Intro to Engineering" students learn the basics of the Engineering Design Process. While participating in their class project, they learn how to make technical documents and presentations using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. They learn about systems and how to design in such a way as to account for any hazards and lower the risk associated with each. In semester two, they learn how to CAD using Solid Edge where they will make 3D representations of their project's design.
The second year students learn the basics of programming through an introduction using Python. Using Udemy as a learning tool, the students learn to code and program in Python. In the fall semester, while going through the Udemy course, they begin brainstorming with their project managers to come up with a rough "sketch" of what programming their projects will need. In the spring, they apply their knowledge and skills toward writing the actual programming code needed for their projects.
If a student has been in the class long enough to be a third year student, they become a project manager. Usually projects have two managers: one for programming and one for design. This is because a third year student may choose which area they wish to develop more: design and CAD or programming and circuitry. They are the main work-horse/brainpower of the project. As experienced students they run project meetings, help make design decisions, and ultimately have the final say in the direction of the project. In addition, they must also take on the added responsibility of keeping their team on track. They learn to manage the time and resources given to their team. They create gantt charts and regularly review them to ensure they stay on track.
The LCCTC Pre-Engineering class seeks to emulate a real world engineering work environment while teaching students skills that will aid them in becoming an effective engineer.
Post-Secondary opportunities for Engineering students include associate and bachelor degree programs at UAH, Calhoun Community College, and Wallace State Community College. Students can also use their credentials to go to work immediately building components and subsystems for engineering companies like Lockheed Martin.
Credentials/Certifications Offered
Solid Edge CAD Certification
MTA - Introduction to Programming using Python
Manufacturing Basic Skills by Lockheed Martin
Limestone County
Career Tech Center