The Project Lead the Way Engineering class has been granted access to Career Technical Education (CTE) funding and will receive new technology equipment in the upcoming months.

PLTW Engineering teacher John Fuller documented his course curriculum, teaching standards and the equipment already in use in his classes and submitted them for the district to review. In late Oct., Fuller’s program of study was approved by the district which gives him access to CTE Funding such as C Tech grants.

With the grant money, Fuller hopes to purchase CNC machines, a laser engraver, an upgraded 3D scanner, and other high tech equipment for his students to use.

Fuller believes that the new machines will benefit students in his classes and hopes they will use the skills they learn in their future careers.

“It’s great because with access to those CNC machines, even if they don’t go to college, students right out of high school can on average make 50 grand a year just by using those machines and with the skills they get from working with them,” Fuller said.

To decide what new equipment would best fit his course, Fuller consulted fellow CTE instructors from Rocklin, Whitney and Lincoln High School as well as kept track of what the schools in the Roseville district are using.

“The things I’m purchasing are based on word of mouth and basically what I’ve learned from other instructors about what works well in the classroom,” Fuller said.

The new technology will arrive within 3-4 months and will require 1-2 days of training that Fuller will attend during school days to learn how to operate the machinery.

“I love hands on stuff and I love the trainings that come with it and hopefully I’ll be able to be able to pass on what I learn to my students,” Fuller said.

Fuller anticipates the positive impact he believes the machines will have on the student’s learning.

“It should be interesting to see how the kids enjoy working on the different types of machinery and hopefully they get some good valuable work skills from it,” Fuller said.

Senior Caden Ray believes the new technology additions will help him on his career path.

“Since I want to become an engineer it will be more helpful for students like me to gain experience,” Ray said.