RHS’ Project Lead the Way Engineering classes will receive new technology equipment in the upcoming months after being granted access to new Career Technical Education (CTE) funding.

PLTW Engineering teacher John Fuller documented his course curriculum, teaching standards and equipment and submitted them for the district to review. In late Oct., Fuller’s program of study was approved by the district, giving his classes access to CTE funding.

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 from working with the machines 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 while keeping track of what the schools in the Roseville Joint Union High School 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 require 1-2 days of training which 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 himself as well as other STEM-oriented students on their path to becoming engineers.

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