Tech Directions- October 2008

contents October 2008 Vol. 68, No. 3 AUTOMOTIVE Inspires 13 Cobra Strikes! High-Performance CarJenkins Students, Markets Program By Bonita Technical college students learn by doing in a highly motivating activity: building a high-performance car. POWER AND ENERGY Gas Guzzler to Energy Producer— 16 FromAmazing Potential of Fuel Cell Cars The By Harry T. Roman Cars are actually rolling power plants that may help to redeﬁne how electricity is produced in the future. page 13 TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION 19 Off-the-Wall Project Brings Aerial Mapping Down to Earth By Andrew Davidhazy Technology educators can turn the technology of aerial mapping, photogrammetry, sideways and instead of “ﬂying” above terrain can simulate aerial photography in a classroom by turning it into a horizontal exercise. ELECTRONICS 24 Check That JFET! Easy-to-Build Tester Makes It Simple By Charles Harman With this handy checker, students can easily check JFETs at the protoboard stage. CAREER DIRECTIONS Semiconductor Processors—Operators and 22 Technicians By Pam Moore Everything students need to know about careers in the semiconductor processing industry—wages, responsibilities, skills needed, career advancement possibilities, and more. SPECIAL FEATURE Free Teacher Resources 27 Our annual guide to free resources that demonstrate and describe the most effective educational equipment and media for the technology and career and technical education ﬁelds. COLUMNS 4 Technically Speaking Susanne Peckham 10 Technology’s Past Dennis Karwatka 7 Direct from Washington Anne C. Lewis 11 Technology Today Alan Pierce 12 Mastering Computers Reid Goldsborough 8 The Report Susanne Peckham 30 More than Fun page 19 www.techdirections.com About the cover: High-achieving automotive technology students at South Carolina’s Piedmont Technical College work on the construction of their awardwinning, high-performance car. Photo courtesy of Bonita Jenkins. Cover design by Sharon K. Miller. CONTENTS 5 http://www.techdirections.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions- October 2008

Tech Directions Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The Report Technology's Past Technology Today Mastering Computers Automotive Power and Energy Technology Education Career Directions Electronics Special Feature More than fun

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