Tech Directions - December 2007 - (Page 2)

technically speaking Susanne Peckham susanne@techdirections.com Reminders of our nation’s shortage of skilled technicians keep popping up. As one example, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has just held a hearing on the domestic energy workforce that bemoans the critical—and growing—shortage of energy-related technical workers. (This occurring in spite of the fact that an electrical line technician, for example, has an annual base wage around $53,000 and can make up to $100,000 with overtime.) Pretty much everyone who testified at the hearing repeated the same story: Even as energy demand and infrastructure requirements will grow dramatically in the coming years, the workforce is aging rapidly—and younger workers are not stepping up. The possible consequences are alarming. Sen. Pete Domenici noted that nearly 500,000 people who work in the energy industry are expected to retire over the next 10 years. He added, “A turnover rate of nearly 50 percent could have a devastating impact on our economy. . . . [W]e need to be adding workers, not subtracting them. Workforce shortages could cause significant delays in the delivery of energy, including oil and gas.” A representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers blamed the situation in part on deregulation of the industry in the 1990s. Industry representatives pointed to the poor math and science skills of a badly educated workforce and called for increased funding for training programs and CTE schools. (Bravo to the industry for that!) But a key cause cited by most of those who testified is the sense that work as a line technician or welder or pipe-fitter is not considered “cool” anymore. That rings true to me. And it’s craziness that we run into time and time again. Most parents want their kids to complete four years of college and find a whitecollar job. That in spite of the fact that most jobs don’t— and in the foreseeable future won’t—require four years of college. In spite of the fact that many technical careers are very financially rewarding, are essential to the functioning of society and the economy, and will never be outsourced. At the hearing, Sen. Domenici said, “The key to meeting these challenges over the long term is through education and development of our young people.” And industry did call for more support for CTE. Good on both counts—but we also need a sea change in the attitudes of American parents and students alike regarding the value and rewards of technical work. P.S. A reminder from our Circulation Department: To continue to receive Tech Directions, you need to renew your subscription each year. Please do so now, if you have not renewed in the past 12 months. It’s easy to do at http://techdirections.com/subscribe.html ! Joseph Scarcella, Ph.D., Professor of Education, California State University, San Bernadino Mark S. Schwendau, M.S., Technology Instructor, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL Bert Siebold, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Industrial & Engineering Technology, Murray State University, KY Chris Zirkle, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, College of Education, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH Subscriptions: individuals: $30 per year; $55 two years; Canadian and foreign: add $10 per year. Canadian GST #R126213487. Single copies $3. Group rate for students in teacher-training institutions available upon request. Periodicals postage paid at Ann Arbor, MI, and additional mailing offices. Printed in U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address information to Tech Directions, PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623. Manuscripts should be addressed to: Editor, Tech Directions, PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623. Manuscripts become property of Tech Directions upon letter of acceptance to author and signed copyright release form. Payment made on publication. Electronic copies of back issues available from ProQuest Information and Learning, www.il.proquest.com. Microform copies available from NAPC, www.napubco.com ©2007 by Prakken Publications, Inc. A Prakken Publications Magazine Digital Tech Directions (ISSN 1940-3100) is published monthly, except June and July, by Prakken Publications, Inc., 832 Phoenix Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Executive, editorial, and advertising offices are at PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 481078623, telephone 734-975-2800; fax 734-975-2787. Vol. 67, No. 5. Board of Directors Turalee A. Barlow George F. Kennedy Janice E. Knope Susanne Peckham Publisher George F. Kennedy Assistant Publisher & Business Mgr. Turalee A. Barlow, tbarlow@techdirections.com Managing Editor Susanne Peckham, susanne@techdirections.com Associate Editor Pam Moore, pam@techdirections.com Art, Design, and Production Manager Sharon K. Miller Advertising Sales Representatives Tonya L. White, 800-5309673 x209, tonya@techdirections.com Richard J. Alden, 603-899-3010, fax: 603-899-2343. rjalden@ techdirections.com David A. Yetman, 603-878-4705;dyetman@techdirections.com Subscription Dept. Jan Bergey, jan@techdirections.com, 800-530-9673 x215 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Michael Fitzgerald, Technology Education Specialist, Office of Career and Technical Education, Indiana Dept. of Education, Indianapolis, IN Tom Frawley, Technology Education, G. Ray Bodley High School, Fulton, NY, and journal editor, New York State Technology Teacher Paul Koontz, President, Denford Inc., Medina, OH Ed Prevatt, School Specialist, National Center for Construction Education and Research, Gainesville, FL John Roccanova, Technology Education, Webutuck Central School, Amenia, NY Mark Schwendau, Technology Instructor, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL PEER REVIEW BOARD Gregory G. Belcher, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Technical Teacher Education, Pittsburg State University, KS Daniel M. Claiborne, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology, Murray State University, KY Sam Cotton, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Ball State University, Muncie, IN Ronald F. Gonzales, Ph.D., ASE, Program Chair, Technology Teacher Education Professor, Brigham Young University, UT Robert T. Howell, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Technology Studies, Fort Hays State University, KS Robert D. Mordini, Ed.D., Asst. Professor, Technology Studies, Fort Hays State University, KS Richard Phillips, Ed.D., Division Chair, Technologies Division, Mountain Empire Community College, VA 2 techdirections ◆ DECEMBER 2007 http://techdirections.com/subscribe.html http://www.il.proquest.com http://www.napubco.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - December 2007

Tech Directions - December 2007 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology Today Technology's Past Mastering Computers Is This Op-Amp Any Good? Lab-Built Checker Removes All Doubt Here Comes the Sun! Residential Solar Systems Add Up to Savings Pinhole Cameras—For Science, Art, and Fun! Poster Project Maps Out Design Process Gifts for Geeks E-gallery More than Fun

Tech Directions - December 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.