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BASF’s TECH Academy Introduces High School Students to Technical Careers

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By: Anthony Locicero

Copy Editor, New York Post

Hamilton County High School students recently completed BASF’s TECH Academy – a weeklong educational and workforce development program hosted at Chattanooga State Community College in Tennessee. 
 
TECH Academy encourages students to learn more about technical and craft careers through experiments, demonstrations, field trips and dialogue with industry professionals.
 
“BASF’s TECH Academy creates great chemistry between participating Hamilton County school students, Chattanooga State and our local industry partners,” said Rob Gagliano, BASF site director in Chattanooga. “Our local manufacturing community opened their doors for the students to learn about craft careers and opportunities in the industry.”
 
Following morning classroom instruction at Chattanooga State, the students participated in afternoon field trips that reinforced skills needed in technical disciplines. They learned both soft skills to use in the workplace and technical skills through hands-on activities in plant operations, general engineering practices, 3D printing and more.
 
“Chattanooga State is proud to partner with BASF and area employers to help introduce students early to the possibilities for exciting technical and craft careers,” said Lisa Jackson, director of WACKER Institute at Chattanooga State. “Through TECH Academy, students are learning about the programs available at Chattanooga State and receiving real-world professional exposure through tours of companies in our region.”
 
Tours of area manufacturers and organizations included BASF’s site in Chattanooga as well as Roadtec, Gestamp, Westinghouse and Tennessee Valley Authority’s facilities.
 
TECH Academy is part of BASF’s STEM education and workforce development efforts in North America to support industry growth and investment in the region. The program is funded annually by BASF and is free for students. The application process is open to any local student going into their junior or senior year of high school with interest in technical careers.

The following students completed TECH Academy 2019:

Name

School

Christopher Boyd

East Ridge High School/PolyTech Academy

Angelo Cameron

The Howard School

Charles Decker

East Ridge High School/PolyTech Academy

Parker Davis

Hixson High School

Preston Davis

Hixson High School graduate

George Krich

Red Bank High School

Jonathan McPhetridge

Red Bank High School

Eric Moore

The Howard School/PolyTech Academy

Bryce Raper

Hixson High School

Nathaniel Slough

East Ridge High School/PolyTech Academy

Cassidy Yarborough

Hixson High School

Cora Yarborough

Hixson High School

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