Woodworking students strut their stuff at the annual MITES Convention
and Exhibition. what's keeping public school woodshop programs vibrant
these days? In Michigan, the answer is MITES, the Michigan Industrial
and Technology Education Society. Established in 1928 by manual arts
teachers and now celebrating 80 continuous years of service, MITES is
an all-volunteer organization dedicated to supporting students and
teachers in industrial arts and technical education programs throughout
Michigan and northern Indiana. Currently, more than 600 teachers,
administrators, business associates, parents and interested citizens
are active members. The Society's mission is to recognize, encourage
and promote student achievement in the “applied arts,” as industrial
and technical education programs are often called. Applied arts
classes, such as woodshop, provide hands-on learning with tools,
materials, and processes that result in a finished prototype, project
or service. MITES primary goal is to motivate applied arts students to
excel—in the classroom, in their personal lives and in their careers.
Applied arts classes attract a wide variety of students and are
especially helpful for those that could potentially get lost between
the cracks in conventional “test driven” school programs. Teaching
students how to use tools and materials to complete a project is a
pragmatic approach to learning that provides them with real-world
applications of math, science and writing concepts. MITES members
believe that the process of building a project directly affects
academic achievement, because it helps students develop problem-solving
skills and understand abstract concepts. Completing a project develops
self-esteem and confidence, the basic ingredients to success in any
life pursuit.
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Awards are presented at five levels at the show, based on age and years
of experience. Thoughtful design and good craftsmanship appear at every
level.
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A Really Big Show
MITES has developed the perfect tool to motivate students and help them
to see possibilities beyond the classroom: a huge exhibition. Every
spring, over 10,000 applied arts students participate in regional
competitions, with the goal of “going to state,” and having their
project exhibited at the annual MITES convention. Students compete in
woodworking and ten other divisions, including, architectural drawing,
mechanical drawing, machine shop, graphic arts, electronics/electrical,
plastics, pattern making, wrought metal and applied technology. Up to
7000 individual projects are displayed at the convention. On-site
competitions in residential construction and automotive technology also
occur. The woodworking category is always a major part of the show,
providing hundreds of impressive pieces—furniture, clocks, decorative
turnings, boats, musical instruments—the list goes on and on. Projects
are judged using industry standards. Award winners are chosen at five
levels, based on age and years of experience in each category. In
addition, scholarships from MITES and from corporate sponsors are
awarded to graduating seniors and college students who are studying to
become shop teachers. The exhibition is a great place for students to
get recognition, see the work of other students, talk shop, discover
inspiration for future projects, and rub shoulders with educators and
industry representatives, to learn about the latest trends and tools.
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Conceptual projects stimulate imaginative thinking. By presenting
woodworking's breadth and diversity, the exhibition helps students look
beyond the classroom. |
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Members are Plugged In Effective communication is an essential part
of the organization. The MITES website, www.mites.cc, journal, and
periodic newsletters include discussions about individual programs and
teaching strategies, curriculum development and governmental trends in
education, as well as timely information about regional events and the
annual convention. Scores of MITES volunteers meet bi-monthly to
organize and present the regional and state conventions. MITES Plays
Politics MITES members are passionate about the value of educating
students of all ages through practical hands-on experience. That puts
them on the front lines of the battle to save applied arts programs in
schools. And for more than twenty years, MITES leaders and members have
played an active role, by working to inform legislators and the general
public about the growing body of evidence supporting the idea that
hands-on learning helps students learn how to think. And they've
succeeded! Due to their tireless efforts, industrial technology classes
are now included as part of the core curriculum in Michigan's new state
graduation requirements. In addition, MITES is partnering with the
Michigan Department of Education to develop standards for industrial
education. MITES involvement guarantees teachers a voice in the
process. MITES is also approved by the state to provide continuing
education credits for teachers. As a result, teachers can attend
MITES-sponsored classes at the state convention and earn credits toward
certification.
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Hunting bow projects allow teachers to present techniques such as
bent lamination to an entire class, while still allowing students to
express their individuality.
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For More Information:
Visit www.mites.cc or plan to attend MITES 81st annual convention, May
6-9, 2009 in Battle Creek, MI. To see “MITES?2000” a video that
describes MITES, interviews teachers and follows students and their
projects from the classroom through the convention, go to
www.americanwoodworker.com/mitesvideo.
Ron Lutz is a past president of MITES.
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