Thank you, Mr. Butters: Letters from Delavan Darien High School Students

May 27, 2014

Thank you, Mr. Butters: Letters from Delavan Darien High School Students

Barry Butters, creative skills, Delavan Darien High School, Elkhorn, interview skills, Mike Reader, Precision Plus, presentations, Project Lead The Way, skills necessary to be hired, STEM, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On May 21, 2014, Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training at Precision Plus visited Delavan Darien High School to address Project Lead The Way students on the skills companies are looking for in new hires. These included critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as soft skills. Butters also made a presentation on the inventor and PartMaker software as it is used at Precision Plus Brad Pearson, an intern at the company came along to tell the students about his own experience at Precision Plus Following the presentation, Butters met one-on-one with the students to share some of the soft skills and strategies necessary for having a successful first job interview.

This presentation followed a meeting that Butters and Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus had with Delavan Darien High School educators and staff on May 15, 2014. Reader and Butters addressed the above-referenced “new hire” skills, which are sought after by manufacturers hiring around the country, as well as the important role that a solid background in Science, Technology, Math and Engineering (STEM) plays in this equation.

Shortly after the meeting with the students, Barry Butters received several letters from the students:

“Thank you so much Mr. Butters for making time for me and my peers to practice on when the time actually comes when we have to go through the actual processes of being interviewed…” Read this letter

“I was really nervous, but you were very friendly and I appreciate your time.” Read this letter

“Thanks for spending time to help me with my interview skills. I appreciate the advice.” Read this letter

“You pointed out a few things that can help me in the future, thanks.” Read this letter

“Thank you for taking your busy work schedule to interviewing me and trying to improve my skills…” Read this letter

Thank you students: Amy, Dylan, Kole, Tyler and Cristina!

Industry News

March 17, 2014

Celebrating STEM Education Week with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Wisconsin at the Capitol Rotunda

Elkhorn Area H.S., Exhibit, Madison, PLTW, Precision Plus, Proclamation, Project Lead The Way, STEM, STEM Education Week, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Precision Plus was thrilled to be a part of STEM Education Week, proclaimed by Wisconsin’s Gov. Scott Walker, and celebrated throughout Wisconsin from March 10 until March 15, 2014. This image is from an exhibit at Wisconsin’s Capitol’s Rotunda on March 14, 2014.

Photo courtesy of Elkhorn Area High School.

Over 50 middle schools and high schools were represented at this exhibit, where student showcased real-world solutions to problems that were achieved as a result of their involvement with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Wisconsin’s initiative, whose vision is “to ignite the spark of American ingenuity, creativity and imagination within all our students.”

Precision Plus’ Brad Pearson, Intern and
Barry Butters, Director of Education & Training

Indeed a great day for Wisconsin’s future leaders!

Community Involvement

March 10, 2014

Wisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker Proclaims March 10-15, 2014 “Celebration of STEM Education Week”

10-15, 2014, Celebration of Stem Education Week, education, Elkhorn, Gov. Scott Walter, March, PLTW, Precision Plus, Proclamation, Project Lead The Way, STEM, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

Education and manufacturing leaders throughout the State of Wisconsin, understand the importance that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) have on the future success of education.

Project Lead The Way Wisconsin (PLTW) is STEM-driven, state-wide organization, whose vision is “to ignite the spark of American ingenuity, creativity, and imagination within all our students.” Their mission statement reads: “PLTW’s mission is to ensure that America succeeds in the increasingly high-tech and high-skill global economy, by partnering with middle schools and high schools to prepare students to become the most innovative and productive in the world.”

Incessant work by PLTW leaders has put this organization at the forefront of education efforts. Many internship and apprenticeship programs (including Precision Plus’) require that prospective interns and apprentices have taken, at minimum, the PLTW’s course entitled “Introduction to Engineering Design.”

Barry Butters, Director of Education & Training at Precision Plus, adds: “We find that students who have gone through the class, come prepared for the internship experience, having learned problem-solving skills, and having had hands-on training on the Inventor 3D CAD Software program.”

Precision Plus is an active supporter of PLTW, and was recognized for their education intiatives during PLTW’s latest conference. Precision Plus congratulates all who participate in this movement on a well-deserved proclamation!

On March 14, 2014, Precision Plus will participate at the Capitol’s Rotunda in Madison alongside PLTW educators and students.

Educational Development

January 31, 2014

Beloit Memorial High School in Wisconsin at the Forefront of Technical Education

Barry Butters, Beloit Memorial High School, Career and Technical, community, contribution, Elkhart, Mike Reader, Precision Plus, Project Lead The Way, Ryan Rewey, STEM, Tammy Spoerk, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

On January 28, 2014, Barry Butters, Precision Plus’ Director of Education and Community Outreach and Mike Reader, President, presented a monetary contribution to Beloit Memorial High School’s Project Lead The Way (PLTW)’s Leader Tammy Spoerk, who teaches engineering and STEM classes at the school.

Both Mike Reader and Barry Butters were highly impressed with the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program and Curriculum at Beloit Memorial High School, which has been under the tutelage of Ryan Rewey, Director of Career & Technical Education, since June of 2013.

Following a facility tour on January 7^th, Barry Butters commended BMHS for their vision. Mike Reader added, “Barry and I have toured a lot of educational facilities, high schools, tech colleges, universities, and this is—by far—the best (CNC) training facility we have seen, hands down.”

The video below features Precision Plus’ presentation, and a detailed recap of BMSH’s Career and Technical Education program’s endeavors to the school’s Board of Directors.

Click here to see a short version of Mike Reader’s and Barry Butters’ presentation.

Precision Plus is proud to support the efforts of Beloit Memorial High School’s teachers and students.

Community Involvement

January 15, 2014

Precision Plus on the Move: Barry Butters Visits Area Schools

Michael Reader

As part of the continuing effort to bring attention to the manufacturing industry as a viable career option for today’s youth, Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, and other representatives from Precision Plus Inc. have been traveling to Wisconsin area high schools and technical colleges.

On November 1^st, Butters spent the day at Burlington High School’s Career Day Fair. The event allowed students to gather information from the booths of various prospective employers from a wide array of industries.

“It was evident from the discussions with the students, that there are still a number of misconceptions about manufacturing,” said Butters.

Butters then traveled three and a half hours to Eleva Strum High School on November 7^th. Technology Education teacher Craig Cegielski, has developed an operational manufacturing company run by the students within the school. The Eleva Strum staff, students and community were filled with pride about what their program has accomplished to date. Cegielski’s outstanding efforts bring real-life manufacturing experiences into his classroom.

Butters and Production Supervisor Charles Lankford, traveled to Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville on November 19^th. They took a tour of the CNC Machine Program facility and met with CNC Technician Instructor Rich Grossen. The entire manufacturing program at Blackhawk will be moving to a new facility in nearby Milton in the near future. The Advanced Manufacturing Training Center at Milton will result in larger capabilities for the program.

On November 26^th, both Barry Butters and Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus, traveled to Richmond-Burton High School to speak to an “Introduction to Business” class about the manufacturing industry. Mike shared the challenges of running a manufacturing business in the current economy, and Barry focused his remarks on employability skills.

Subsequently, Butters traveled to East Troy High School on December 1^st to speak to Mark Beilman’s “Introduction to Engineering” class about the manufacturing industry and specifically what is manufactured at Precision Plus Inc. East Troy is a first-year Project Lead the Way (or PLTW) school with just one-course offering. Beilman shared that East Troy High School plans to add an additional PLTW course each year. Precision Plus Inc. is a big supporter of the PLTW Program, which follows the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Initiative to promote the field of engineering. The PLTW curriculum strives to provide experiences to stimulate interest in the manufacturing industry.

Reader and Butters attended the State Project Lead the Way Conference in Pewaukee on December 9^th, for which Precision Plus is a “Friend of STEM” donor. At the conference, Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch addressed the state’s PLTW teachers, where she acknowledged the skills gap that companies, such as Precision Plus, are facing. It was encouraging to see the sheer number of high school educators working in conjunction with the PLTW program through the Milwaukee School of Engineering to stimulate interest in the youth of Wisconsin toward this field.

On January 7^th, Precision Plus representatives, President Mike Reader, Director of Sales and Engineering William Wells, Production Supervisor Tom Lankford, Director of Education, and Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, traveled with Elkhorn’s District Administrator Jason Tadlock and Assistant Principal Dan Kiel to tour Beloit Memorial High School’s Technical Education facility. What has been accomplished at this facility in a short period of time is remarkable. Steve McNeal, Beloit’s District Administrator, said it was truly a partnership between the school and local industry leaders. Beloit Memorial High School has also hired Ryan Rewey to be the Technology Education Coordinator to ensure the program’s success.

Butters again traveled back to Beloit Memorial High School to speak to PLTW teacher Tammy Spoerk’s classes on January 10^th. Butters message centered on the potential for a great career in the manufacturing industry and specifically, what is manufactured at Precision Plus

Butters went back to East Troy High School to speak at their Career Day on January 14^th. He and fellow manufacturer Jerry Heckel from Heckel Tool & Manufacturing Corporation gave a presentation to 40 students on the skill-set needed to join the manufacturing industry, including problem-solving skills, a significant background in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as experience in traditional metals classes.

Butters plans to visit Delavan-Darien High School and Woodstock High School in the near future. Mike Reader is committed to the cause of re-introducing the manufacturing industry to the next generation of professionals, dispelling the misconception that manufacturing is a dirty and dangerous profession. Precision Plus Inc. invites any individual or group interested in learning more about the manufacturing industry to their facility for an informational tour. Furthermore, Barry Butters and Mike Reader will travel to speak to any group interested in learning about the manufacturing industry. Feel free to contact them with any requests at 262.743.1700 or via email: Barry Butters – Mike Reader.

Community Involvement

September 30, 2013

Precision Plus of Elkhorn Wisconsin Sponsors the Elkhorn Technology and Engineering Club (E-TECH)

Michael Reader

A group of students from Elkhorn High School has established a club called the Elkhorn Technology and Engineering Club (E-TECH). The group’s officers include President Hunter Parks, Vice President Allan Russell, Director of Technology Alex Roberts, Secretary Maria Vigueras, and Treasurer Jessica Flock.

Officers of Elkhorn Area High School’s E-TECH Club visit Precision Plus

The mission of the club is to introduce Elkhorn Area School District youth–from kindergarten through high school–to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Their initial goal was to start a program within their school district where kids could learn about topics such as electronics, motion, and the engineering process through hands-on experiences, such as building robots and electronic devices and participating in competitions.

Their second emphasis was to empower the younger generation to invent and innovate in order to make a path towards a brighter future. Participation in the E-TECH Club fosters an interest in the math and science disciplines and promotes successful strategies for teamwork, problem solving, and sportsmanship.

The group competes in the First Lego League, First Tech Challenge, Gateway College’s Sumo Bot Competition, West Point Bridge Building Competition, and the Future City Project. The club is seeking sponsorship to expand the number of students able to participate in competitions and to expand their involvement to include elementary school students.

Members of the E-TECH Club meet with Mike Reader of Precision Plus and Gary Huss of Hudapack to discuss sponsorship.

At a meeting held at Precision Plus on July 19, 2013, the group met with Mike Reader of Precision Plus Inc. and Gary Huss from Hudapack to inform them of their mission and goals as well as to request sponsorship. Precision Plus and Hudapack both committed $500 as “Gold Sponsors” of the club. The students then took a tour of the Precision Plus facility.

Mike Reader resonated with the goals and aspirations of the students in the E-TECH Club. He added, “The students display great problem-solving skills combined with strong math and science backgrounds. These are the type of young individuals manufacturing needs. Exposing these great minds to the possibilities of manufacturing will certainly contribute to closing the gap.”

Elkhorn Area High School’s E-TECH Club tours
Precision Plus led by Mike Reader.

Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training at Precision Plus, has also committed to help supervise some of the club’s activities. Butters is a former teacher at Elkhorn High School, having taught advanced placement math courses including statistics and calculus, as well as Introduction to Engineering Design, a “Project Lead the Way” course.

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Tag : STEM