Page 4 - HIWT Fall 2015 World of Welding

Miller Brings a Wealth of Knowledge and New Technology to Massachusetts

As the class of 2015 crossed over the fnish line for our students This year Millers one day grass roots welding technology course for
this school year, their shop teachers traded places with them and welding vocational instructors, union apprenticeship teachers, and
became students themselves at this years Miller Welding one skilled welding craftsmen from around the state.
day conference. It was Millers approach for teaching welding
technology at a grass roots level. Topics covered were: welding fundamentals, basic welding
electricity, inverter technology, welding aluminum, and its aluminum
You see, each year, Massachusetts vocational and academic fller wires , shielding gases, basic metallurgy, and welding safety.
teachers gather at an annual Massachusetts Vocational The highlight was Millers new communized interactive welding
Association ( MVA) its a two day learning conference that is program, with both virtual reality computer welding as well as real
held at Blackstone Valley Technical Vocational High School, in hands-on welding by just switching a switch. Teachers and students
Upton, Massachusetts. This conference is an approach in keeping alike get to learn how to weld by computer as well as real hands-on
vocational teachers updated in new teaching techniques, exploring approach to welding. With this type of approach shop teachers can
new ways to enhance classroom and shop studies, and to share use this new technology for marketing new grade level students
with each other best practices that are tried and tested in class who might be deciding to choose welding as a career, as well as
rooms. using this program for friendly competitions within the shop grade
levels in who can obtain the highest score. Also, this program is
But most of all, its a conference for vocational teachers to make excellent for students who might be struggling and require a little
connections with each other and share what is working and what is more attending to welding fundamentals, such as travel angle,
not working in their programs. When ever you get welding teachers travel speed, arc length etc.
together you get a sense of high energy, strong passion, and a keen
interest in learning something new. This course was benefcial to each and every instructor who
walked away with a treasure trove of new and emerging welding
But the most import ingredient with welding teachers is lots of technologies that will enhance their programs, bring inverter
humor, yes humor, it goes a long way in vocational education, and welding machines into their shops, and bring their students welding
its what we all do and share with each other and our students skills to the next level. Our welding hats are off to Millers instructor
smile laugh, and create a cheerful atmosphere. MikeNovak and Charles Sarcia for sharing with us their passion for
welding.
After all, teaching welding is how shop teachers share their
own lifes work experiences, welding stories to capture students Several years ago, I attended Hobarts Welding instructors course
imaginations in building something out of metal. But above all, a and found a similar learning experience that Miller offered at
sense of humor, teaching, and welding, is all connected with people this years conference in Massachusetts , by welding teachers
who share and help each other get to the next level in the art of coming together and sharing their class room experiences and
welding. learning something new about welding, and above all, keeping
their teaching skills
fresh, expanding
their knowledge
base in the science
of welding, and
taking their own
welding programs
to the next level
by listening and
learning from
Hobarts passionate
instructors.

As welding
instructors from
around the country,
we are faced with
the ever changing
feld of welding
metals together,
some welding
techniques that

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