Observations from the NYSTEEA Conference

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The New York State Technology Engineering Education Association (NYSTEEA) had their annual conference over the past few days in Syracuse, NY.  I have been attending this event and the organizations’ Fall Conference in Oswego for the past fifteen years.  The shows have always been opportunities to discuss new technologies and product, develop new relationships and reacquaint ourselves with familiar faces.  Although the attendance at this and many other tech trade shows is not the same as the pre-Internet, pre-budget crunch days, conversations and networking still enable us to take the pulse of Tech Ed.

It’s always great to hear success stories from the schools, and this show was no exception.  There are always teachers who are happy to share their positive experiences from the classroom.  It makes what we do very gratifying.  One particular teacher explained how his classes were creating some fantastic, realistic architectural renderings in Autodesk Revit.  He pulled out his iPhone and proudly swiped through over a dozen drawings that at first glance appeared to have come from an architectural firm.  While he also learned the basics of Inventor from one of Studica’s past CAD Camps, he managed to teach himself Autodesk Maya on his own and with the help of Digital Tutors online instruction.  He was very pleased with the work his students were achieving, some of which do not have access to a computer at home.

Despite the difficulties and occasional stigma some Tech Ed departments have faced over the years, there are always pockets of brilliance.  If not for the passionate, hard work and dedication of these teachers, many of these students would never discover that they want to be an architect or an engineer or a game developer.  Software like Inventor, Maya, Revit and Unity 3D are simply the great tools that make it possible to connect great teachers with brilliant, creative young minds.

Author: Jeff Mazzone

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