Curriculum focuses on engineering

Industrial Technology instructor Bill Kuschel was spotlighted during the November 3 Waseca school board workshop. Kuschel, who began teaching the high school Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) program ten years ago, explained how his program (then called “Project Lead The Way”) has been transitioning into a larger entity requiring more classes–a challenge for a district Waseca’s size. Unable to accommodate “Lead the Way” requirements, Kuschel explained how the district has transitioned to a program offered through engineering corporation Siemens. “If you don’t know much about Siemens, it’s the number two largest corporation in the world, second only to Walmart,” Kuschel told board members. “They’re huge in the engineering field, as well as automation, medical, energy–all of these types of things.” 

Kuschel shared that Siemens corporation became connected with an educational curriculum: the two originators of Project Lead The Way had been pushed out through corporate changes. They brought their curriculum idea to Siemens; the corporation now offers a three-year curriculum free to public schools. “We need more engineers,” Kuschel stated. “Data that I’ve learned about and shared with my students–of the engineers [currently] in the United States, only 30% come from the United States.” Kuschel told the board that Siemens doesn’t charge for its in-depth curriculum because “they say we don’t need to charge for this. We need engineers. You guys [schools] have a platform to help us leverage that.” Siemens also offers grant money for equipment that the school may need to acquire, which Kuschel plans to apply for.

The first year (or part one) of the Siemens curriculum focuses on engineering and design; Kuschel has 38 students in two sections, higher than in previous years. The second year will center around principles of manufacturing and automation. The third year is called “Mechatronics and the Internet of Things.”

 “To me, this is very exciting. [The curriculum] ties in with our community, talking to Winegar’s, talking to Camp Automation, talking to Itron, talking to Cinch…there’s a need for the manufacturing industry, and automation, and I think this fits even better than what I was teaching before,” Kuschel said. “It is cutting edge. It is the stuff which everyone else is trying to strive for which gives our students opportunities to learn cutting-edge stuff–which I think is really cool.” Kuschel stated this program sets Waseca apart from other area schools. He told the board his own sons open-enrolled from the Faribault school district in order to take the Waseca engineering courses.

Kuschel praised the cross-curriculum abilities of the district, “I think we are doing a good job. We are really getting these kids prepared. If they’re hungry and they want to work—I won’t say it’s easy, but if they’re willing to work, we’re setting the table for some great opportunities and some great futures for these young people.”