Robots, Fire Trucks, and Culinary Arts: Vincennes University's Techmester gives high school students hands-on preview for careers

Throughout Vincennes University’s Techmester, nearly 100 rising high school juniors and seniors from across Indiana explored career pathways, from cooking Spanish cuisine such as paella in lab kitchens to putting out controlled live fire with extinguishers to programming robots in a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing lab to taking a ride through Vincennes on the VU fire truck training vehicle.

Guided by VU faculty and industry professionals, the campers tackled collaborative, real-world projects and activities such as practicing defensive tactics used by public safety officials, gaining hands-on experience in pharmaceutical compounding by measuring and encapsulating customized ‘pills’ using sprinkles, and using goggles and other technologies to simulate an earthquake in preparation of a disaster drill that showed how nurses and other health professionals track and care for victims during a natural disaster.

VU Career and Technical Early College Dean Stefany Deckard said, “Techmester empowers high school students to take ownership of their futures. By immersing these rising juniors and seniors in real-world career exploration, alongside our expert faculty, VU is providing them with a glimpse into college life and the modern workforce. Giving them the chance to test their potential through intensive, high-impact activities provides them with a competitive edge.”

Techmester, held June 15-17 on the Vincennes Campus, provided 25 hours of work-based learning experiences plus featured activities such as scuba demonstrations conducted by a pair of Conservation Law Enforcement officers and drone demos. 

The activities highlighted career opportunities in Health Sciences, Culinary Arts, Business, Robotics and Automation, Precision Machining, and Public Safety.

Stoking a Passion for Public Service

Franklin Central High School rising senior Jaydis Sordelet dreams of becoming a firefighter and EMT, which is why attending Techmester was a definite must.

“I really wanted to see the Fire Science program,” Sordelet said. “I wanted to ask more questions. Things the internet wouldn’t give me.”

Sordelet and the many other students exploring careers in Public Safety were immersed in many hands-on activities related to Fire Science and Safety Technology, Conservation Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies.

Sordelet especially enjoyed navigating an obstacle course, which simulates firefighter skills such as hooking up a hose, placing a “person” on a medical backboard and moving them, shooting water from a hose, and using tools to carve out an escape route or create ventilation.

Machining Magnets

Rising junior Ryley Hedden was among several Princeton High School students who explored Precision Machining. He was excited about utilizing the cutting-edge equipment and computer technology in the VU labs to make a magnet.

“I really did get a kick out of programming and learning how to use the different software and the tool setups,” Hedden said. “I also enjoyed the food.”

Experiencing genuine campus life and forging meaningful connections at the Aquatic Center, Bowling Center, Tecumseh Dining Center, residence halls, and more were also part of the campers’ experience.

Techmester made it evident to Hedden that earning a college degree or certificate is necessary.

He said, “Manual machining is popular, but CNC is becoming more popular. I’m leaving here with a better understanding of CNC. I know I have to go to college to do any of this stuff.”

Hedden added, “My big takeaway is definitely go to college. especially if you are going into trades, because it will give you a better understanding. I could manually mill, but I could not

CNC. In the machining world, manual is OK for simple things. But to genuinely make a good, honest living where you’re comfortable, you’re going to have to know CNC.”