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March 20, 2014 - High School Students Practice STEM Applications at NASCAR Technical Institute’s Tech On Wheels Event

On Wednesday, February 19, NASCAR Technical Institute held a Tech On Wheels event for more than 65 North and South Carolina high school students at its Mooresville campus.  Students participating in the all-day event had the opportunity to explore how Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) principles are applied in the automotive industry. The event included hands-on activities that allowed students to discover the various computer technologies required to solve automotive diagnostics tests.

Students were divided into teams and rotated through four classes: STEM, Vehicle Emissions and Exhaust Gas Analyzer, the use of hand-held diagnostic systems in problem solving environments, and computer use in NASCAR race cars. These interactive workshops allowed students the hands-on experience to apply what they learned in a real-world setting.

Snap-On tools, a partner of NASCAR Technical Institute and Universal Technical Institute, provided an overview of the tools and equipment used in the automotive industry today, as well as how they apply the latest STEM technology in their careers. NASCAR Tech instructors also emphasized the high demand for qualified technicians in today’s automotive market and what students need to do in order to become successful auto and diesel technicians.

The transportation and motorsports industry is becoming more technology-based and reliant on computers and innovation. That said, the industry is currently experiencing a skills gap as there are not enough computer-savvy entry-level auto technicians available to fuel the demand for new cars.  Now more than ever, there is a need for highly-skilled, professionally trained auto technicians fluent in STEM principles in order to keep our country’s vehicles running.

“With so much discussion surrounding STEM education and its role in closing the skills gap, events such as Tech On Wheels are a great opportunity to get in front of our nation’s younger generation to encourage them to begin thinking about their careers early on and get them excited about learning how they can apply STEM principals to their coursework,” said Jennifer Waber, Campus President at NASCAR Technical Institute. “Especially for those aspiring to become automotive and diesel technicians, it’s a creative way to expose career-minded students to the plentiful career paths available to them.” 

NASCAR Tech’s Tech On Wheels event was sponsored by Universal Technical Institute, the Computer Science Teachers Association and Snap-On tools. Participating schools included Myers Park High School, Nations Ford High School, West Stanly High School, South Stanly High School and Ashbrook High School.

For more information on UTI’s NASCAR Tech campus in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, visit our website and stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.

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1) UTI cannot guarantee employment or salary.

2) For important information about the educational debt, earnings and completion rates of students who attended this program, and to review the applicable Gainful Employment disclosure, visit our website at www.uti.edu/disclosures.

5) UTI programs prepare graduates for careers in industries using the provided training, primarily as automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as a technician, such as: parts associate, service writer, fabricator, paint and paint prep, and shop owner/operator. UTI cannot guarantee employment or salary.

14) Incentive programs and employee eligibility are at the discretion of the employer and available at select locations. Special conditions may apply. Talk to potential employers to learn more about the programs available in your area. UTI cannot guarantee employment or salary.

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