Local students explore industrial arts at NMU

MARQUETTE — Students from the Republic-Michigamme High School Industrial Arts department took an educational field trip to Northern Michigan University’s material testing lab.

During this field trip, tenth through twelve graders were given the opportunity to take steel samples and put them through different heat treating processes. These samples were then tested to see how they were affected by the different heat treating.

Due to the importance behind this field of study, Republic-Michigamme schools are currently working on adding more metals curriculum to their industrial arts program.

“I think the biggest take away for them is the exposure to the idea that this is a career for some people or that this is a science, and a whole field of study. Whether they go into that or not, I think its great exposure to something that affects our everyday lives which is how these materials are utilized,” said Industrial Arts Teacher, Matthew Barbercheck.

Although this was the first time these students visited the materials lab at NMU, Barbercheck is hopeful to have similar field trips in the future to give students more hands on experience with different metals and the equipment.