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Manufacturing, Robotics and Engineering

Is this the career pathway for you?

Are you interested in knowing how things work?
Are you a logical and creative person?
Are you a person who enjoys working with your hands?

Manufacturing, Robotics and Engineering at Woodville Tompkins combines hands-on projects with a rigorous curriculum to prepare students for the most challenging postsecondary engineering and technology programs. Automated manufacturing systems now use robots, computers, programmable logic controls, and optical and pressure sensing technologies in spotless production facilities and new skills are needed to support these new technologies. The automation of the modern manufacturing plant has created an exciting career path for people who can design (engineers), install (technicians), program (engineers and technologist), and maintain (technicians) these complex technological manufacturing and assembly systems.

Students will have the opportunity to explore the community’s industrial and technological resources, practice parliamentary procedures and democratic decision-making, and earn recognition for exemplary performance though our Work Base Learning Program and Internships.

Graduates in this pathway typically pursue postsecondary education at two-year or four-year colleges to prepare for engineering, engineering technology, and engineering technician-oriented positions. The demand for skilled engineers in the United States far outpaces the current supply, so the future looks bright for students who want to follow an engineering-related career.

In addition to classroom and laboratory experiences, Manufacturing, Robotics and Engineering students participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA). Technology Student Association promotes leadership skills, high standards of craft quality, scholarship, and safety.

Program Achievements

The Woodville-Tompkins Technical & Career High School offers the only advanced industrial robotics certification in the state and is being recognized for innovation in the classroom. The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG-Ed) announced the winners for the Second Annual STEM Education Awards at a special awards ceremony held in Savannah GA. The event marks the second year the association has recognized innovative practices in education. The awards were created to recognize and honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding effort and achievement in supporting and promoting STEM education in Georgia.

By offering the first certified advanced industrial robotics program in the state, Woodville Tompkins Technical and Career High School has raised the bar for what a high school manufacturing, robotics, and engineering program should look like. Through the FANUC CERT cart training program students are offered the opportunity to earn an industry recognized certification years ahead of their peers. FANUC is the world’s leading industrial robotics company and offer employment opportunities in every major manufacturing industry. The students who pass Woodville's certification exam are prepared for a 21st century career.

In the program students compete at five different conferences a year in over 40+ STEM related competitions through TSA (Technology Student Association), and participate in the much anticipated annual VEX Robotics competition. Hands-on, project based learning is a big part of the program as well. Students learn everything from advanced industrial robotics to 3D design software, and how to operate computer controlled cutting machines (CNC).

Opportunities in the Real World Design Challenge allow partnerships with industry professionals in the production of an extensive engineering design notebook covering an aeronautical engineering challenge. Students also learn how to use industry standard parametric design software and apply classroom concepts that call for the formation of a company within class, development of a product of their own original design, prototype design, mass production, packaging, marketing, and sales.

Manufacturing, Engineering, and Robotics teacher, Timothy Cone, offers the program at the Woodville-Tompkins technical & Career High School. In an interview with WSAV-TV he commented on the benefit of getting a head start in a chosen career field. “Through this certification we teach them everything from moving the robot, manipulating the robot, writing programs, writing codes, so once they get into the job they can perform every task they need to do," said Cone.