THE TRADESMAN
| Volume 11 No. 2 | -- A NEWSPAPER by and for DIMAN STUDENTS -- | April, 2006 |
An Open House of Talent
Reports by Hina Naveed, Linda Batista, Douglas Thibault and Chris Gendreau
Tradesman Staff Writers
 |
 Better than your average cake - This Yogi Bear cake made quite an impression  Sophomore Rachel Cassidy, of Dental Assisting, displays some important oral hygiene information  Mr. Kertyzak shows some prospective students an electricity demonstration  Mr. Beaudoin showcases the Electronics/Machine Shop-built robot  Auto Body had many nice cars on display  Walking the line - Outside the auditorium, the public wore some glasses to simulate impaired vision. The LPN Program coordinated the demonstration to warn of the effects of drunk driving. |
At the Annual Open House Trade Fair in March, Diman Shops and Academics Showcased an array of displays and projects.
Culinary Arts had an unusual number of Elmo cakes. There was also a McDonald's cake which was very finely done, and had a great look. There were Disney character cakes such as Dora, Precious Moments, Tweety, Care Bears, and even Lilo and Stitch. With all the beautiful cakes, it was very hard to pick a favorite, but a very popular cake was a cake made to represent the twin towers, with a United States flag under it.
Auto Mechanics had a wide assortment of Trade's Fair projects ranging from complicated items such as suspension systems to more basic stuff like poster boards informing the public why a tire needs to be balanced and how a steering wheel works. There was a lot of effort put into the projects and the overall effect was great.
Auto Collision and Repair had on display refinished and repaired cars and motorcycles that looked that looked as though they had just been made. The Harley Davidson motorcycles and the Dartmouth police cars were so finely done that many parents were awed and surprised that the job was so professionally done. The freshmen in Auto Body had to do license plates for their trade's fair. There were many good ones, but the most ingenious one had to be of the one that had ICP written on it and two clowns drawn on it, this particular license won third place.
The Facilities Management Program had an interesting array of different projects on display. Most interesting was the solar powered heated cat house that was being built in the memory of the mayor's late wife.
Electronics Technology had an assortment of different projects on display including a replica of the Mars Lander. Mr. Beaudoin attracted quite a crowd as he was steering the new underwater robot that the Electronics Shop and the Machine Shop teamed up to construct. The robot earlier this year garnered an award.
Office Technology's projects were very in-depth and it was amazing how much work the students put into them. A couple of examples are one in which they had to design a website and one where a PowerPoint presentation in which they had to promote a vacation. It also offered a sneak preview of next year's agenda.
Dental Assisting conducted an overall concept of teeth, and conducted a historical overview of the different diseases. Students of the shop displayed large multi-dimensional poster boards that offered advice on how to prevent cavities, gingivitis and other oral problems.
Health Careers freshmen conducted a history of health care. Sophomores conducted growth and development displays. Meanwhile, junior and seniors showcased the anatomy of the body. These students also showcased eye-catching displays.
Drafting proved that every major project needs a design phase. Freshmen drew items such as motor switch levers, belt-tightening frames, and gear-shift brackets. Sophomores designed rods support, link and connector and chuck saws. The juniors made blue prints of houses such as electrical blue prints.
Graphic Arts showcased compact disc covers, business cards, Wine bottle labels, ads, and menus. It was amazing that all this was made by high school students.
Metal Fabrication and Welding was surrounded with projects done by their students. Some of the projects were heating ducts and many different types of welding examples. They were so good that one of their projects was actually awarded a special award.
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning had many examples of soldered pipes, many running machines which were put together by students, and complex items that cannot even be named by the average citizens. Also they were passing out snow cones and popcorn, which was an obvious hit.
General Shop displayed a chest/booth and tool boxes. It also designed metal stars and a wooden clock and a welding test. They also displayed metal trays, which are good storage bins. Shop Instructor Mr. Pereira, who has experience in many different trades, was all smiles are parents walking in and out of the shop.
House and Mill Carpentry displayed a kitchen from the Diman House, a VHS tape cabinet and two corner cabinets for Mr. Ciosek. The shop also displayed a Power Point presentation of the corner cabinets. Visitors of the shop also hear stories of a proud undertaking of the shop every year - construction of a home.
Electricity students displayed its intricate Fall River Celebrate America simulated ball drop. Making the entire city proud and teaming up with Graphic Arts, the shop displayed this computer-generated masterpiece in which the ball was sequenced to drop, flash lights and flash a "2006." Mr. Arruda said many students worked well together for the Open House projects and showed how competent they were with independently designing projects.
Precision Machining was well attended at the Open House. All shop teachers took on a major project with their students. Mr. Avilla and his students did an excellent job with a space industry airplane and robot. Mr. Oliveira and his students did a nice job with center punchers and a rail set. Mr. Bernat and his students did an excellent job with steam engines.
Plumbing constructed an array of projects ranging from basic to state-of-the art. Students were doing fire sprinkler demonstrations and juniors/seniors displayed residential water heaters.
The Licensed Practical Nursing program gave the public and informative health overview. The shop was quite a hit outside the auditorium where people were walking with a swagger and sometimes losing balance. Aided by two police officers, people were wearing glasses that simulate the walk of someone under the influence of alcohol. Members of the shop helped communicate an important message - do not drink and drive.
Honorable Mention: The Science Department in the first floor B-Wing wowed prospective Diman students, parents and everybody else with electricity displays. Physics teacher Mr. Kertyzak was often spotted spinning a wheel and giving students a lesson on electricity.
