Students from the North Dakota State College of Science received a number of awards at the North Dakota SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, which was held at NDSCS in April. By achieving gold medals at the state level, 13 of these students qualified to compete in their respective categories at the national SkillsUSA Championships, which will be held in Louisville, Ky. in June.

The NDSCS students who received gold, silver or bronze medals at the state competition include:

NORTH DAKOTA
Bismarck: Morgan Berg, Welding, Silver; Charlie Jacobson, Welding Fabrication, Gold; Tanner Klein, Motorcycle Service Technology, Gold; Summer Peterson, Culinary Arts, Gold; Kolby Wetch, Diesel Equipment Technology, Gold
Dickinson: Jakob Ohl, Automotive Service Technology, Gold
Fargo: Dylan Erdmann, CNC Turning Specialist, Bronze; Bryan Sholts, Power Equipment Technology, Gold
Granville: Chase Brodehl, Plumbing, Gold
Jamestown: Dillon Bischoff, Diesel Equipment Technology, Silver; Nate Klose, HVAC, Silver; Jason Schulte, HVAC, Bronze
Lidgerwood: Daniel Novotny, Automotive Service Technology, Bronze
Mandan: Trae Bennett, Welding Fabrication, Gold
Rolette: Tanner Anderson, Diesel Equipment Technology, Bronze
South Heart: Oliver Kelly, Plumbing, Silver
Wahpeton: Drew Bajumpaa, HVAC, Gold
Williston: Steven Fixen, Electrical Construction Wiring, Gold

MINNESOTA
Barnesville: Jalen Plath, Power Equipment Technology, Silver; Tyler Stage, Power Equipment Technology, Bronze
East Grand Forks: Nick Jundt, Welding Fabrication, Gold
Fergus Falls: Jack Jacobs, Welding, Gold
Frazee: Ryan Roble, Electrical Construction Wiring, Silver
Hallock: Carson Thorsteinson, CNC Technician, Gold
Ortonville: Travis Kellen, Welding, Bronze

MONTANA
Glendive: David Rennie, Automotive Service Technology, Silver

WISCONSIN
Durand: Mike Burda, CNC Milling Specialist, Silver

Three students from the North Dakota State College of Science earned medals at the national SkillsUSA Championships this summer.

• Tanner Klein, a Powersports Technology student from Bismarck, N.D., earned a gold medal in the Power Equipment Technology category. This contest tested student skills in all areas of this technology, including two- and four-cycle engines and the related theories that go along with them, drive trains, hydraulics, wiring schematics and customer service.
• Chandler Rheault, a Welding Technology student from Fargo, N.D., secured a silver medal in the Welding Sculpture category. Welding Sculpture contestants demonstrate their ability to develop a design and produce a welding sculpture of that design, as well as deliver a presentation regarding all aspects of the design creation.
• John Heidt, a Precision Machining Technology student from Dickinson, N.D., received a bronze medal in the CNC Turning Specialist category. In this contest, contestants are assessed on their ability to write Computer Numeric Control (CNC) turning and milling programs, interpret prints, and measure/gage parts.

The SkillsUSA Championships took place as part of the SkillsUSA 54th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), a showcase of career and technical education students. During the week, more than 6,300 career and technical education students competed hands-on in 102 different trade, technical and leadership fields.

North Dakota State College of Science students now have the opportunity to receive advanced metrology training as part of their education, thanks to the installation of $1.5 million in equipment, and national training certification earned by Manufacturing department faculty.

The NDSCS Manufacturing department has installed metrology equipment that allows for automated measurement and inspection of manufactured products, as well as equipment for manual measurement training. The equipment includes:
• ZEISS DuraMax Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) with CALYPSO software and accessories
• Snap-on Starrett® NC3 precision measurement certification kit
• Haas Wireless Intuitive Probing System (WIPS)
• ZEISS, Phillips Precision and Rayco CMM tooling and metrology accessories

In addition to the new equipment, three NDSCS instructors have completed accredited coursework to earn certification through the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). The new metrology curriculum has been incorporated into the College’s manufacturing programs including Precision Machining Technology, Welding Technology, and Robotics, Automation and Mechatronics Technology. In addition, all students in transportation-related programs take a manufacturing course that uses this equipment in the study of metrology.

This training initiative was made possible thanks to $1.297 in donated CALYPSO software and a $100,000 equipment discount from ZEISS, a $22,000 equipment discount from Snap-on Starrett, and a $183,000 Workforce Enhancement Grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce.

“A big highlight of this initiative is the equipment that provides an automated method of inspecting manufactured products. This is a method that many ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certified manufacturers use,” said NDSCS Manufacturing Department Chair Steve Johnson. “At the same time, we also added equipment that allows advanced training in manual measurement methods.”

North Dakota State College of Science students recently earned top honors at the national SkillsUSA Championships.

Ryan Iverson, a Precision Machining Technology student from Grand Forks, N.D., earned a gold medal in the CNC Milling Specialist category. The CNC Milling Specialist contest evaluates preparation for employment in Computer Numeric Control Milling by assessing the ability to write CNC milling programs, interpret prints and measure/gage parts.

Ethan Fettig of Bismarck, N.D., and Chantel Hamann of Moorhead, Minn. each secured a bronze medal at the competition. Fettig, a Diesel Technology student, earned a bronze medal in the Diesel Equipment Technology category while Hamann, a Powersports Technology student, earned a bronze medal in the Power Equipment Technology category.

The SkillsUSA Championships were held in Louisville, Ky., in June during the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. More than 6,000 students competed for national recognition in the 52nd annual SkillsUSA Championships in 100 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as electronics, precision machining, public speaking and culinary arts. Contests tested competencies set by industry, and were run with the help of industry, trade associations and labor organizations.