This past summer, seven William Floyd High School students had the opportunity to participate in Stony Brook University’s inaugural “A Taste of the Trades” program, in which students were immersed in hands-on learning experiences designed to prepare them for careers in fields such as construction, clean-energy production and infrastructure development, along with introducing them to job opportunities supporting sustainability.
The curriculum was divided into three key areas – for two weeks, students delved into solar power and energy storage at Brookhaven National Laboratory, gaining insight into cutting-edge technologies that are essential to the future of sustainable energy.
They then spent another two weeks at Stony Brook University, where they explored offshore wind energy and the fundamentals of power-grid operations, critical components in the transition to cleaner energy sources. This portion culminated with a NYSERDA-led Offshore Wind Open House and Apprenticeship Event, where the students had the opportunity to speak to and network with future employers.
For the third part, students visited Suffolk County Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, where they learned about advanced manufacturing techniques, soldering, welding, and CVC machining, equipping them with skills that are in high demand across the region. Field trips during the final week visited program co-sponsor the Haugland Group’s headquarters and the National Grid Northport Power Plant.
At the end of the summer, student participants, who were paid $16 per hour for their participation in this program, along with district representatives and business leaders celebrated a graduation ceremony at Stony Brook University’s Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology. At this event, students had the opportunity to detail their experiences and received certificates marking the successful completion of the program.
DeMarco Campbell, a William Floyd High School junior, recapped his experience noting how his favorite part was the hands-on aspects and the opportunity to learn about welding. He also credits this program for introducing him to the underwater welding vocation, which he plans to pursue in the future.
William Floyd High School student participants included Aiden Burgos, DeMarco Campbell, Malaki Daniels, Ryan Hugo, Anthony McDonald, Jordyn Novotny and Raymond Ringgold III.
Special thanks to all who made this program possible including partners and collaborators at Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Suffolk County Community College, the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing, and Consumer Affairs, The Haugland Group LLC, New York Power Authority (NYPA), New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Orsted, Whymaker, and National Grid Offshore Wind.
Thank you also to Allison Wiegand, chairperson Career and Technical Education (CTE), William Floyd High School, and Robert Felicetta, assistant principal and CTE district site coordinator, William Floyd School District, for their execution of the program with the aforementioned partners, as well as advisor and CTE instructor Steven Rendino, for his dedicated efforts throughout the summer.