Local high school gets new science lab

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - It was a big day in Oakwood as they christened a new education center, a place where teachers hope they can mold the minds of the next generation of engineers.

They used big scissors at the opening of Oakwood High Schools new Engineering Lab, because officials know they have a big job ahead of them.

Getting students excited about a career in science, technology, engineering and math.

Thats why over the summer they transformed their industrial arts room into a new 21st century engineering lab that encourages students to carve out a career in engineering with a focus on aeronautics.

General Christopher Bogdan, from the W.P.A.F.B. Aeuronautics System Division, says the need is great as last year the Peoples Republic of China graduated 500,000 engineers, India 200,000 and the United States just 70,000.

The result, thousands of good paying engineering jobs that are going unfilled each year by American citizens.

The lab is part of Project Lead the Way, a national pre-engineering curriculum based on partnerships with business and industry while students gain college credits, giving students the ability to dream it, design it and to create all in one lab.

"It's awesome here, we've got all these computers but back there we have our 3D printer which is going to be really fun to play with," said Oakwood junior, Chris Sneeder.