J-Terms boost student knowledge of the 'real world'
01.29.10
Students at TVHS have learned in a variety of
settings during this year's J-Term project, from walking the halls
of a hospital with a physician to baking cakes under the tutelage of
a baker.
“The most interesting thing was being able to actually go to a
company and learn about the project instead of just reading about it
in a book,” said freshman Lucas Dowd. “I went to 1st Playable
Productions and they were really helpful. They treated me like an
adult, and were willing to help and guide me with my project.”
First Playable is a Troy-based game developer that has routinely
provided opportunities for TVHS students to learn real world skills
and how what students learn at TVHS is used in the world of
business.
Dowd was one of several TVHS students to report on successful
learning experiences during this year’s J-Terms.
“I learned quite a lot from (Don Harple, network security
professional), for instance FTP networking, how to un-encrypt
encrypted files, the different ports on a computer, and how simple
hacking truly is,” said Job Enders, who spent several days at the
North East Regional Information Center (NERIC) for his project.
Enders, who was at NERCIC for two days studying computer networking,
said FTP – File Transfer Protocol - is a virtual port where a host
operates a server that makes a network connection for a client.
While a number of J-terms expanded TVHS students’ knowledge of
technology, not all J-Terms were technologically focused.
Chelsea Schadewald spent a week in the studios of Albany
Broadcasting, home of The Edge 104.9, Fly 92.3 and Jamz 96 radio
stations.
While she learned the "ins and outs" of broadcasting, Schadewald also
went with station representatives to a concert of popular rock band Shinedown at the Washington Avenue
Armory in Albany.
“It was the coolest thing,” said the junior from Shenendehowa.
Junior Joe Coehlo spent a week with his physician-father at St.
Peter’s Hospital.
“I liked how I got to visit patients, with my father, and listen to
my father lecture to his residents about what is wrong with a
patient,” said Coehlo.
James Hazzard worked with a local baker in creating a two-foot by
45-inch cake for his J-Term project on making massive baked goods.
“It has been a lot of fun, but I have also learned a lot,” he said.
J-Terms are designed to enable individual interaction between
students and area professionals that help students gain a realistic
understanding of an industry or field of study that is practiced in
our region. The projects take between a week and three weeks for
students to complete and involve dozens of area professionals. The
work culminates with presentations by the students to their peers at
TVHS in early February. .
