Curriculum & Instruction: NHS

Streeter Promotes VIP Club

Viking Industrial Productions

March 28, 2008

Viking Industrial Productions (VIP)

According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), an entrepreneurship-related student organization provides a point of connection for like-minded students and an important source of contacts and training.

Student-run groups not only fulfill the diverse interests and needs of tomorrow's entrepreneurs, but also can lead students to the resources needed to help launch their own new ventures.

Mr. Streeter, Industrial Arts teacher, wrote and received a $16,000 grant in order to do just this. Next year will be the starting year for Viking Industrial Production (VIP). With the help of the grant money an Epilog laser engraver was purchased and will be used as a start-up for the organization.

A laser engraver is used extensively in industry. It can also be very beneficial to a school system by allowing students to work with their hands and create products they can be proud to say they produced.

The possibilities that can be done with a laser engraving machine is only up to one’s imagination. Students can engrave their woodworking projects, create recognition plaques, mirror and glass etchings, and even start their own business.

A school business would involve producing, marketing and selling of products which in turn will provide these students with many talents that will stay with them as they graduate into our community.

When asked what he hopes to gain from this organization Mr. Streeter said, “Our hope is to strengthen the skills of our youth and involve them in a technological world here in Southeast Kansas.”