Luke’s interest in CTE runs in the family. His oldest sister participated in Pre-Engineering, and his siblings have explored other Mountain Institute CTED programs. For Luke, Robotics was a natural next step after gaining experience building, testing and working with electronic circuits.
In the one-year Robotics program, Luke is learning how to program and operate industrial-type robots, including using a teach pendant to control and program robotic movements. “I like electronics, and I’ve done almost all the E&I stuff. Robotics is kind of the next thing.”
Luke says one of the things he appreciates about the program is having an instructor who is both knowledgeable and personable. The experience is also helping him become comfortable learning different types of software — a skill he believes is important in robotics and engineering.
After high school, Luke hopes to pursue electrical engineering, and he sees Robotics as another opportunity to expand his understanding of electronics and their real-world applications. His advice to students considering Robotics or another CTE program? “I think they’re all great opportunities, and at the very least, you learn good skills that you can use.” And Luke has another piece of advice for anyone intimidated by unfamiliar technology:
“Just press buttons.” 
Sometimes the best way to learn is simply being willing to try.
Sometimes the best way to learn is simply being willing to try.