Students from Tyler High School and Boulter Middle School teamed up this year in a combined Principals of Manufacturing class taught by Mr. Michael Vowell, marking an exciting new step in career and technical education at Tyler ISD.
This innovative program is designed to engage more students in hands-on learning while sparking interest in the growing manufacturing industry. By bringing students from both campuses together, the course provides a collaborative environment where participants strengthen their understanding of measurements, shop safety, and basic tool use—all while learning from each other and building peer connections.
Inside the Tyler High School E Hall Lab, students gain experience in real-world manufacturing skills. One of their main fabrication projects involves welding two pieces of metal into a precise 45-degree angle, requiring them to measure, cut, clean, and prepare the material before welding. Students actively practice welding, grinding, and fabrication as they build confidence with industry-standard tools.
Students are also expanding their skills through additive manufacturing using 3D printers. They brainstorm real-world problems and generate creative design ideas, transforming their concepts into digital models using software tools. As part of the process, they prepare print files, learn the components of a 3D printer, start their own prints, and troubleshoot printing issues—skills essential in today’s advanced manufacturing environments.
“As a teacher, it’s inspiring to watch students from two different campuses come together and push each other to grow,” Vowell said. “They’re not just learning technical skills—they’re learning how to problem-solve, communicate, and work as a team. These are the traits that will make them successful no matter where they go in the manufacturing industry.”
At the end of the year, students will have the opportunity to continue into one of two career pathways: Welding or Manufacturing. Each offers valuable industry certifications. Welding students can earn NCCER Core and NCCER Welding I and II, while manufacturing students can pursue NCCER Core and SME Certification.
These pathways serve as direct gateways into Tyler’s manufacturing workforce, preparing students for high-demand roles such as welders, machine operators, robotics technicians, motor power specialists, and fabricators. Throughout the program, students gain essential real-world skills including welding, grinding, measurement, 3D printing, process and quality control, robotics, professionalism, and teamwork.
Tyler ISD is proud to celebrate the dedication and hard work of these students as they take meaningful steps toward shaping the future of manufacturing in Tyler, Texas.
For more information, contact Jennifer Hines at Jennifer.Hines@TylerISD.org.