SkillsUSA - Ayala High School

The following are National Contests. In order to compete in them, one must first go through a Regional contest and then the California State Conference. Only the Gold Medalist from the State Conference earns the right to represent the State of California at the National Skills and Leadership Conference in June. These are some of the areas students from Ayala High School have participated in in the past.

3-D Visualization and Animation
Mimics the real world production environment where creative output must be accomplished within specific timeframes, resources and design constraints. This is a two-person team event. Contestants must produce high quality images and an animated short subject using 3D computerized images. Students are tested on their technical knowledge, production skills and creative/artistic abilities, take a preliminary written exam and do storyboarding (visual planning).

 

Action Skills
A five- to seven-minute demonstration of an occupational skill in an area in which a student is training. Contestants use examples, experiments, displays or practical operations to clearly explain their skills using contestant-prepared visual aids.

Architectural Drafting
Contestants will use their drafting skills to solve an Architectural problem. The problem includes a written test, a hand sketch, a computer-generated problem and a problem that may be solved using EITHER board drafting or CAD.

The contest tests the contestants' problem solving abilities, not simply their CAD skills.

 

Automated Manufacturing Technology
Plotting is not a scored event, however the contestants must be able to generate a plot file that will be used to send their data to the plotter. A team contest for three students. The contest evaluates teams for employment in integrated manufacturing technology fields of computer aided drafting/design (CAD), computer aided manufacturing (CAM), and computer numerical controlled machining (CNC). CAD operators construct the part geometry; the CAM operator generates the tool paths; and the CNC operator sets up and machines the part.

Cabinetmaking
Requires the building of a small cabinet from materials and drawings supplied. Contestants are expected to read the drawings, lay out and cut the parts using a table saw, laminate trimmer, hand drill, hinge boring machine and various hand tools. The parts must be accurately assembled, sanded and adjusted to tolerances specified by the judges.

Carpentry
Contestants will frame walls using wood and steel studs, cut and install common and hip and jack rafters, install drywall and baseboard moldings and window trim. Contestants will be judged on accuracy, ability to read and interpret blueprints, workmanship and the proper use of tools and equipment.

Chapter Business Procedure
Student teams of up six members will demonstrate the knowledge of parliamentary procedure in both a written exam and a team demonstration. The written exam will consist of 25 multiple choice questions related to materials found in Robert's Rules of Order—Newly Revised. Order a copy here . Scores are averaged and included as part of the team's overall score. During the presentation, the team will demonstrate the running of a typical business meeting using a standard order of business. During the presentation, the team must properly insert into the order of business the secretary's minutes, treasurer's report and business items identified by the technical committee. In addition to the debate and transaction of the business items, teams will also properly demonstrate at least 6 different parliamentary procedure motions, including at least one of each of the following: main, privileged, subsidiary, incidental and motions that bring back issues to the floor. Minutes of the demonstration will be read by the secretary upon completion of the demonstration.

Chapter Display
Selects the outstanding promotional exhibit designed and constructed by SkillsUSA student members. The display is built around and articulates a common theme established annually by SkillsUSA.

Community Service
Evaluates local chapter activities that benefit the community. SkillsUSA chapters present their best community service project for the year to a panel of judges. Contestants are evaluated on: (1) a notebook reporting the chapter's community service project and, (2) A live presentation by a chapter team of two to three members. The team may be a mix of high school and college/postsecondary students.

Computer Maintenance Technology
The CMT contest requires contestants to identify and repair computer hardware malfunctions, solve configuration problems, and install common components. In addition, the contestants take the A+ Certification exam. Their score on this exam is used as the basis for the written portion of the contest, and contestants who pass the exam receive their A+ Certification.

Computer Programming
The competition consists of project coding and output, a skill-related written test and an interview. The contestants will receive a packet that includes instructions to the written test and each of the three or four projects. Each project's specifications are written for Visual Basic, Java, C++ and RPG. The projects will be saved on the Desktop in a folder called "SkillsUSA Contestant#_." All projects will be downloaded to a jump drive or diskette (which ever the student prefers) and transferred to a main station to be printed, both code and screen.

Extemporaneous Speaking
Requires contestants to give a three- to five-minute speech on an assigned topic with five minutes of advance preparation. Contestants enter the preparation area one at a time where they are given a speech topic. They are judged on voice, mechanics, platform deportment, organization and effectiveness.

First Aid/CPR
Evaluates contestant's ability to perform procedures or take appropriate action based on scenarios presented related to CPR and first aid. There is also a written exam. All skills are judged on nationally accepted standards identified by the American Red Cross for first aid emergencies and the American Heart Association for CPR. AED scenario for college/postsecondary contestants will be added.

Job Interview
Divided into three phases: completion of employment applications; preliminary interviews with receptionist; and, in-depth interviews. Contestants are evaluated on their understanding of employment procedures faced in applying for positions in the occupational areas for which they are training.

Job Skill Demonstration A
Contestants demonstrate and explain an entry-level skill used in the occupational area for which they are training. Competitors in Job Skill A must demonstrate a career objective in an occupational area that is included in one of the contest areas of the SkillsUSA Championships.

Job Skill Demonstration B
Contestants demonstrate and explain an entry-level skill used in the occupational area for which they are training. Competitors in Job Skill B must demonstrate a career objective in an occupational area that is not included in one of the contest areas of the SkillsUSA Championships.

Opening and Closing Ceremonies
A teamwork and oral presentation contest that evaluates teams' understanding of the symbolic representation of the colors and assembled parts of the SkillsUSA emblem. Each team includes seven registered members in the roles of president, vice president, parliamentarian, reporter, treasurer, secretary and optional officer. The contest is a demonstration of the SkillsUSA Opening and Closing Ceremonies conducted according to the script and description as printed in the SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards 2005-2007.

Outstanding Chapter
The Outstanding Chapter consists of activities students have been involved with during the school year. Activities consist of chapter meetings, leadership training, publicity, community projects, professional development, program of work, awards, local and state competition, and other chapter selected activities. Each activity is documented according to guidelines and submitted in a scrapbook for judging. A student representative is interviewed at the SkillsUSA Championship events.

Photography
Contestants demonstrate their ability to use digital SLR's, image editing software (Adobe Photoshop) and professional studio lighting. Students perform on-site photography, portrait studio lighting & posing, process and print digital photos and submit two 11x14 or 16x20 mounted & matted photographs in advance of the contest to be judged and displayed at the competition. Contestants are evaluated on their mastery of entry-level job skills.

Prepared Speech
Requires students to deliver a speech five to seven minutes in length on a common theme established by National SkillsUSA early in the school year. Contestants are evaluated on their ability to present thoughts relating to a central theme clearly and effectively, and on voice, mechanics, and platform deportment.

Promotional Bulletin Board
Judges bulletin board displays created by SkillsUSA chapters. The bulletin boards promote SkillsUSA, career and technical education in general, and related occupational information. An oral presentation is also included.

Quiz Bowl
The Quiz Bowl tests a team of 5 competitors' ability to quickly respond to questions covering the areas of academic knowledge, professional development and current events. The participants respond to a question by activating a buzzer system. The teams receive one point for a correct answer and lose a point for each incorrect answer. The active rounds (preliminary and finals) are 100 questions each.

Related Technical Math
On a written test, contestants demonstrate skills required to solve mathematical problems commonly found in the skilled trades and professional and technical occupations. Skills demonstrated include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, fractions and decimals; applied word problems; percentages; ratio proportions; averages; area; volume; metric measures and traditional (Imperial) measures and trigonometry.

TeamWorks
Requires teams of four to build a joint project in two days, demonstrating their preparation for employment in residential construction. Team members must: analyze a project drawing; write an action plan and give a presentation (in which each team member is required to have an active part); and demonstrate their ability to work as a team performing skills in residential carpentry, plumbing, electricity and masonry. They are also judged on cleanliness of jobsite, timeliness of completing the project, and proper ordering and inventorying of tools and equipment.

Technical Computer Applications
Contestants will be expected to demonstrate installation, configuration and use of DOS, Windows 95/98/ME/XP/2000 Professional Operating Systems and one or more integrated office suite packages including e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet applications, database applications, web page development, money management applications, presentations applications, internet browser applications, etc. Microsoft Office and other integrated office suites could be used. The contest will include an oral presentation demonstrating the students' ability to communicate with others, the hands-on skills demonstration, and up to one hour will be allowed for a written examination

Technical Drafting
This contest evaluates contestant's preparation for employment and recognizes outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of technical drafting. The contest will focus on the solution of industry-developed problems by applying appropriate technical drafting skills and tools including computer-aided drafting (CAD).

Web Design
Evaluates each contestant's preparation for employment and to recognize outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of Web design.