The Automotive Technology program facility at the Arlington Career Center includes:  Two (2) classrooms; a computer lab with ten PC's; a parts storage room; a tool room; a storage room; a loft with lockers and more storage area; and, a shared lab space.

The lab space holds up to 10 vehicles with plenty of room to work on them. There are four twin-post, above-ground lifts and one drive-on lift for a front-end alignment machine.  Three new twin-post lifts -- two replacement and one additional -- were installed in the 2009-2010 school year.

Both classrooms are equipped with the following equipment and supplies:  An interactive whiteboard (SmartBoard); a PC with sound system; an LCD Projector; a transponder polling system (Turning Point); a document camera for small demonstrations; 20 student desks; and, storage for student workbooks.

The parts room stores our inventory.  We stock chemicals, fluids, filters, belts, tune-up components, brake parts, hardware and other consumables.

The tool room is better equipped than many professional garages (see inventory).

The storage room is where we keep past student records, training aids such as small engine work stations and cutaway components.

The computer lab has ten late-model computers with flat screen monitors, head sets and a laser printer.

The Automotive Technology program at the Arlington Career Center is very fortunate in that it has a spacious lab with 10 bays, coupled with ample vehicle parking in a secure, gated lot.  This space configuration is particularly valuable in Arlington, Virginia, where parking is limited and highly-prized.

Our unique setup allows us to operate two important programs, both of which help to fund and program while creating learning opportunities for students.
The first program is the repair program, where students get to work on real cars -- both their own and the cars that community customers bring to us.
Modest fees are collected for these repairs, mainly to cover the cost of parts and materials.  More important, these real-world jobs help students learn what it is like to work in a real repair facility.

The second program we operate is the Donated Vehicle Reconditioning and Resale Program (DVRRP). Through this program, contributions of used cars are accepted from the community.  Students then evaluate, repair and assist in the resale of the vehicles via online government surplus auction. This program generates all funds required not only to support the program, but also to assist with various other financial needs at the school. The program is popular with the community because donating patrons receive a tax break equal to fair market value of their vehicle.

The combination of these two programs takes advantage of the exceptional facilities at the Career Center, at the same time as it helps to support the program and advance student learning.  As a result of these program activities, you will see that our facility is in very good shape, our equipment is up-to-date, and our needs are minimal.

CLASSROOM/LAB STRENGTHS

--10 car bays
--specialized equipment
--special tools
--2 classrooms adjacent to the lab/shop floor
--Late-model vehicles (regularly donated by manufacturers) for hands-on work

WEAKNESSES

--Now that the program has expanded to accommodate two concurrent though different classes, it can be difficult coordinating use of the lab space.

--Inability to road-test repairs on the manufacturer-donated shop vehicles because they are not licensed and registered to be on the road. Also, some students do not yet have driver's licences.

IMPROVEMENT PLAN
 

We constantly make improvements to the equipment and hand tools that we use. We are replacing two lifts this year and adding another and we have plans to purchase another european vehicle system scanner this year to add to the four that we currently have.

As for major upgrades to the facility itself, they have been put on hold due to the fact that the school is scheduled for a complete remodel that will start in 2013 and be completed by 2016.

Both classrooms are equipped for 21st Century learning with interactive white boards (SmartBoards); transponder polling systems (Turning Point); LCD projectors; document cameras; integrated sound systems; up-to-date online curriculum;  and the industry-standard Alldata automotive information system.