School: Olathe East High School
Class: Video Productions II
Instructor: Eric Harrington
Client: Burnetts Automotive
Problem: How can real-world industry partnerships like the one between Burnetts Automotive and OATC shape students’ career paths, skill development, and future opportunities both within and beyond the automotive field?
Summary
In this Community-Centered Project, students partnered with Burnetts Automotive—an industry collaborator from the Olathe School District’s community partner list—to explore how technical education can translate into meaningful career opportunities. After reviewing several potential partners, students selected Burnetts Automotive based on shared goals and vision. They independently managed all communication with the organization, coordinating with Director Conrad Knapp to bring the project to life.
The core objective was to create a promotional video that would showcase how students enrolled in the Auto Tech program at Olathe Advanced Technical Center (OATC) can leverage their training and experiences into long-term careers in the automotive industry. Through research and interviews, students explored how the partnership between OATC and Burnetts supports skill development, career readiness, and transferable opportunities beyond auto repair. The final video was designed to inform and inspire current and future students by highlighting the real-world impact of career and technical education.
Takeaways
Students gained the ability to communicate with clients, develop initial plans, and review and revise those plans to create a product that will benefit the party, in this case multiple parties involved.
Advice
Don’t stress. Trust the students, yourself, and the clients.
Standards/Learning Targets
1.4 Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason.
1.6 Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
1.8 Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
1.11 Use technology to enhance productivity.
1.12 Work productively in teams while using cultural/global competence.