As an 8th grader applying to the ETA (Engineering and Technology Academy) I had many expectations going in, but I never expected the reality. I am currently a sophomore which means this is my second year in the program; not only that but I am a part of the last freshman class of the old building and the difference that setting makes is unexpectedly disparate. I have experience in the ETA from these past years that apparently is not common knowledge to the rest of the school and I’m here to dish it all out.
I start my day catching up with my teachers from last year. Them all being in the same spot makes it easier to talk to them all at once. The ETA is put in a position where a community and safe space forms really naturally with teachers as well. As soon as 7:20 hits I am in my first period class and with the same group of people I will be seeing for the rest of the day. Five out of the seven periods in a day are spent with the same people; it was like this last year as well. The classes are the standard ones, Math, English, Science, History, and then the fifth being Engineering. I honestly believe this system to be beneficial, even though some might disagree. I think that staying with the same group of kids for the majority of the day is a great way to widen your network and boost your presence to others at Doherty.
The other kids who have classes with people they’ve never met often times do not talk to those people and never make an effort really to get to know their peers, as a matter of fact I’ve done that myself. So by having the same group of people 5/7 times a day it forces you to to really get to know a person and make friends with people who you likely wouldn’t have on your own. Freshman year was an amplified version of this because period 1-5 were with the same kids whereas sophomore year classes that you are with your group is more split up.
Freshmen ETA is the most separated in terms of experience than the rest of the years, but with the new building even that has changed. Last year the building was a lot more befitting for students. The classes were a bit more spread out giving us more breathing room and walking space in between classes, in some strange way it made the schedules feel less boring. In the new building though it certainly is much more efficient. Their classes being all in the same wing majorly cuts down on transition time. I could see that serving teachers more than anything, but also the students for getting through the curriculum faster because that extra time can add up. It is also a part of why I usually like to meet with them in the morning, because it is so easy.
One big improvement from the old building is the brand new Engineering shop. A good thing about it is that it’s much more equipped to handle other units of engineering. The freshmen only really focus on one kind of engineering that requires the shop, like building the cars similar to the picture (shown on the right) for their annual learning fair, but the later years have many uses for all the different areas. It is clean with a sleek finish unlike last year’s, which really felt like a big shed almost.
ETA has changed this year and even more so in the new building but it does not take away from the benefit and great experience gained from participating.
Mr. Simm • Feb 5, 2025 at 12:28 pm
Great job Gilly! Business as usual!