Sussex Tech teacher uses former student's training program

Sparta - Imagine the pride and joy felt by a teacher when he implements a training program developed by a former student; especially when it’s in the field he teaches. That is what Pete Renna is experiencing at Sussex County Technical School in Sparta. Renna has been the electronics instructor at Sussex Tech for 14 years. His former student, Ed Hart, Jr., is the founder of Intellitronic Devices, LLC. Today, the electronics program at Sussex Tech is enhanced with products developed by Hart and manufactured by other former students employed by Hart, at his company’s headquarters in Sparta. “Intellitronic Devices’ SMT Rework and Exploration Kit is a must for any high school or post secondary electronics program,” said Renna. “The kit captures the essence of today’s miniaturized component technology. Students gain experience with surface mount devices on a level that matches an actual on-the-job fabrication. “The kit includes a CD that contains documentation that makes this kit a real industry application,” he continued. “The info in itself is a valuable learning tool.” Kellie Garrigan, a senior in the electronics program at Sussex Tech, added, “The different sized parts make it ideal for educational use. The different circuits do not completely rely on the others, so troubleshooting wasn’t as daunting. It was fun and challenging.” “I like the project; it was challenging,” declared Dave Promnitz, a junior at the school. “I learned a lot about SMT components. The directions were put together well and easy to follow.” The SMT Rework and Exploration Kit is an innovative and economical training aid for surface mount technology. Students gain a hands-on and comprehensive insight into the basics of the technology. Teachers can provide students with an introduction to the most widely utilized component types and sizes in the electronics industry. The kit contains 210 components that are combined to create one large operational circuit. Additional troubleshooting and circuit manipulation skills are developed utilizing the provided Electronics Workbench multiSIM files. “I have been teaching electronics since 1978 and I personally have kept my programs current with the changes that have taken place within the past decades,” said Renna. If you currently teach or are responsible for the training of anyone involved with electronics technology, then you should without question be teaching aspects of surface mount technology. Intellitronic Devices’ kit is absolutely the best training medium I presently use with my students.” Intellitronic Devices, LLC, is located at 35B Wilson Drive in Sparta. For information, call 973-846-0074.