Lufkin Road Middle School teacher Rick Carroll enjoys his role as a breath of fresh air from students' core classes. As a career and technical education, or CTE, teacher, he helps open students' minds to careers, the history of technology and future possibilities.

He also serves as leader of the school's Technology Student Association, a club that participates in regional, state and even national competitions featuring challenges in areas like design and engineering, environmental systems and construction.

This summer, three of Carroll's TSA students placed seventh out of 101 teams that entered the Engineering Structures challenge at the National TSA Competitive Events Conference.

Now in his fourteenth year in Wake County and his second at Lufkin, Carroll was impressed by his students.

Q: What are some of the subjects you cover with students?

A: In sixth grade, we spend nine weeks exploring career decisions. In seventh and eighth grades, the focus is on exploring technology. We cover the history of technology, from prehistoric times to the information age, and now, migrating into the "nano age."

Q: How do you stay current with the latest trends?

A: I spend a lot of time researching on the Internet, and I also read Popular Science and Popular Mechanics.

Each year, all CTE teachers meet to find out what other North Carolina CTE teachers are doing. To share that information with others in our area, I will present some of what I learn to fellow teachers on Aug. 22.

Q: How did you get involved with TSA?

A: I found out about it nine years ago when I heard about students building CO2 dragster race cars. I knew right away I would have a lot of students who would love this.

The first year, we scored poorly, but we really enjoyed it. The next year, we decided to do a bridge challenge where you build a bridge out of balsa wood. At the regional level, you can pre-build the bridge and take it to the event. But at the state level, you must build the bridge that same day, and then they are judged the next.

Five years ago, we won at the state level because our bridge had a substructure and held an incredible weight. The judge told me that we changed the way bridges would be built in future competitions. This year, our bridge held over 200 pounds, which won first place at the state level.

Q: What are some other events?

A: There is a great problem-solving challenge where students get a bag with things like ping pong balls, tape and other random materials and then a problem. They must solve the problem using the tools they have.

Another is Exploring Technology Issues. Two students draw a technology issue, and one student argues for the issue, the other against it.

The CO2 cars are very popular, and the competition is very fierce. All in all, there are 26 different competitions, and my kids usually compete in eight or 10 of them.

Q: What do you think students gain from competing at a national level?

A: I love seeing the students when they get hyped up about a concept and are excited about their projects. It's sort of like when a student stops you at the door and says, "Mr. Carroll, I really learned something today." I wish every technology teacher could experience it. Unfortunately, there are costs involved in competitions and a lot of time commitment. It suits somebody like me, because I'm not just starting out, and I have the time to invest.

The reward of being involved in these competitions is monumental. The experience is something they will remember the rest of their lives.