Metro Technology Centers prepares people for successful employment and life in a global society.
South Bryant Campus
Inspiring Creativity in Our Future Leaders ~ OK Creativity Forum 2011
Nov 2nd
Anticipation was in the air for the 2011 Oklahoma Creativity Forum in Norman on 11~1~11!
Metro Tech students from Graphic Design, Administrative Assistant and the Metro Career Academy proudly wore their sleek MTC shirts and represented themselves well with 1100+ other progressive thinkers from Oklahoma and the nation.
The Oklahoma Creativity Forum (OKCF2011) was a stimulating site with a chandelier of foil sculptures and rows of art, exhibits, books and other curiously creative things. The opening session did not disappoint. The story of Wishing Well: Water for the World was told with the creative use of art, music, media and culture.Students were encouraged to spread out during the opening session to meet others and
share creative conversations.
Everyone seemed to like the panel discussion about Creativity Driving the 21st Century, especially Robert J. Sternberg from OSU.Bart Conner, MC of OKCF2011, and Desmond Mason may have been the first Olympian and NBA star students have had the opportunity to be in the same room with, let alone to be inspired by them. Students picked their sessions and took it all in. Soon, we will post a blog collecting all of their thoughts and inspirations to share with you.
Please share in the comments what you brought home from the OKCF2011 and your thoughts on using creativity to solve the worlds problems.
Veteran and Military Students – Metro Tech Needs YOU!
Oct 26th
Metro Technology Centers is on a mission to be known as a veteran-friendly school. Metro Tech is asking for veteran students, currently-serving military students and military family members who are currently attending Metro Tech, to take part in one of four forums scheduled in November. Director of Disability Services, Denise North, is working with the Secretary of Military and
Veteran Affairs for Governor Mary Fallin, Major General Rita Aragon, to improve services provided to veterans and their families. “We want to know what a vet-friendly school looks like, what we are doing well now and ways members of the military and veteran community can help us improve,” North said.
Metro Tech is piloting these forums to collect data and to build a model for all CareerTech schools in the state. Student participants are asked to speak openly and freely to each other and to the session moderator to help Metro Tech get a better look at improving services Metro Tech provides.
“As a mother of a veteran and a mother-in-law to a soldier currently serving
in Afghanistan, this is an important issue to me personally,” North said. “We want to make sure Metro Tech is doing everything possible to server our military community.”
Staff who are interested in volunteering need to contact North no later than Friday, October 28. Contact at denise.north@metrotech.edu or call at 595-4418.
Students are free to attend any of the following forums:
Click here for directions and campus locations
Nov 7: Springlake Campus
Room I
9:30 to 10:15 – AM students
11:45 to 12:30 – PM students
Nov 8: South Bryant Campus
The Seminar Center
9:30 to 10:15 – AM students
11:45 to 12:30 – PM students
Nov 9: Aviation Career Center
Main Entrance Classroom
1:30 to 2:15 – Day students
4:15 to 5:00 – Evening students
Nov 10: ITC/ACE Campus
Commons Area
9:30 to 10:15 – AM students
11:45 to 12:30 – PM students
You've Got Questions – We've Got Answers
Oct 26th
Metro Technology Centers’ Parent Resource Center is hosting the College and Career Prep Fair at the Metro Career Academy located at 1901 Springlake Drive in Oklahoma City. The event is free and will be held from 5 to 8 p.m.
The College and Career Prep Fair is designed for attendees to meet with college representatives, explore diverse careers including the fastest growing jobs in Oklahoma and learn more about financial aid and college credit. Parent Resource Center director,
Carole Brown, says the fair is a result of parents wanting information about how to prepare their children for life after high school. “Parents are interested in preparing for college and employment skills their children will need to be successful,” said Brown. “The Fair will have area universities, CareerTech programs, college credit and business representatives to answer
questions.” Parents, caregivers, students and job seekers are invited to attend. Adult Childhood Development students will be supervising the game room available for children.
NO BONES THESE ARE THE BEST SCONES
Oct 13th
This week, in Culinary Arts we made Cranberry Sour Cream Scones! I had only had the kind of scones from The Inspirations Tea Room in Edmond, Oklahoma. While those were delicious I don’t think they came close to the light, fluffy, and bursting with flavor recipe for scones that we made in class.
Just slap a little butter on them while they are warm and mmm mmmm good! I dare you to try them for a wonderful treat at your next European Style party with tea and scones. According to good ol’ Wikipedia, Scones are popular in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Scones are also the Republic of Ireland’s official representative for Café Europe during the Austrian Presidency of the European
Union in 2006 (the United Kingdom chose shortbread).
This recipe for Cranberry Sour Cream scones make for an awesome American breakfast, so try them and let me know what you think!
CRANBERRY SOUR CREAM SCONES
Unsalted butter, cold 14 oz.
Granulated sugar 4 oz.
Buttermilk 12 fl. oz.
Sour cream 1 lb.
Salt 1 Tbsp
Vanilla extract 1 Tbsp
Orange zest 1 Tbsp
Pastry flour (all purpose) 2 lb.
Baking powder 2 oz.
Cinnamon, ground
1 oz.
Cranberries, chopped coarse 14 oz.
- Chill a mixer bowl and paddle attachment in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before mixing.
- Cut the butter into 1/4-inch (6-millimeter) cubes. Set aside in the refrigerator.
- Whisk together the sugar, buttermilk, sour cream, salt, vanilla, and orange zest in a bowl until smooth. Set aside in the refrigerator.
- Put the pastry flour, baking powder and cinnamon in the chilled mixer bowl. Place the butter on top. Mix on low speed using the paddle attachment until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
- Add the buttermilk mixture to the dry ingredients and mix very briefly, until just combined. Mix in the cranberries until just combined.
- Scale the dough into three uniform pieces. On a lightly floured surface, press each piece of dough out into an 8-inch (20.5 centimeter) disk using a metal torte ring as a guide.
- Cut each disk of dough into eight wedges. Position the wedges of dough spaced 2 inches (5-centimeters) apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F until light golden brown, approximately 20-25 minutes.
ON A ROLL WITH CINNAMON ROLLS AND CRESCENTS
Oct 11th
- During the last week our bakers made cinnamon rolls from the Putnam City High School recipe. (Recipe to follow) After making the dough we made a cinnamon paste that we spread over the rolled out dough. Once covered with the paste we rolled the dough into a long log and cut it into approximately 1″ sections and placed them on a sheet tray some distance from each other. Then it’s off to the proof box! This is a
box that the humidity is controlled in order for the dough to rise to double in size.
After the rolls finished proofing they were placed in the oven at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes. While they baked we made the glaze to drizzle over them once they had cooled. They were absolutely delicious!Next we made crescent rolls. (Recipe to follow) This was a two day process since the dough for these had to sit in the refrigerator overnight. We made the dough, covered it, labled it and put it in the refrigerator for approximately 24 hours. The next morning, we took the dough out and let it come to room temperature (about 45 minutes).
Putnam City High School Cinnamon Rolls
2 pkg. yeast
2 c. warm milk (110 degrees)
1/4 c. + 1 T. brown sugar
1 t. salt
2 T. butter, softened
(For a softer dough, add 1 egg and increase butter to 1/4 cup)
5 c. all-purpose flour (I have started using bread flour)
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Dissolve yeast in milk
-
Add sugar, salt and butter; mix well
-
Add flour gradually, mixing well after each addition.
-
Knead dough (I always knead 10 minutes). Let double in bulk.
-
Heavily butter 2 (9 X 13 X 2) inch pans.
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Lightly oil board and roll out dough in a 1/4 inch thick triangle
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Spread 3 cups filling evenly over dough. Roll up tightly and seal edges by pinching.
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Cut in 24 (3/4 to 1-inch wide) slices. Let rise til double.
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Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.
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Glaze as soon as they come out of the oven.
FILLING
3/4 lb. butter
1 1/3 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
3 T. cinnamon
-
Mix all ingredients together well.
GLAZE
2 1/4 c. confectioners sugar
1/2 c. warm water
1 t. vanilla
-
Combine and beat til smooth, about 2 minutes.
(The key to this recipe is using REAL butter)
CRESCENT ROLLS
1 c. butter
1 c. milk
1 pkg. yeast
1/4 c. warm water
1 T. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
1 t. salt
4 c. flour
Warm milk until it starts to boil, turn off flame put in butter let cool, and add eggs.
Mix 1/4 c. warm water, package of yeast, 1 T. sugar til dissolved.
Mix 1/2 c. sugar, salt, and flour.
Add yeast mixture to milk mixture, next add flour slowly. Refrigerate overnight, take out of refrigerator let sit 45 minutes roll out, butter and cut out triangles, roll into crescent rolls. Let rise until double in size. Bake at 350 degrees 10-12 minutes.
Yield 32
So everybody get their roll on with these great recipes and let me know what YOU think!
***NOTICE!!!!!!***FALL PICNIC SOUTH BRYANT CAMPUS OCTOBER 14TH CHANGED TO OCTOBER 28TH
Oct 5th
Next Friday, October 14, 2011 Metro Tech South Bryant Campus will be holding their semi-annual fall picnic! ****NOTICE**** CHANGED TO OCTOBER 28TH!!!!!!!!
Because of the extreme heat this summer, the picnic was
moved so students can meet each other in a better climate. 
Students from all classes will get together for food, fun and games! You can’t have games without a little friendly competition. Students can sign up to represent their class in games of Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer and Horseshoes. For those that like to compete with strategy and their Wii skills, there will be a Wii competition and board games in the HVAC and CAD classrooms! Sign up with your classroom’s president of FCCLA or SkillsUSA.
On the menu is hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and soda.The picnic is FREE and is an all day event for both morning and afternoon classes. There’s plenty of opportunity to join in all the food, fun, and social activities. Prizes will be awarded to the winning teams.
So SBC!!!!! SHOW YOUR CLASS SPIRIT AND JOIN A TEAM TO REPRESENT YOUR CLASS AND SHOW REST OF THE SCHOOL WHO REIGNS SUPREME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Sep 21st
Greetings everyone!
Usually I post blogs regarding what the culinary arts class is doing that particular week. This week I would like to share MY story with you. Seven years ago I found myself going through a self-destructive phase in my life and got into a lot of trouble. As a result of that trouble I came a conclusion. I needed to change, so I went back to school.
I started at OSU-OKC working on my general edu classes and was originally working on a degree in Alcohol and Substance Abuse counseling. That all changed when state law passed that you have to have a Master’s Degree in order to be a counselor. Once again I was left trying to redirect my life and future plans for success.
I have always had a passion for food so I decided on Culinary Arts at Metro Technology Centers’ South Bryant campus. I was blessed with two VERY compassionate and helpful advisors, Ms. Hammond and Ms. Oppong. Together they strive to help all of their students stay motivated and work through any difficulties they have; including personal ones.
Through class I have been introduced to MANY different opportunities to improve my culinary, teamwork, and leadership skills. I’ve had the chance to serve buffets at OSU-OKC, do table settings at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and cater events at both OSU-OKC and the new Metro Career Academy‘s grand opening for over 750 people. All of these opportunities, as well as classroom instruction and hands experience in the school kitchen, have prepared me for the light and the end of the tunnel.
Until recently, I had given up on applying for jobs. Continuously being turned down for jobs because of my past had dampened my motivation. I felt like no matter what I did, it was pointless to keep trying. I relayed my doubts and concerns to my instructors. They encouraged me to keep trying.
They told
me there WAS a job for me out there. I couldn’t give up. Following their advice I applied for a position with an assisted living center. I did NOT get the job. Then I applied at the Boy’s and Girl’s club at the Salvation Army. During my first interview I went prepared. (Thanks once again to my instructor Ms. Hammond and Ms. Cagigal in Key Train) Resume and portfolio in hand, I went in with my head held high and full of confidence. Thanks to ALL the experience and training I received here at Metro Tech and the understanding of the Salvation Army regarding my past I am proud to announce that I AM GAINFULLY EMPLOYED as the kitchen supervisor/cook for the Salvation Army’s Boy’s and Girl’s club of America!
OKLAHOMA STATE MEAL
Sep 19th
This year’s Culinary Arts Assistants prepared Oklahoma’s State meal: chicken fried steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans and corn. The day before we cooked the meal, we prepped all the ingredients. The Oklahoma State meal was our introduction to cooking, seeing as how it was our first time in a professional kitchen. To me, this was the best part; becoming familuar with all of the equipment.
The next day was cooking time. The whole time in the kitchen was around an hour and fifteen minutes.
We learned some fun facts about Oklahoma. Did you know the Oklahoma state drink is milk? I
didn’t either!
Preparing the meal required a lot of teamwork to pull it off. In the end we were more than satisfied, especially after only having 30 minutes to scarf it down and clean the kitchen! We were rushed to enjoy all of our hard work but it was still a great experience. Be sure to catch up with me next time to learn about the upcoming,
wonderful experiences of the culinary mind and professional kitchen.
Oklahoma SkillsUSA Postsecondary Fall Leadership Conference
Sep 14th
Metro Technology Centers students will be attending the Oklahoma SkillsUSA Postsecondary Fall Leadership Conference on Thursday, September 29, 2011. This is being held at the Payne County Fairgrounds in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Leadership Conference has three main objectives:
- To provide sessions on leadership, citizenship and character development to support adult students who are preparing themselves for the labor market.
- To promote understanding of the role of Careertech training and its place in preparing workers to successfully work within the free enterprise system.
- To describe leadership and skill development opportunities offered through SkillsUSA that emphasizes the role of applied academics in vocational training, dignity of work, work ethic, and teamwork.
The Agenda is as follows:
9:30 a.m.- Registration begins
10:00 a.m.- Opening General Session
Opening Ceremony……………………………………………………Secondary State Officers
Opening Remarks & Welcome…………….Michael Emery and Eric Critchnau
Postsecondary State Officers
Campaign Speeches
Delegate Session
11:30 a.m.- Lunch
12:30 p.m.- Closing General Session
Keynote address………………….Danny King Francis Tuttle Technology Center
Awarding of Pins and Certifcates
Installation of new Postsecondary State Officers
Closing
Lunch is provided on site for all participants. Everyone attending will receive a conference t-shirt and pin. Registration is
due no later than September 16, 2011!
Should you have questions, please contact the state SkillsUSA office at 1-800-522-5810 ext. 143 or by email at dgibs@okcareertech.org.
Birthday Party at Culinary Arts
Sep 13th
Today was instructor, Ms. Hammond’s birthday and surprise party. Our class treasurer took donations so we could bring some food and a nice gift. The party was a success!
We all had fun, relaxed and
ate! We had mini weenies, cupcakes and a zebra cake made by fellow blogger, Donna. The food was great and the company was even better. Too bad I didn’t get to try the cake. The party was during the last hour of the morning class. It may have spilled into the second class after lunch.
This is just one of the many events (and delicious food) to come. First-year students get to cook this week. Be sure to check back with me on the MTC blog because I will have coverage of my culinary experience. Stay tuned!
