2013 Ford AAA Competition
By Andrew Michaud and Nate Haney
Caribou Regional Technology Center
The Ford AAA Student Auto Skills challenge is a competition among automotive technology programs offered at the high school level. This competition is divided into two areas: a state qualifying exam and a “hands on” competition. We will be taking the state-qualifying exam on February 13, 2013. This exam consists of 50 ASE style multiple choice questions that we will have sixty minutes to answer. If the two top scores from our school are among the top ten in the state we will then qualify for the “hands on” portion of the contest.
Last year we had the opportunity to go to the contest as observers because we were the top two scoring juniors from our school. This year we hope too be the two competitors that will represent Caribou Regional Technology Center at the contest. If we make it into the contest we will be faced with the challenge of fixing ten problems in a 2013 Ford vehicle in less than ninety minutes. The object to win the contest is too fix the vehicle correctly with quality workmanship and faster than the other teams.
In preparing for the contest we have spent the last two years in the automotive program acquiring the skills that we will need to be successful. Some of these skills include:
• Paying attention to details;
• Electrical skills (Theory and operation of electrical circuits);
• Reading electrical wiring schematics;
• Reading mechanical schematics;
• Learning to use electrical diagnostic equipment;
• Reading automotive trade periodicals;
• Learning to use automotive information systems;
• Sharpening our mechanical skills;
• Fine tuning our diagnostic process; and
• Working together as a team to solve problems.
Most of all we will be able to take these skills with us on our career paths that will lead to a successful financial future for us! Wish us luck!!
