Two teams from Lone Star College-Kingwood Process Technology Center will be competing in the North American Process Technology Alliance’s Troubleshooting Skills Competition (TSC) this month.
The LSC teams, MilliAmps” and “Dynamic Diagnostics,” were among the top 12 highest-scoring teams of the qualifying rounds of the TSC.
The Troubleshooting Skills Competition was created to allow advanced Process Technology students to demonstrate their hands-on skills in real-time process problem solving. Teams from educational institutions from across the country compete for the “NAPTA Troubleshooting Champions” title.
Process Technology Instructor John Moody is the coach for the teams.
“What they're going to do is call up a virtual refinery on the computer. Then they’re going to troubleshoot problems. It’s using the virtual refinery we have on the computers here at the Process Technology Center.”
Matthew Begnaud is on the Dynamic Diagnostics team.
“Honestly, I don't think we could have qualified in this qualifying round if it wasn't for the professors. Coming into this program, a lot of us knew nothing about process technology and working in plants. Professor Moody, our coach, he has really drilled into our heads troubleshooting every day we come to class, and it's really helped me personally to be able to look at a problem and know the steps to take to troubleshoot that particular problem.”
“It's very exciting,” shared Team Captain Delynn Hodges. “Even if we don't make it to number one, I'm still just very excited to get that experience, to be able to communicate with other people that have similar interests.”
Troubleshooting skills are imperative for those in the industry to ensure understanding of the processes, keep workers safe, and encourage cooperation and teamwork.
“I enjoyed just the collaboration with each other, and it was just a lot of fun,” said Dynamic Diagnostics team member Andrew Bedford. “During the qualifying rounds and the practicing leading up to it, to be sitting around and then getting to know each other. And going through all the material and just seeing everything that we had to do. Then growing together and bonding as a team.”
Cameron Franklin with Team MilliAmps said the Process Technology program taught him vital skills and has prepared him not only for the competition, but also for the workforce.
“Going into this program, I really didn't know anything about this industry and really, anything at all about like how this stuff works. I remember my first class my first semester, I was like they’re speaking a different language in here, but I’ve learned a lot and it’s grown on me. It's a lot more interesting than I anticipated to be. I'm really excited for the future.”
The teams are:
Team MilliAmps:
- Cameron Seyler, Team Captain
- Marc Alexis, Team Member
- Cameron Franklin, Team Member
Team Dynamic Diagnostics:
- Delynn Hodges, Team Captain
- Andrew Bedford, Team Member
- Mathew Begnaud, Team Member
Both teams will now compete in the National Competition on April 24th and 25th at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas. During the competition, they will also have a chance to network with industry representatives and participate in teambuilding activities and hands-on exercises.
For more information on the Process Technology program, click here.
Lone Star College System enrolls over 90,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSCS is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D. serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area. LSC has been named a 2024 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education. LSCS consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit Lonestar.edu.
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