MECA Career Area Work Samples
The Automotive Technology career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 REPAIRING A WHEEL CYLINDER
Work Sample #2 DIAGNOSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS—ENGINE
Work Sample #3 DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING ELECTRICAL
PROBLEMS—CHASSIS
WORK SAMPLE #1 — REPAIRING A WHEEL CYLINDER includes the disassembly,
cleaning, honing, and re-assembly of a wheel cylinder.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — DIAGNOSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS—ENGINE includes a
software simulation of an ignition system of an automobile. The user must read several
diagnostic charts to determine the problem in the ignition system.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS—
CHASSIS includes a software simulation of a common electrical
lighting system of an automobile. The user must run several diagnostic tests to find the
problem in the electrical system. The problem can then be repaired by replacing old
wires with new wires.
The Building Maintenance career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 REPAIRING A FAUCET
Work Sample #2 PREPARING ELECTRICAL CABLE
Work Sample #3 INSTALLING A NEW ELECTRICAL CABLE
WORK SAMPLE #1 — REPAIRING A FAUCET includes the disassembly and the repair
of atypical single lever faucet.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — PREPARING ELECTRICAL CABLE includes stripping and
preparing wires in a non-metallic sheathed cable.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — INSTALLING A NEW ELECTRICAL CABLE includes the
disassembly of two electrical receptacles, removal of old non-metallic sheathed cable,
the installation of new cable, and the reassembly of the receptacles.
The Computer Applications career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS #1 –
INSTALLATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
Work Sample #2 SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS #2 –
SPREADSHEETS
Work Sample #3 SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS #3 – DATABASE
WORK SAMPLE #1 — SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS #1 – INSTALLATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION includes the installation of a new software program.
After installation, the user will learn how to use the application by
performing a series of activities. The user must learn how to follow the
software user guide to complete assigned tasks.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS #2 – SPREAD SHEETS includes
common activities related to the use of several different spread sheet
software programs. While the software programs are unique to this
system, the skills addressed can be applied to many different software
products on the market today.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS #3 – DATA BASE includes the
entry of customer information. This information is then used to sort and select
customer contact information for uses such as a mailing list.
The Construction Technology career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 MAKING A BUTT JOINT
Work Sample #2 MAKING A MITER JOINT
Work Sample #3 INSTALLING A LOCK ASSEMBLY
WORK SAMPLE #1 — MAKING A BUTT JOINT includes the measuring, marking, and
cutting of a piece of wood. A miter box and a backsaw are used to cut the wood. The
wood pieces are then assembled to make a butt joint.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — MAKING A MITER JOINT includes the measuring, marking, and
cutting of a piece of wood. A miter box and a backsaw are used to cut the
wood. The two pieces of wood are then assembled to form a miter joint.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — INSTALLING A LOCK ASSEMBLY includes the removal of a
lock assembly from a door, the measuring, marking, and cutting of new holes for the lock
assembly, and finally, the installation of the lock in the new holes on the door.
The Cosmetology career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 GIVING A MANICURE
Work Sample #2 CURLING LONG HAIR
Work Sample #3 GIVING A FACIAL
WORK SAMPLE #1 — GIVING A MANICURE includes the cleaning and filing of nails
and the softening, removal and conditioning of cuticles.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — CURLING LONG HAIR includes the curling of long hair using
small, medium and large rollers, curling of long hair using a curling iron, and
brushing and styling of hair.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — GIVING A FACIAL includes the application and removal of a
facial cleanser, application of a toner, and application of a moisturizer.
The Custodial Housekeeping career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 DUST MOPPING A FLOOR
Work Sample #2 CLEANING WINDOWS
Work Sample #3 CLEANING FURNITURE
WORK SAMPLE #1 — DUST MOPPING A FLOOR includes cleaning floors of mud and
gum using a putty knife, applying mop oil to the mop head, mopping floors
using a dust mop, and cleaning up dirt using a hand broom and dustpan.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — CLEANING WINDOWS includes mixing window cleaning
solution, washing windows with cleaning solution, cleaning and drying windows
with a cloth, applying window cleaner with a spray bottle, and cleaning and drying
windows with a squeegee.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — CLEANING FURNITURE includes removing gum and hardened
dirt, and cleaning and polishing furniture using a furniture cleaner and
polish.
The Digital Video Producer career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 RECORDING AND CAPTURING DIGITAL VIDEO
Work Sample #2 EDITING DIGITAL VIDEO
Work Sample #3 CREATING A DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCTION
WORK SAMPLE #1 — RECORDING AND CAPTURING DIGITAL VIDEO includes the
learning functions and operations of a digital video camera, tripod, and capturing
video using Adobe® Premiere Elements.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — EDITING DIGITAL VIDEO includes using a camcorder and
Adobe® Premiere Elements to alter captured video on a computer. The user
must remove unwanted video, add digital effects, and place transitions between clips.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — CREATING A DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCTION includes
constructing a storyboard, shooting video, and editing digital video using a computer and
Adobe® Premiere Elements. The user must create their own digital video Production
The Food Service career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 SETTING A RESTAURANT COVER
Work Sample #2 TAKING ORDERS
Work Sample #3 PREPARING FOOD
WORK SAMPLE #1 — SETTING A RESTAURANT COVER includes the setup of a fourplace restaurant cover. This includes place mats, napkins, cups, saucers,
plates, and silverware.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — TAKING ORDERS includes the taking down on a guest check of
five individual orders for food.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — PREPARING FOOD includes the preparing of approximately six
peanut butter balls. When work is complete, all dishes and utensils are washed
and dried.
The Health Care career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 WRAPPING AN ARM WITH AN ELASTIC BANDAGE
Work Sample #2 TAKING A TEMPERATURE
Work Sample #3 PULSE AND BLOOD PRESSURE
WORK SAMPLE #1 — WRAPPING AN ARM WITH AN ELASTIC BANDAGE includes
the practice of proper techniques for wrapping and unwrapping an arm with
an elastic bandage.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — TAKING A TEMPERATURE includes taking, reading, and
recording a patient's temperature with oral and electronic thermometers.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — PULSE AND BLOOD PRESSURE includes the use of a
stethoscope and sphygmomanometer to read both the pulse rate and blood pressure
of a patient. Both pulse rate and blood pressure are recorded on a
health care chart.
The HVAC career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 MAKING COMMON PIPE FITTINGS
Work Sample #2 HVAC INSTALLATION TECHNIQUES
Work Sample #3 SERVICING HVAC SYSTEMS
WORK SAMPLE #1 — MAKING COMMON PIPE FITTINGS includes the assembly and
disassembly of steel pipe, plastic pipe, and copper tubing. These are
the three most common types of material used in HVAC.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — HVAC INSTALLATION TECHNIQUES includes some of the
common tasks involved in installing a new HVAC system. Activities include
information on common HVAC systems and their selection, blueprint
reading, ductwork, and electrical installation.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — SERVICING HVAC SYSTEMS includes common service
techniques for an HVAC system. Activities include removal, selection, and replacement
of air filters; cleaning a HVAC unit; maintenance of a humidifier; and
finally the troubleshooting and repair by replacing an internal furnace
control (IFC).
The Manufacturing–Small Parts Assembly career kit includes the following work
samples:
Work Sample #1 NUTS & BOLTS
Work Sample #2 SCREWS
Work Sample #3 ELECTRICAL WIRING ASSEMBLY
WORK SAMPLE #1 — NUTS & BOLTS includes the assembly and disassembly of forty
bolts, nuts and washers. The user must learn to use several different types of wrenches.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — SCREWS includes the assembly and disassembly of a variety of
different types of screws into a 136-hole screw block. The user must use several
different types of screwdrivers.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — ELECTRICAL WIRING ASSEMBLY includes the installation and
removal of a 21-terminal connector bar into an electrical terminal box. The user must run
three sets of different colored wires and connect them in the correct sequence to the
connector bar.
The Small Engines career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 SERVICING AIR CLEANERS
Work Sample #2 SERVICING THE IGNITION SYSTEM
Work Sample #3 CLEANING THE COOLING SYSTEM
WORK SAMPLE #1 — SERVICING AIR CLEANERS includes the disassembly,
cleaning, lubricating, and assembly of the air cleaner on a small engine.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — SERVICING THE IGNITION SYSTEM includes the removal of
the spark plug, test for spark, selection and setting of the gap for a new spark
plug, and the installation of the new plug.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — CLEANING THE COOLING SYSTEM includes the removal of
the blower housing, cylinder head baffle, and flywheel screen, the cleaning of all parts in
the cooling system, and the assembly of all parts.
The Office Technology career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 FILING
Work Sample #2 TAKING MESSAGES
Work Sample #3 TYPING A LETTER
WORK SAMPLE #1 — FILING includes the filing of cards, both alphabetically and
numerically.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — TAKING MESSAGES includes the taking of several verbal
messages. Messages are written on a phone message pad as well as e-mail.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — TYPING A LETTER includes the typing of letters (from both
written and oral instructions) using the computer.
The Sales career kit includes the following work samples:
Work Sample #1 CASHIER/SALES CLERK
Work Sample #2 THE SALES SKILLS MAP
Work Sample #3 SELLING A PRODUCT
WORK SAMPLE #1 — CASHIER/SALES CLERK includes the common duties of a
cashier/sales clerk which include totaling a customer’s purchases, making change,
handling returns and exchanges, figuring cost of goods sold, figuring discounts and
markdowns, and taking inventory.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — THE SALES SKILLS MAP is an assessment to help identify an
individual’s ability to become a successful sales person.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — SELLING A PRODUCT includes a review of the eight-step
process of selling a product or service and then implementing these eight steps into
an actual sales presentation.
The Manufacturing–Fabrication and Assembly career kit includes the following work
samples:
Work Sample #1 NOTE PAD ASSEMBLY
Work Sample #2 ASSEMBLY USING STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Work Sample #3 ASSEMBLY USING EXPLODED VIEW DRAWING
WORK SAMPLE #1 — NOTE PAD ASSEMBLY includes the cutting of several pieces of
paper and cardboard, collating these pieces and, finally, gluing them to make
a note pad.
WORK SAMPLE #2 — ASSEMBLY USING STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS includes
a 29-step assembly task taken directly from industry. All instructions for each
step are provided in a step-by-step process. After work has been checked, the assembly
is taken apart.
WORK SAMPLE #3 — ASSEMBLY USING EXPLODED VIEW DRAWING includes the
assembly of a second 29-piece assembly using only an exploded view drawing to assist
in the assembly process. After work has been
checked, the assembly is taken apart.