Universal Technical Institute of Sacramento brought STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) to Calla High on Tuesday.

Students at the alternative education site of the Manteca Unified School District got to see first-hand UTI’s Science Technology Engineering Math in the form of a high-performance vehicle.

“UTI brought a race car and had students programming a computer to regulate the air and gas intake for peak performance,” Calla High teacher Scott Millard said.

He and Jacob Walden from UTI have been friends for 15 years.

“Every year he pays for a substitute teacher and brings 25 students to Sacramento for a field trip,” said Millard, who has been teacher at MUSD for 27 years including past 25 at Calla.

He added: “Together, we have successfully transitioned over 30 students into the Diesel & Automotive program.”

The UTI campus with state-of the-industry equipment also features a Rousch Yates Power & Performance lab, where students learn to tear down and rebuild engines, according to the www.uti.edu website.

“I’ve been pushing trade schools before it was even a popular choice,” Millard said.

He’s hoping that the UTI technology along with the hand-on activities during the morning visit will help motivate the 150 or so students at Calla.

“The students are really talented at my school,” said Millard. “I couldn’t be prouder of a group of adults than I am right now.”