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48 / JULY.AUGUST.2023 USICERINKS.COM u.s. ice rink NEWS Updates from the U.S. Ice Rink Association CIT Class of 2018: It's time to recertify! All Certified Ice Technicians (CIT) expiring in 2023 must com- plete a CIT Recertification (CITR) exam by the end of the year to remain current. We are now offering an online exam option that provides the opportunity for CITs to self-study and write the CITR exam utilizing an online proctor each month. Those seeking CIT recertification must maintain an annual membership (Individual, Facility, or Vendor) with the United States Ice Rink Association to keep their professional certification valid. Available exam dates can be found at usicerinks.com under the Education tab, then Locations/Registration. Contact John Monteleone with questions at johnm@usicerinks.com. Effective in January 2023, any CIT that has allowed their certification to lapse more than 5 years will no longer be eligible to take the recertification exam and would need to repeat all three courses. Register for 2023 Regional Training Programs Don't delay in registering for a Region- al Training Program near you. Some locations have already sold out. Online SIRO courses for the Fall will be posted at usicerinks.com no later than August 15. WIAMA Wins with STEM Program STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programs specific to the ice sports industry offer a fantastic opportunity for hands on learning in your facility. Field trips coupled with a STEM program are a great way to enhance school visits by giving students hands-on experience in the field. Recently the Wisconsin Ice A rena Management Associa- tion (W IA MA) board of directors, along with some of the group's members, had their Education and Programming Coordinator Abby Fredrickson from Naga-Waukee Ice A rena in Delafield, W I present two of the U.S. Ice Rink Association's STEM programs. They were 'Making Fizzy Snowman' and 'Making a Catapult.' Terry Johnson, from the Pettit National Ice Center, was one of the participants that attended the program. "Similar to students in school, we were able to get up and out of our seats and engage in a fun experimental activity," Johnson said. "I can see how this program would be a great way to get new participants in my facility." Jason Woods from the Kettle Moraine Ice Center in West Bend, WI recognized that getting school groups into his building was made easier when he added a more educational portion to a skating field trip like the STEM programs that U.S. Ice Rinks offers. "Everyone had very positive responses to the added educa- tional aspect and was appreciative that we took a skating field trip to the next level," Woods said. For more information on U.S. Ice Rink's STEM program, visit their resources page found at usicerinks.com. J CERTIFIED ICE TECHNICIAN • Recognized by the National Hockey League, the Certified Ice Technician (CIT) is the most highly regarded professional designation for ice rink operations professionals in North America. For more information, check out pg. 25 PHOTOS: COURTESY OF WIAMA