21^st Century Career Exploration Labs

Arizona, Loma Vista, and Wells Middle Schools offer 21st Century Career Exploration as an elective. This class allows students to rotate through different modules focused on specific pathways, learn skills that are pertinent to that pathway, and use those skills in a hands-on learning environment.

Pathways are chosen by the school according to student interest, local labor market, and pathways offered at the high schools in the district.

Since the introduction of these labs, teachers in the high school CTE pathways have benefited from having students that are more knowledgeable about the pathways, are more engaged, and are better prepared to complete pathways.

Intro to Agriculture

Students will be introduced to the diversity of agriculture in California and around the world. They will begin to study basic animal sciene and plant science following the California State Department of Education Standards for Science and Agriculture Education. They will be taught about safety when working in and around plants and animals. They will also learn some basic business management information, career planning, and job interviewing skills. Students will plan an out of class, supervised agriculture experience project (SAE). Use of technology and scientific principles will be implemented throught the school year. Leadership skills will be demonstrated and taught in class and through the Loma Vista FFA chapter activities. 

Family and Consumer Sciences Villegas Middle School

Students in the Family and Counsumer Sciences Class learn about the fundamental biological, chemical and physical scientific principles associated with the study of food.

Topics include: food composition and nutrition; food additives and regulations; food safety, processing, and engineering; product development and sensory evaluation.

FCCLA at Villegas Middle School 

FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for students in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education like my Food Science class. FCCLA offers opportunities for students to pursue careers that support families. Since 1945, FCCLA members have been making a difference in their families, careers, and communities by addressing important personal, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.

Involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life—planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication—necessary in the home and workplace.

Today, more than 155,000 members from 4,253 chapters are active in a network of associations in 47 states, including Puerto Rico. Students from my classes have competed at the regional, state and national levels. FCCLA provides a unique opportunity to be a part of a nationally recognized organization. This is a huge asset in college admissions and career selection.

Woodworking Wells Middle School

In the Wells Woodshop kids learn a range of skills. In the Wood 1 (Introduction to Cabinetry) class, kids use a wide variety of woodworking machines and tools to create many wood projects. Through this process, students learn shop safety, measurement skills, cutting and joinery techniques, proper gluing and clamping techniques, fastening techniques, and finishing techniques. Some project examples include cutting boards, jewelry boxes, wall shelves / bookshelves, tortilla presses, and many other utilitarian items in which students could use in their home.

The overall skill set learned in the wood 1 class will prepare kids for the Wood 2 (Intermediate Cabinetry) class. Wood 2 is a general course on Euro and face frame cabinetry, which is essentially the cabinetry that we see in virtually all homes today. Kids will also advance into some furniture making skills in the Wood 2 class. Some project examples include base cabinets, nightstands, chest of drawers, benches, chairs, and tables.

The skills developed in both classes will develop an overall confidence and understanding which can be applied in the real-world applications, either as DIY builds and repairs, or in one of the many carpentry/ building trades.

The Agriculture and Natural Resources sector is designed to provide a foundation in agriculture for all agriculture students in California. Students engage in an instructional program that integrates academic and technical preparation and focuses on career awareness, career exploration, and skill preparation. The pathways emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant experiences of significant scope and depth. Integral components of classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience projects, and leadership and interpersonal skills development prepare students for continued training, advanced educational opportunities, or entry to a career

Agriculture Mechanics Norte Vista High School 

Agriculture Mechanics provides theory and hands-on experiences that provide opportunities for students to develop basic knowledge and skills in agricultural mechanics.

This pathway prepares students for careers related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of equipment used by the agriculture industry.

Ornamental Horticulture Norte Vista High School 

This pathway exposes students to the art and science of growing plants, shrubs, trees, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. They provide information regarding the care and propagation of plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs, but place a special emphasis on those used for decorative and aesthetic purposes. Topics covered include: greenhouse and nursery operations, soils and media mixtures, fruit and vegetable production, interior and exterior plantscaping, irrigation systems, weed and pest control.

This pathway prepares students for careers in the nursery, landscaping and floral industries.

Agriscience Norte Vista High School 

The Agriscience pathway helps students acquire a broad understanding of a variety of agricultural areas, develop an awareness of the many career opportunities in agriculture, participate in occupationally relevant experiences, and work cooperatively with a group to develop and expand leadership abilities.

Film Production Hillcrest High School & Norte Vista High School

This pathway focuses on television and movie production. Students will convey creative expression and develop ideas individually or within a groups. They will learn industry-standard professional pre-production writing practices, and complete video projects based on scripts and storyboards. Students will also write and produce television shows in a variety of formats. Instruction in the creative process that precedes any movie or television project including writing, rewriting, collaboration and more rewrites will be the main focus. Students will also study the impact of digital video on our society from a social, economic, and political viewpoint. Students will learn the history of movie-making and technological advances in the art form. Knowledge and utilization of microphones, digital video cameras, and digital computer-based audio/video editing equipment, and software programs such as Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects.

NVTV You Tube

Performing Arts Hillcrest High School

Students in these pathways will learn the basics of acting, directing, stage management, as well as management, marketing, promotion, and more for the theater. This pathway is perfect for students who are curious about working behind the scenes or in-front of an audience, directing stage performances or managing events. Acting skills can transfer to any career by learning to overcome stage fright, build confidence, and develop public speaking skills. 

Stage Technology Hillcrest High School

Students in this pathway will learn the basics of stage management, lighting design, sound design, as well as production management, marketing, promotion, and more for the theater. This pathway is perfect for students who are curious about working behind the scenes in the theater.

Systems Diagnostics, Services, and Repair Norte Vista High School

This pathway teaches students about the automotive industry, automotive systems and vehicle maintenance. Students learn about safety and prepare for employment at automotive dealerships, repair facilities and other automotive related fields. The policies and classroom lab mirrors common business practices.

Students completing this pathway will be able to change all fluids in an automobile, understand, diagnose and repair minor problems with an automobile (such as brakes, shocks, steering, and tune up). Students learn the basic functions of engine repair, basic use of tools, automotive transmission and transaxle systems, manual drivetrain and axle systems, suspension, and steering systems. Students also learn about wheels and tires, brake systems, electrical and electronic systems, heating and air conditioning, and engine performance.

Students completing this pathway will be prepared to complete the Automotive Service Excellence certification.

Cabinetmaking, Millwork, and Woodworking Norte Vista High School

Students completing this pathway will demonstrate mastery in planning, design, layout and technical drawing interpretation for practical use in woordworking, cabinetmaking, and millworking. Students will be introduced and be able to demonstrate mastery in different construction processes in the cabinetmaking, furniture making, and millworking industries.

Residential and Commercial Construction Norte Vista High School

This pathway will allow students to learn the impact of financial, technical, environmental, and labor trends on the construction industry. Students will be able to apply appropriate mathematical calculations, interpret technical drawings, and demonstrate techniques for proper site preparation and foundation layout. They will demonstrate carpentry techniques for the construction of a single-family residence, proper installation techniques of internal and external materials and finishes, employ sustainable construction practices, and install plumbing and electrical systems that adhere to industry standards.

Students completing this pathway are well prepared to continue their education with the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters Union apprenticeship program.

Culinary Arts La Sierra High School

This pathway prepares students to understand the scientific principles of nutrition, the relationship of nutrition to health and well-being and also prepares students with food production, preparation and service skills. Students completing this course are prepared to handle food production, preparation, and learn service skills for employment in institutional, commercial or independently owned food establishments or other food and hospitality industry occupations. Students learn planning, selecting, storing, purchasing, preparing, testing, serving and selling of quality food and food products; nutritive values; safety and sanitation; use and care of commercial equipment; management of food establishments; cost and profitability analysis; side work and customer orders; and handling cash and credit transactions.

Student in this pathway will have the opportunity to work in the commercial restaurant kitchen on campus on catering and special orders.

Foods and Nutrition La Sierra High School & Norte Vista High School

This pathway covers various areas in food preparation and nutrition. Emphasis is placed on the relationship of diet to health, kitchen and meal management, food preparation and sustainability for a global society, and time and resource management. Students will be involved in working with others in the food laboratory while planning and preparing recipes. Ultimately, students will be given the opportunity to have the necessary skills to plan, purchase and prepare nourishing meals and to evaluate and improve their day-to-day food choices.

Advanced classes focus on principles of food preparation, consumerism, and career options in the food and hospitality industries. The study and application of nutrition, sanitation, food sciences and technology in this course provides students with laboratory-based experiences that will strengthen their comprehension of concepts and standards outlined in STEM education. FCCLA may be an integral part of this course. Through guest speakers, field trips, and culinary competitions students will be given opportunities to gain exposure to, explore and experience the food and hospitality industries.

Biotechnology La Sierra High School

Patient Care La Sierra High School

Marketing Hillcrest High School

The Marketing, Sales, and Services sector is designed to align career-path course work with current and projected employment opportunities. There is a basic business foundation in this sector: marketing and innovation are two major competitive issues for business today. Marketing includes the processes and techniques of identifying, promoting, and transferring products or services to consumers and is a function of almost every business. It exists within an environment of rapidly changing technology, interdependent nations and economies, and increasing demands for ethical and social responsibility.

Public Safety/Law Enforcement La Sierra High School

CTE Exploratory

Students explore various career pathways in a hands-on environment.

Intro to Construction