Serving
Adams, Blackford, Huntington, Jay and Wells County High Schools

 
 

         
 

Course Descriptions
 

AGRICULTURE

The Agricultural Education program is intended to provide opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of the ways in which agriculture affects our economy and the job market. Agriculture classes cover many different areas that everyone uses in their daily lives, and provide information to be used directly after the course is completed. The cows, plows, and sows teaching is on it’s way out, and new technology and exciting new ways to perform agriculture life are in. SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience) provides students with the opportunity to earn money while they are earning credit for school.

AUTO SERVICE TECHNOLOGY

Automotive Services Technology includes classroom and laboratory experiences that incorporate training in service and repair work on all types of automotive vehicles.  Included in the course is training in the use of service/repair information and a variety of hand and power tools.  Instruction and practice provides opportunities for students to diagnose malfunctions, disassemble units, perform parts inspections, and repair and replace parts.

Course content should address NATEF/ASE standards leading to certification in one or more of the following areas:  steering and suspension; brakes; engine performance; manual transmissions and differential; automatic transmissions; electrical systems; air conditioning; and, engine repair.  Mathematical skills will be reinforced through precision measuring activities and cost estimation, calculation activities.  Scientific principles taught and reinforced in this course include the study of viscosity, friction, thermal expansion, and compound solutions.  Written and oral skills will also be emphasized to help students communicate with customers, colleagues, and supervisors.

BUILDING TRADES TECHNOLOGY

Building Trades Technology includes classroom and laboratory experiences concerned with the erection, installation, maintenance, and repair of buildings, homes, and other structures using assorted materials such as metal, wood, stone, brick, glass, concrete, or composition substances. Instruction covers a variety of activities such as cost estimating; cutting, fitting, fastening, and finishing various materials; the uses of a variety of hand and power tools; and, blueprint reading and following technical specifications. Knowledge concerning the physical properties of materials should also be emphasized.

Instruction in plastering, masonry, tile setting, dry wall installation, plumbing, residential wiring and roofing should be covered in the course of study, Additional areas of instruction can include operation and maintenance of heavy equipment used in the construction industry and processes used for digging, grading, clearing, and excavating. Students will develop accurate and precise measuring skills and an advanced understanding of volume and area calculations as wells as the advanced mathematical skills required for construction of rafters, stair stringers, and complex angles.

Estimation skills will be strengthened through activities such as ordering of materials and planning construction jobs. Scientific principles will be reinforced through weight load exercises, span length determinations, and the study of relative strength. Reading skills as well as oral and written communication skills will also be emphasized to ensure students’ abilities to accurately interpret instructions and provide information to customers and colleagues.


BUSINESS COURSES

 Business classes will cover a variety of topics assisting students planning for a career in any occupation.  These courses may address specific office applications and office skills such as business communications and proofreading skills as well as duplicating a business environment where students complete work for the athletic department, library, staff and various school and outside offices. Students might also take a marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting, or other specific are business class.   In the spring  Seniors may  participate in an internship at an area business.

    
COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING (C.A.D.)

Drafting and Computer Aided Design (CAD) emphasizes the theory and application of drafting principles used to create detailed drawings according to exact project dimensions and specifications. Instruction includes experiences in gathering and translating realistic project data or specifications, completion of two and three dimensional drawings, and the development of computer models. Instruction will reinforce and expand students’ mathematical skills through the study of geometric tolerancing and construction and the sue of geometry and trigonometry principles in design projects and laboratory activities. Students will also enhance their reading and comprehension skills through daily use of technical software manuals. The techniques learned, and software used, should be state of the art and reflect current industry standards.

CULINARY ARTS

Culinary Arts is designed to prepare students to join the workforce or continue their education in the area of food service operation, preparation, and ultimately, professional chef.  Targeted areas of curriculum will include nutrition, sanitation and safety, basic food preparation, baking, pastries, meat and seafood, equipment utilization and maintenance, purchasing, inventory, and management.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

This course prepares students for employment and careers in child-related fields.   It includes planning and guiding developmentally appropriate activities for young children, application of basic health and safety principles, overview of management and operation of child care facilities, and employability skills.  Intensive child care, preschool and kindergarten lab experiences are included.

 ELECTRONICS

This program concentrates on different types of solid state devices, digital and linear circuits, advanced troubleshooting and repair projects.  The practical science of electronics circuits and applications are studied with emphasis on computers and robotics.  Students will utilize the applied approach to learning with significant “hands-on” experience combined with classroom instruction.

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES

Family & Consumer Sciences is based on academic and vocational/technical education, and reaches beyond the education system into the community as it focuses on the needs of individuals and families. Students will receive preparation in the areas of problem-solving, health issues, decision-making, higher order thinking, careers, communication literacy and numerical skills in applied contexts. Course work includes five areas: Personal and Family Relationships, Textiles and Fashion, Housing and Interiors, Nutrition and Foods, and Child Development and Parenting. Some of these classes are prerequisites for Early Childhood Education and Culinary Arts. Labs and hands-on activities are included in each course.

 GRAPHIC ARTS 

The Beginning Graphic Arts class is designed as in introductory course into photo-offset printing.  Students will learn about the various areas and careers within the field of graphic arts.  Classroom projects, will be produced so as to enable the student a wide variety of experiences tailored to his/her interest.

When enrolling in Advanced Graphic Arts, individual projects as well as some production projects will be competed in this class.  Emphasis will be placed on developing technical skills in the graphic arts area.  Successful completion of Graphic Arts I and II  allows students the ability to further their knowledge in either a 2 or 4 year college, or it will allow him/her the opportunity for entry-level positions into various printing careers.

 Graphic Arts Print Production deals mainly with scheduling, estimating, typesetting, prepress, press, and bindery equipment.   All students will receive an Indiana Essential Skills & Technical Proficiencies Certificate for the skills they have mastered.  This course prerequisite is: an application and C in Beginning Graphic Arts.

 HEALTH SCIENCE EDUCATION

 This course is designed for students who have a sincere interest in health occupations, which involves lectures, labs and clinical work.   The clinical time may take place at a variety of locations giving students the opportunity for hands-on experience.  Students learn the skills, attitudes, knowledge, and understanding necessary to enter the medical field, which consists of a wide range of occupations.

INTERDISCIPLINARY COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

Cooperative Education is a unique educational strategy that combines on-the-job working and learning experiences with related classroom instruction in a career field directly related to a student’s academic preparation and career objectives.

A student training plan and a training agreement are required. The formal training plan for the cooperative education experience must be jointly developed by the students, parent, teacher, and employer. and must set standards for the specific career pathway the student pursues.

A required component of the cooperative education program is classroom-based instruction that complements the work site experience. Related instruction incorporating activities connected to a student’s career objectives and workplace experiences must be provided concurrently with the workplace learning experience.

IT ACADEMY:  INTERACTIVE MEDIA

Interactive Media is a career and technical education business and information technology course that will prepare students for careers in business and industry working with interactive media. Students will become competent in crating, designing, and producing secure interactive media products and services for business and industry. This program of study emphasizes the development of digitally-generated or computer-enhanced products using multimedia technologies. Students will develop an understanding of IT professionalism including the importance of ethics, communication skills, and knowledge of the "virtual workplace".

IT ACADEMY:  PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Programming and Software Development is a career and technical education business and information technology course that will prepare students for careers in business and industry as providers of software solutions. Students will learn to design, develop, test, document, implement and maintain secure computer systems and software. Students will develop an understanding of IT professionalism including the importance of ethics, communication skills, and knowledge of the "virtual workplace".

LAW ENFORCEMENT  (Criminal Justice)
Law Enforcement includes specialized classroom and practical experiences related to public safety occupation such as law enforcement, loss protection services, and homeland security. Training is based on standards and content similar to that provided by officially designated law enforcement agencies. Instruction includes procedures for patrolling on foot or in an automobile during the day or at night; dealing with misdemeanors, felonies, traffic violations, and accidents; investigative and evidence collection procedures; making arrests; and testifying in court. Students will have opportunities to use mathematical skills in crash reconstruction and analysis activities requiring measurements and performance of speed/acceleration calculations. Additional activities simulating criminal investigations will be used to teach scientific knowledge related to anatomy, biology, and chemistry. Oral and written communication skills should be reinforced through activities that model public relations and crime prevention efforts as well as the preparation of police reports.

PLTW  (Project Lead the Way) - Pre-Engineering

PLTW - Pre-Engineering is a program designed to introduce students to the fundamental aspects of engineering and engineering technology.  Instruction will emphasize underlying principals of engineering processes and the development of three-dimensional solid models.  Instructional activities will build skills ranging from sketching simple geometric shapes to applying a solid modeling computer software package.  Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through instructional activities that pose design and application challenges for which they develop solutions.  The techniques learned, and equipment used, should be state of the art and reflect equipment and processes currently being used by engineers throughout the United States.

PLTW (Project Lead the Way) - Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical Sciences is a Project Lead the Way program is a high school program divided into four sections, each section building upon the previous.  This dynamic program uses hands-on, real-world problems to engage and challenge students.  Students interested in math, science, and the human body will find this program a great intrudiction to the numerous medical fields.  It will also teach them how the skills they learn are used in the biomedical sciences.

PRECISION MACHINE TECHNOLOGY

Precision Machine Technology includes a wide range of classroom and laboratory experiences that develop skills and knowledge in the shaping of metal parts. Emphasis is placed on basic precision machining operations including the use of lathes, drill presses, and grinders, in addition to mill and bench work. Instruction includes the use and care of other precision tools such as micrometers, indicators, combination squares, scales, and calipers. Advanced instruction should include preparation in the use of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines that reflect current industry practices. Application of mathematical skills and blue print reading is part of the daily experience. Technical reading and writing skills will also be emphasized.

RADIO/TV PRODUCTION

The purpose of this program is to expose the student to radio broadcasting and television production theory.  Course content covers the historical components of broadcasting and the impact of the media in today’s world.  Students also receive training in interviewing techniques and communication skills.  Strong reading and speaking skills are recommended.  Other examples of course content are recording, editing, announcing, lighting, directing and camera techniques, basic commercial writing, weather broadcasting, and creating a short radio broadcast.