Career Technical Education
Career Technical Education (CTE) provides students with the opportunity to acquire real-life skills to prepare them for successful, continuing education or entry-level career positions. Each CTE course offers relevant project-based activities modeled by professionals from the field. Downey CTE courses feed directly into the CTE courses at Downey High School.
Why should you participate in CTE?
- To explore career interests and goals
- To learn employability and job skills
- To create a personal portfolio
- To obtain work experience and on-the-job training
- To prepare for advanced career training
- To compete in industry competitions
Engineering is one of the options students can explore. They can have fun while gaining valuable, real-world skills.
CTE Programs
Broadcast and Journalism
Students in this class will prepare and produce a live television show, “Good Morning, Pioneers,” that is broadcast to our entire school every morning.
Broadcast students may work in front of the camera as an “On-Air TV Anchor,” behind the scenes in the “Control Room” or behind the scenes creating content for the show. Students will learn and practice valuable skills that will help them succeed in their future, including Inquiry and Discovery learning strategies, the Five C’s of Learning (Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration and Citizenship) and 21st-century technology skills.
Project Lead the Way
The STEM elective classes prepare you for the “real world” with hands-on activities, projects and problem based-challenges. Many former students confess how these classes gave them a competitive edge in college and the job market. These classes focuses on learning how to be professional and to be a great team member. You can say that these classes prepare you for jobs that do not currently exist. Now that you are intrigued, here are some brief descriptions of the classes.
Design and Modeling
Students apply the design process to solve problems and understand the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They work in teams to research topics, design concepts and sketch their ideas on paper in multiple views. Then, using the PLTW website and various industry-standard software, students create their designs on computers using 3D design software before actually making them in hands-on activities.
Flight and Space
The exciting world of aerospace comes alive through Flight and Space. During this unit, students delve into the history of flight and space, discover the science behind aeronautics, and explore traveling and living in space. Students are then challenged to use their knowledge to design, build and test a glider.
Automation and Robotics
Students work in groups to learn about how automation and robotics impact society. They research mechanical systems, energy transfer and machine automation, and will learn to code so that their robots and projects are capable of autonomous motion. Students use VEX Robotics® parts to design, build and program real-world objects such as traffic lights, toys and robotic arms.
You can also join a robotics team and participate in VEX Robotics Competitions!
The program is aligned with Downey High School’s to allow for an efficient transition for middle schoolers into high school where concepts learned in our middle school classrooms are connected and applied in their high school classrooms. During the year, Downey High School’s Robotics team and students from Cal State Long Beach visit our Engineering students to present their robot designs, provide mentoring and give advice on our students’ own projects.
