CTE Pathways: Manufacturing & Product Development

With our Manufacturing and Product Development pathways, students receive hands-on training while working with the same machines they’ll use as professionals. These courses provide opportunities to earn college credit and industry certifications, getting our students ahead of the curve.

Machining & Forming Technologies Pathway

This pathway is designed as a survey of machine tool technology. Student focus is on traditional machine tool technologies. Coursework includes setup and operation of the engine lathe, the milling machine, the drill press, and sawing and cutoff machines. Additional topics incorporate the calculation and setup of speeds and feeds, and measurements. Students considering Machining courses develop strong math fundamentals by learning plotting and mapping coordinates in the CNC processing. Communication and collaboration skills center on working with conventional and CNC machines for the safety of self and others.

Students in front of a manufacturing machine

Girl working on a manufacturing equipment

Courses

YEAR 1: Forming and Machining I

Course Description

In this course, students will learn how to use traditional machine tool technologies, including an engine lathe, milling machine, drill press and more. Students will calculate set-up speeds and feeds for the machines and convert engineer drawings into finished products. Towards the end of the course, students will explore careers available to them if they continue down the Advanced Manufacturing path.

This course meets the University of California G-Elective requirements.

YEAR 2: Forming and Machining II

Course Description

This course instructs students in the safe and accurate set-up and production operation of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) mills. Students learn and practice the safe and accurate set-up and production operation of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) mills. Students utilize commercial equipment to load programs, align fixtures, select offset, select cutter radius compensation, and run first article parts. Emphasis includes milling programming and creating samples and parts to demonstrate skills to potential employers.

This capstone course provides Advanced Manufacturing content, skill development and leadership training in a commercial machine ship environment which prepare students to pursue industry certifications, employment, and a postsecondary degree.

This course meets the University of California G-Elective requirements.

Outcomes

Students who complete Machining & Forming Technologies I will take the exam to receive a certification in OSHA 10- General Industry.

Students who complete Machining & Forming I may apply to receive credit for the Cerritos College course MTT 100 Machine Tool Introduction.

Students who complete Machining & Forming Capstone will take the exam to receive a certification in NIMS Credentials.

Students who complete Machining & Forming Capstone may apply to receive credit for the Cerritos College course MTT 52 Setup and Operation of CNC Milling Machines.

For More Information

Contact:

Frank Menjivar, Teacher
fmenjivar@dusd.net

Mechatronics Pathway

This one-course pathway provides students with a hands-on environment to work with technological systems. Students will dive into the engineering process, solving system problems with creative solutions. The pathway sets students up for success as they continue down the career path via academic, vocational or technical courses.

Courses

YEAR 1: Honors Mechatronics I

Course Description

Honors Mechatronics I is an advanced level course covering topics in mechanical engineering, control theory, computer science, and electrical engineering. The focus for the fall and winter semesters will be on robotics, with students engaged in the practice of designing, building, testing, and tweaking. All students will be expected to participate in team activities during class time (and are encouraged to do so outside of class time). Approximately 50% of class time in the fall semester will be used for robotics team group work, with the other 50% of class time used for individual projects. The focus for spring semester will be electronics, culminating with a final project where students will be expected to build a smart device that solves a problem by coupling sensor input with some kind of electronic or physical action.

This course meets the University of California D-Science (engineering) requirements. This course also receives UC Honors credit.

YEAR 2: Honors Mechatronics Capstone Coming Fall 2026

For More Information

Contact:

Aaron Tostado, CTE Teacher
atostado@dusd.net

Outcomes

Students who complete Honors Mechatronics I will take an exam to receive a certification in Onshape and Solidworks.

Welding & Materials Joining Pathway

Careers in welding are in demand. With our Welding and Materials Joining pathway, students can begin the training they need to succeed in the field early on with the same equipment used by industry professionals. The course prepares students for welding jobs right out of high school or to continue their education at schools like partner Cerritos College.

Courses

YEAR 1: Welding and Materials Joining I

Course Description

This introductory course is designed to familiarize students with the history, principles, and practices of the welding industry and their relationship to our economy and society. Emphasis is placed on technical and practical applications of metal cutting, brazing and soldering, shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux cored arc, and gas tungsten arc welding processes, shop and field safety practices, weld testing and welding metallurgy. Students learn the shop math typical to the welding industry such as the practical applications of measuring, measuring instruments, area, volume, fractions, decimals, and the metric system. Additional exploration includes the technical and practical aspects of the shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and flux cored arc welding (FCAW) processes on ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

This course meets the University of California G-Elective requirements.

YEAR 2: Welding and Materials Joining Capstone

Course Description

This course offers hands-on technical and practical applications of metal cutting, brazing and soldering, shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux cored arc, and gas tungsten arc welding processes. Topics include shop and field safety practices, weld testing, and welding metallurgy. The course is designed to familiarize students with the welding industry’s history, principles, and practices and their relationship to our economy and society. Students also learn to operate forklifts. This capstone course provides content, skill development, and leadership training, which prepare students to pursue American Welding Society (AWS) industry certifications and postsecondary education while working in the Welding sector.

This course meets the University of California G-Elective requirements.

Outcomes

Students who complete Welding and Materials Joining I will take the exam to receive OSHA 10- General Industry Certification.

Students who complete Welding and Materials Joining Capstone will take the exam to receive OSHA 30- Construction Industry Certification.

For More Information

Contact:

Bryan Mazariegos
bmazariegos@dusd.net

Learn More: CTE Pathways at Warren

Each CTE Pathway is industry-focused and usually consists of 2-3 courses. The last course in the pathway is the capstone. When students complete a course they may receive college credit or receive an industry certificate. Click on each industry below to see details about the courses and outcomes.