Engineering Program (CTE)
Engineering Program (CTE)
Calling all builders, scientists, mathematicians, and leaders!
Engineering contains a large number of job opportunities and specialties. Our Engineering Pathways are designed to provide students opportunities to learn and apply engineering skills through hands-on projects and competitions.
Some of the career opportunities and estimated annual salaries*:
Aerospace Engineering: $130,720 Electrical Engineer: $106,950
Airline and Commercial Pilots: $148,900 Robotics Engineer: $95,000 Industrial Engineer: $99,380
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists: $76,210
Civil Engineers: $95,890
*based on 2023 estimates from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Example Program Progression
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Engineering Classes
MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING
Length: Semester
Open to: 9th
This is an exciting introductory course offered to students to introduce them to the world of engineering and manufacturing. Students will integrate beginning CAD (computer aided design) and manufacturing skills by alternating class time from both areas. Students will learn to read technical drawings, create 3D models from them, and practice their own technical drawings. When students have completed their drawings, they will use them as they produce parts and products in the manufacturing lab. This class will expose students to basic skills from both disciplines and be invaluable to high tech/high wage careers.
INTRO TO ENGINEERING: ROBOTICS AND DRONES
Length: Semester
Open to: 9th-12th Grade
This is a hands-on introductory course that will introduce students to robotics and unmanned aerial systems, also known as drones. Students will use engaging hands-on learning such as robots and drones to begin to learn how coding and engineering work together to create solutions for everyday problems. Students will also learn about the history and applications of drones and robots. This class will expose students to basic skills from coding and engineering.
CODING ELECTRONICS I
Length: Semester
Open to: 9th-12th Grade
This course provides the instruction necessary for students to apply knowledge necessary for drones, robotics and general engineering involving electronics. The course outcomes cover the fundamentals of electricity and electrical circuits, troubleshooting problems of basic electric circuits and creating projects with microcontrollers. Labs include safety and assembly skills, learned soldering skills, projects with Arduinos and breadboarding, basic measurement and troubleshooting techniques. Students will use electronic components to build the following projects: games, musical devices, mobile robots, and more!
CODING ELECTRONICS II
Length: Semester
Open to: 9th-12th Grade
Prerequisite: Coding Electronics I
Coding Electronics II dives deeper into concepts related to microcontroller based projects including wireless communication, Internet of Things applications (smart home devices), Machine Learning/AI, and project development. Students will work on projects from the ground up from prototyping on a breadboard to manufacturing printed circuit boards in order to produce final commercial grade products. Projects may include smart home enabled lights, greenhouse control systems with web-hosted interfaces, and competing to design, build, program, and test robots that can conduct autonomous scientific missions collecting data and exploring areas.
CAD I (COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN)
Length: Semester
Open to: 9th-12th Grade
Recommended: Algebra 1
This course will introduce students to the principles of Computer Aided Design(CAD) to make 3D models and technical drawings of parts, components, and assemblies. Models of product solutions are created, analyzed, and communicated. Components are combined and constrained to create assemblies. Students will learn and apply concepts to create plans for components and assemblies related to engineering drones and robotics. They also have an opportunity to establish a foundation of understanding needed to take the Autodesk Certified User’s exam for Autodesk Fusion 360, an industry recognized certificate.
CAD II (COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN)
Length: Semester
Open to: 9th-12th Grade
Prerequisite: CAD
Picking up where the CAD course left off, students will dive deeper into CAD software to explore more techniques for 2D sketches, 3D models, and complex multi-component assemblies. In this project-based course, students are faced with genuine problems and tasked with modeling solutions using their digital tools. Students will create physical representations of a variety of 3D models. They also have an opportunity to thoroughly prepare for the Autodesk Certified User’s exam for Autodesk, an industry recognized certificate. In addition, this course will equip students to be the primary designers in advanced robotics and drones courses, as well as the school's FRC robotics team.
*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.
DRONE ENGINEERING & DESIGN
Length: Semester
Open to: 10th-12th Grade
Prerequisite: Intro to Robotics/Drones and Coding Electronics/CAD
This class focuses on the engineering design and development process to meet the objectives of a project. Students will explore how to build, modify, and deploy drones for specific missions. Students will learn how to use laser-cutting and 3D printing hardware as they design, prototype, develop and test for operations. Students will learn how to operate, maintain and repair drones as well as innovate based on specifications and requirements to tackle a complex application. Students will become familiar with machinery, tooling and methodology needed in the development and prototyping process.
ROBOTICS ENGINEERING & DESIGN
Length: Semester
Open to: 9th-12th Grade
Prerequisite: Intro to Robotics/Drones or instructor approval
This class focuses on the engineering design and development process to meet the objectives of a project. Students will explore simple and complex machines, electrical systems, and machine learning using sensors. Students will program their robots for teleoperated and autonomous game stages. They will learn to fabricate a robot assembly from a kit of parts, as well as use laser-cutting and additive manufacturing (3D printing) to prototype their designs and create custom parts for their robot solutions. Teams will have the opportunity to compete against other robots from the district in semester-end competitions.
ENGINEERING: ADVANCED ROBOTICS
Length: Year
Open to: 10th-12th Grade
Prerequisite: Robotics Engineering & Design and one of: Coding Electronics, CAD, Manufacturing Engineering
*This class can be repeated for elective credit.
This project-based course focuses on using the engineering design process, robotic systems, and engineering teams to solve game-centered problems. Students will work with FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) components and kits. They will learn to interface with complex control systems using various programming languages and expand their capacity to design and fabricate complex mechanical systems. They will also test their designs to collect and analyze data to enhance robotic functions. Students in this course will complete projects connected to the development and competition strategy of the school’s FRC team, the PioBytes.
*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.
DRONE MISSION PLANNING & OPERATIONS
Length: Semester/Year
Open to: 11th-12th Grade
Prerequisite: At least 16 years of age
*Students in this course may be eligible to register for college credit
This course will provide students with background knowledge and skills that are critical to completing UAS missions. Students will explore current UAS platforms, sensors, payloads, and challenges of operation. Students will explore specifications, requirements and tolerances of UAS missions and requirements. Students will design and execute simulated operations in areas such as; precision agriculture (survey and application), environmental monitoring, land surveying, cinematography, public safety, FPV racing, construction inspection, entertainment, and logistics. Students will select different areas of operation to explore. Students may repeat the course to explore additional applications.
Students will complete all training and education necessary for their FAA Part 107 Commercial Remote Pilot Certification during this course.
*Students must be 16 to earn their part 107 certification from the FAA. Students may take the exam from the age of 14 but FAA certification will not be issued until they reach 16. Exam is only offered at FAA certified testing facilities.
*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.
ENGINEERING LAB TECHNICIAN
Length: Semester
Open to: 10th-12th Grade
Prerequisite: Instructor Approval
The engineering lab technician course is a hands-on, project based independent course where students develop the skills necessary to maintain and operate engineering and manufacturing equipment. Students will gain experience working with tools such as 3D printers, CNC machines, and laser cutters, ensuring the equipment remains in optimal condition. In addition, students will apply their skills to design, fabricate, and assemble products or components based on provided specifications and the needs of the engineering department.
ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP
Entry Level: 11th- 12th
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Advanced Robotics
This course provides students with the essential leadership, organizational, and managerial skills necessary to lead high-performing technical teams, drawing heavily on the practical framework of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). Students will analyze various leadership styles, learn foundational concepts of business operations, including project management and resource allocation, and practice applying these principles directly to the FRC competitive season through opportunities such as strategic planning, delegation, conflict resolution, and effective communication with mentors and sponsors. The goal of this class is to develop leaders who can seamlessly integrate technical execution with sound organizational strategy in preparation of workplace leadership opportunities in college and career.
AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A
Entry Level: 11th- 12th
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Concurrent Algebra 2
AP Computer Science A introduces students to computer science through programming. Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.
*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma
ENGINEERING CAPSTONE
Entry Level: 12th
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Proposal Submission with Instructor Approval, 2.0 credits in Engineering CTE
This year-long capstone course serves as the culminating academic experience for advanced engineering students, requiring them to operate as independent research and development teams to solve complex, self-defined technical problems. Working in small groups, students will drive their own projects from conception to completion. To apply for entry to the course a student must submit a formal project proposal before the end of the previous academic year deadline defining the scope, cost, technical requirements, methodology, and key deliverables. The remainder of the course is dedicated to design, prototyping, analysis, and refinement. The final assessment includes a technical journal submission for publication in the department's annual journal and a public presentation detailing the project's technical challenges, solutions, and outcomes followed by a Q&A with other students and technical experts. This course is designed to equip students with the experience and tools necessary to acquire internship experiences in college. This is an independent study course.