Science-Vocational+Connection

Support the big picture

Engineering Art Haines - AutoCycle -Solar Car We could build these cars!!! Creating theme "Sun; Power and Energy" this could be a project-based curriculum - model very effective Need for community/service outreach piece Lots of applied science students need to know... "Applied_" has connotation that these courses are somehow easier... ...reality is vocational has 20 kids...SAHS has 100 kids ...students need measuring skills.. ...school/community gardens? farmer's market? green club? How could we make these a part of school? alternative third year credit in science - how do we fulfill our mission of a third year science credit with fewer teachers? (due to budget cuts?) could outdoor resources "tweak" what they teach (1 credit of science) to get third sci credit? What about a new energy class at CTE?
 * Applied Science - Theory or Science**
 * But...how do we marry the two school curricula?**

6/18/09 Survey of LRTC_LHS School of Engineering program of study - the challenge is to develop (?) a rigorous and relevant technical path program based on common skills what about the science schedule??? If going with Tech prep, who should get extra 40 minutes (lab time?) UMO- ? Rock
 * Resources**

Long term... Need tech (Prep??) track/option Look at CTE curriculum for overlap with SAHS science
 * Time frame**

Friday...

=**Rationale: to make science more relevant to students**= =GOALS...= 1. Blend regular classroom with technical base. -need staff development to refresh our tech skills (long-term) - science dept must meet with other depts (Soc Studs) and CTE to identify topics taught in each in order to avoid duplication (short-term)

2. Make engineering a theme throughout the sciences 9 - 12 - focus on career links (short-term) - add CTE courses (Biotech, Envirosci, Engineering...) (long-term) - restructure current Options (AKA level 2, practical..) classes 10 - 12 (Need career path-based schedule...) (long-term) - back to standards-based grading; allow students to get sci credit through other courses (CTE...)

=Major Challenges= - getting everyone on board...

Focus question... This can't happen without supt, parent, school board involvement...where are we with this? Where is the "mission"?