Cluster Courses
These courses introduce students to different areas of technical study. Students search for their place within the world of work while experiencing hands-on activities within a career cluster. They provide skills that are transferable to all aspects of life such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-awareness and, as such, are powerful learning tools regardless of career interest. Thus, these courses are open to all students, regardless of their level of interest in a specific career pathway.
Architecture and Construction
Introduction to Electricity
Beginning Woodworking
Advanced Woodworking
Introduction to Electricity
1 to 4 Credits (6642)
1 or 2 Blocks/1 or 2 Semesters
Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
In this introductory course to the Architecture and Construction career cluster, students will become familiar with basic electrical principles such as Ohm’s Law. Each student will acquire a basic knowledge of D.C. and A.C. circuitry, and design, wire, and analyze each circuit. Areas of study will include series and parallel circuits, combination circuits, switching circuits, use of meters, use of various power tools, residential services, appliance circuits, and blue-print reading. This course is an excellent course to strengthen skills for students contemplating entering other craft areas in the construction field. It provides a sound foundation for post‑secondary study at either a two or four-year college.
Beginning Woodworking
1 Credit (6671) 1 Block/1 Semester
Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
In this introductory course to the Architecture and Construction career cluster, students learn woodshop safety, maintenance, and the techniques necessary to produce high quality woodworking projects including fine cabinets and furniture. This course is project oriented. Students are responsible for the purchase of materials utilized for personal projects.
Advanced Woodworking
1 Credit (6677) 1 Block/1 Semester
Prerequisites: 85 or better in Beginning Woodworking; Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
In this introductory course to the Architecture and Construction career cluster, students learn more advanced skills in the areas of furniture design, construction, and finishing. Techniques will include raised panel construction, dovetail joints, wood turning, inlay, and marquetry. Students will be responsible for purchasing much of their own material.
Art and Communication
Web Design
Web Design
1 Credit (6696) 1 Block/1 Semester
Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
In this introductory course to the Art and Communication career cluster, students will become familiar with overall website production process, design exercises using Adobe Application, and design elements involving layouts, navigation, and interactivity. Acquired web design competencies will include basic web principles, file formats, site management skills, site and banner advertising, as well as other marketing techniques. Working with basic HTML code, vector and bitmap graphics, SWF, GIF, and DHTML animations is a skill objective. This class prepares students for the web design apprentice (CWDSA) certification. Students who successfully complete the course requirements can receive college credit through the Community College of Vermont.
Business
Sales and Marketing
Sales and Marketing
1 Credit (6631) 1 Block/1 Semester
Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
In this introductory course to the Business career cluster, students will be introduced to the exciting and fast paced world of sales and marketing. During the semester, business related topics such as stress management, business ethics, listening skills, oral and written communication, conflict resolution, organizational techniques, and management skills are studied. Students will learn the workings of the consumer and industrial markets including in-depth discussions of product concepts, pricing decisions, promotional consideration, and distribution options utilizing hospitality, sports, and entertainment themes.
Hospitality and Tourism
Introduction to Culinary Arts
1 Credit (6651) 1 Block/1 Semester
Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
In this introductory course to the Hospitality and Tourism career cluster, students work in a live professional culinary kitchen to learn what is involved in the culinary trades and the hospitality and tourism cluster in general. Students are exposed to the production of a variety of food types, food handling, safety, sanitation, and presentation. This is an excellent course to acquire knowledge about culinary careers as well as to acquire useful skills such as kitchen safety, sanitation practices, knife skills, baking techniques, cooking methods, and recipe conversions.
Human Services
Introduction to Human Services
1 Credit (6641) 1 Block/1 Semester
Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
In this introductory course to the Human Services career cluster, students receive an overview of the Human Services profession including social services, public safety, child development, early childhood education, health careers, geriatrics, social issues, career exploration, communication, goals, and decision making. One block a week is spent visiting area agencies and working on projects in the community.
Information Technology
Computer Applications and Technology
1 Credit (6691) 1 Block/1 Semester
Prerequisite: None
In this introductory course to the Information Technology career cluster, students expand their exposure to the use of the computer in daily life. Software applications include advanced word processing techniques, spreadsheet applications, and database creation. Creation and demonstration of presentations with PowerPoint and web page building through FrontPage complete the basic objectives of the course. Supporting these goals will be learning effective techniques in electronic research using academic library resources and those found on the Internet. Students will use other computer devices such as the digital camera and the flatbed scanner to aid their work in the core topics.
Manufacturing
Design, Fabrication, and Production
1 Credit (6621) 1 Block/1 Semester
Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
In this introductory course to the Manufacturing career cluster, students will be exposed to drafting concepts and their direct relationship to woodworking and metal fabrication. It is a good introductory technical education course for Woodworking, Welding, Construction Technology, and Drafting. Students begin with the study of drafting by designing individual projects and creating the drawings necessary to produce the piece in the corresponding woodworking or welding shop. At the completion of the course, students will be familiar with drafting concepts, basic woodworking skills, and fundamental welding techniques.
Basic Welding
1 Credit (6626) 1 Block/1 Semester
Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
In this introductory course to the Manufacturing career cluster, students are introduced to elementary practices of welding. Students explore three basic welding types (SMAW, GMAW, and Oxy-fuel welding), two types of metal cutting (Oxy-fuel and Plasma Arc), the basic welding symbol, and a weldment drawing, the basic techniques for material preparations. This course uses both group and individual projects and problem-based scenarios as instructional tools. Students practice general employability skills such as effective communication, interpersonal skills, and presentation skills. The course is a good option for students interested in taking other technical education courses.
Advanced Welding
1 Credit (6628) 1 Block/1 Semester
Prerequisites: Basic Welding; Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
In this introductory course to the Manufacturing career cluster, students are introduced to advanced practices of welding. Students continue to develop competence in three basic welding types in all positions, practice skill needed for ASW flat certification in SMAW, understand the metallurgy of common metal for welding, explore GTAW for Stainless and Aluminum and thin metals, and become competent understanding welding symbols and interpreting weldment drawing. Students will also practice managing a welding project from estimating to building. This course uses both group and individual projects and problem-based scenarios as instructional tools. Students practice general employability skills such as effective communication, interpersonal skills, and presentation skills. The course is a good option for students interested in taking other technical education courses.
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
Introduction to Automotive Maintenance
1 Credit (6611) 1 Block/1 Semester
Prerequisite: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
In this introductory course to the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics cluster, students are given the information needed to keep a car on the road. It is a good introductory course for sophomores who might be interested in taking Automotive Technology, Auto Collision Repair and Painting, or Truck and Diesel Mechanics in their junior or senior year. Students will learn which maintenance tasks they can perform and what types of repairs a trained technician should complete.
The Career Clusters icons are being used with permission of the:
States’ Career Clusters Initiative, 2007, www.careerclusters.org
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