Career and Technical Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Melvindale High School provides students with the opportunity to explore career pathways, gain hands-on experience, and develop the skills needed for success in college, careers, and life. Through engaging, real-world learning experiences, students connect classroom instruction with practical applications in high-demand industries. What makes Melvindale High School unique is that we offer nine in-house CTE programs—Business Administration Management & Operations, Construction Trades, Digital Multimedia and Information Resources, Education General (Teacher Cadet), Engineering, Finance, Health Sciences (Patient Care Technician and Pharmacy Technician) Marketing (Entrepreneurship/School Store) and Mechatronics. With access to industry-relevant technology, professional certifications, and work-based learning opportunities, our students graduate with a strong foundation that prepares them for success in both post-secondary education and today’s competitive job market.

BUSINESS, ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT, AND OPERATIONS

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades: 9-10-11-12 (BMMT) (EMIT) (AC) (HS) (HuS) (NRA)
**Math Elective Credit for Seniors
**Fine Arts Credit
** Meets Personal Finance requirement

This course is the gateway class to specialized business courses that students will be eligible to take in the future. The Business Management & Technology program prepares students to plan, manage, supervise, and market business operations, products, and services. It includes instruction in business administration; information management; human resources management; business law; ethics; business communications utilizing application software; preparing and delivering presentations; planning and organizing projects; and decision making in a business environment.

Students will learn how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and take the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Test in one or more of those areas. Passing this test gives students an official MOS credential from the Microsoft Corporation.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades: 10-11-12 (BMMT) (HS) (HuS)
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Business Management & Technology with 2.0 or higher (preferred)
** Math Elective Credit for Seniors

This one-year course will teach students the financial skills necessary for successful independent living. Topics will include career decisions, money management, financial security, credit management, resource management, risk management along with consumer rights and responsibilities. This course also includes the use of an on-line financial literacy program.

CONSTRUCTION TRADES

CONSTRUCTION CAREERS

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades 9-10-11-12

Construction Careers will introduce students to the diverse and dynamic world of construction trades. This hands-on and interactive course will provide a comprehensive overview of various careers within the construction industry. It will explore the different sectors within construction, including residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure. Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about their future career paths.

CONSTRUCTION TRADES

1 Credit Per Semester
Grades 10-11-12 (EMIT) (BMMT)
**Math Elective Credit for Seniors

The one-year, two-hour program provides students with an introduction to materials, tools, machines and the procedures involved in the processing of materials used in industrial technology. Employment, safety procedures, measurement, design, hand tool usage, basic machinery, finishing and environmental concerns will be the focus of the course. Course instruction will center on materials and processes involved in product design and product manufacturing. Students will complete the 60-Hour pre licensure builder’s certificate and take the Residential Builder Contractor exam. Students are encouraged to join and compete in SkillsUSA.

DIGITAL/MULTIMEDIA AND INFORMATION RESOURCES DESIGN

DIGITAL & MULTIMEDIA GRAPHICS DESIGN 1-2

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades: 9-10-11-12 (BMMT) (EMIT) (AC)
**Fine Arts Credit

Students will dive into visual storytelling in iMovie (change to Adobe Premiere/Final Cut Pro when updated) software concepts in an effort to create a self sustaining weekly web-broadcast feature. Students will learn through a series of lab-based tutorials and discussions, creating short documentaries that introduce essential editing functions. Students are tasked with creating four (4) weekly “webisodes” in which an episode theme is collaboratively worked out from a basic storyboard and script pitch to a final web premiere.

DIGITAL & MULTIMEDIA GRAPHICS DESIGN 3-4

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades: 10-11-12 (BMMT) (EMIT) (AC)
**Fine Arts Credit

In Digital Multimedia 3-4 students continue their technical journey exploring more nuances of iMovie (change to Adobe Premiere/Final Cut Pro when updated) and strengthening their skill using the camera and editing/production process. This is achieved by the development of a one-minute documentary about themselves and a short five-minute documentary (or mockumentary) about a chosen subject of their own concept and design. The final product is a self-produced digital demo reel that students can use in their portfolios. Students will also be commissioned to work with building and district wide staff in an effort to cover special events and produce high-end video content that will be consumed either through online or physical resources. The majority of this course is instructor-led hands-on lab work.

EDUCATION - GENERAL

EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades: 11-12 (AC) (HuS)
**Fine Arts Credit

Interested in a career in the field of education? This yearlong class will introduce you to the field of education and provide an extensive understanding of children. Students study child development, educational theory, and guidance techniques; then apply skills they have learned different school buildings in our district. Students will create lesson plans and activities for students at varying educational levels. Students will learn effective methods for working with children of all ages and then apply them to real life situations. Students are encouraged to participate in additional educational experiences outside the classroom. Students will gain insights about teachers, schools, trends in education, current concerns and topics in the field and the educational system. Additionally, students continue improving their skills as professionals. Students may be eligible for articulation credit through some colleges.

EDUCATION SEMINAR (AC) (HuS)

1 Credit Per Semester
*PREREQUISITE – Education Foundations
**Fine Arts Credit
Grade: 12

The Education Seminar is designed as a capstone course that builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired in Education Foundations. This course offers a comprehensive and in-depth study of establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment. Students will delve deeper into key aspects of effective teaching, with a focus on creating optimal learning environments and implementing developmentally appropriate practices. Since this class is for second-year Education Foundation students, they will begin student teaching at Rogers Early Elementary school as soon as the school year begins. Students will have the opportunity to join Educators Rising, which is a student-led organization that focuses on leadership skills and competitions in bulletin board design, lesson plans, and assessments.

FINANCE

ACCOUNTING 1-2
1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades: 10-11-12 (BMMT)
**Math Elective Credit for Seniors
** Meets Personal Finance requirement

Introduces students to the concept of the accounting cycle and focuses on the interpretation of accounting information for decision-making purposes. An overview of the basic accounting process as well as an introduction to the presentation and uses of financial statement information is provided. Specific topics studied include setting up company information, maintenance of accounts and records, journalizing and posting transactions, closing the books and creating financial statements, payroll reports, cost accounting, and inventory management. Earn college credit at Baker College if you take both Accounting 1-2 and Accounting 3-4 with a final grade of a B or higher.

At the completion of the course, students will:

Demonstrate the kind of information reported on and concepts used in developing financial statements.
Practice the accounting for and presentation of current assets.
Practice the accounting for and acquisition and depreciation of assets.
Model an understanding of what liabilities are and how they are presented on the balance sheet.
Classify various income statement categories (revenue, expenses) and what these categories represent.
Apply an understanding of the statement of cash flows.

HEALTH SCIENCES

HEALTH CAREERS

1/2 Credits Per Semester
Grades 9-12

This course will provide students with the basic theory and clinical experience for entry-level positions in a physician’s office, hospital, or outpatient clinic. Students will participate in classroom learning consisting of both theory and hands-on demonstrations and practice, as well as have the opportunity to participate in internships/job shadow experiences with local health care professionals. The curriculum provided allows students to explore their interest in many fields within the medical profession, including but not limited to: nursing, medicine, advanced practice nursing, physician’s assistant, laboratory science, emergency medical technology, radiology, surgical technology, and nuclear medicine.

PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN (PCT)

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades 11- 12 (HS) (HuS)
*Prerequisites: Concepts of Biology 1-2, Health Careers Recommended

Patient Care Technician students gain both the academic foundations of health care and hands-on training in the skills needed for direct patient care following high school graduation. The PCT program meets during a 3-hour block and is designed to provide students with the necessary instruction and clinical experience to prepare them for employment in the patient care technician field. PCT students will have the opportunity to complete the NHA Certified Patient Care Technician examination and the State Prometric examination. Upon completion of the program students will have the acquired knowledge and clinical skills to perform competently in the field of PCT.

Special Requirements:
Physical examination with required immunizations, TB screening.

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

½ Credit Per Semester
Grade 12 (HS) (HuS)
*Prerequisites: Chemistry, Health Careers Recommended

Students will participate in classroom learning that will focus on pharmacy operations and the core responsibilities of a pharmacy technician. Topics such as medication review, dosage forms, drug interactions, pharmacy calculations, federal laws and maintaining patient records. Students will have an opportunity to participate in internships/job shadow experience with local pharmacy professionals. Students will take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, an industry-recognized credential. Students have the opportunity to participate in HOSA, a club for leadership and competitions in the health field. Students must be within 60 days of high school graduation to take the credential test; therefore, this class is only for seniors.

MARKETING, SALES AND SERVICES MARKETING, ENTREPRENEURSHIP

MARKETING 1-2

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades: 9-10-11-12 (BMMT) (AC) (HuS)
**Math Elective Credit for Seniors
**Fine Arts Credit

This one-year course includes basic concepts involved in the flow of goods and/or services from producers to consumers with emphasis on the four marketing principles: Product, Promotion, Price and Production. Students will explore basic principles of marketing that are needed for the job market. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an effective understanding of the following topics: basic selling principles, retail store operations, economic principles, marketing functions, marketing segmentation, and terminology
At the completion of the course, the students will be able to demonstrate an effective understanding of the following topics:

ENTREPRENEURSHIP/SCHOOL STORE

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grade: 11-12 (BMMT) (AC) (HuS)
Prerequisite: Approval from instructor
**Math Elective Credit for Seniors
**Fine Arts Credit

This is a one-year course in which students will run the school store at Melvindale High School This course offers students experience in buying, selling, pricing, stocking, and displaying of merchandise. It also will provide students the experience of maintaining accounts, cashiering, and using marketing and management techniques.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS

ENGINEERING - GENERAL

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades: 9-10-11-12 (EMIT)
**Math Elective Credit for Seniors

This course is the introduction to more specialized engineering courses that students will be eligible to take in the future. The Engineering General pathway prepares students to plan, manage and supervise the engineering design process, as modeled by team-based projects. It includes hands-on activities; a minimum of two main projects per semester; many educational field trips and engineering competitions. This course introduces the students to AUD graphing tools; instruction in the roles of engineers; the contributions of engineering in society; project management; design of products and processes to specified outcomes; introduction to computing tools and physical equipment in support of engineering design; and engineering ethics.

MECHATRONICS

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades: 10-11-12 (NRA) (EMIT) (HS) (HuS)

Class will prepare individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of computer controlled electro-mechanical systems and products with embedded electronics, sensors, and actuators; and which includes, but is not limited to, automata, robots and automation systems. Includes instruction in mechanical engineering, electronic and electrical engineering, computer and software engineering, and control engineering.
The course is broken into 12 segments with a pre-and post assessment. Each semester will be comprised of six segments.

ADVANCED MECHATRONICS (Marshall Plan)

1/2 Credit Per Semester
Grades: 11-12 (NRA) (EMIT) (HS) (HuS)
Prerequisite: Mechatronics

Advanced Mechatronics is an engaging and challenging multidisciplinary engineering class that combines theoretical and practical principles in systems design, computer, electronic, mechanical, and control engineering. Students interested in studying Mechatronics can gain hands-on experience working with pneumatic, hydraulics, electricity and manufacturing of mechanical parts and machines. Students who complete this program will be eligible for post-secondary degree and certificate programs at colleges and universities.

Core Performance Indicators