Applied Trades Academy

Program Highlights

This trade skills experience program provides selected students with an opportunity to explore entry level trade skills at the Cecil County School of Technology. Specifically, students gain experience in carpentry, electricity, masonry, and welding. Students also develop employability skills including the employment application process, as well as successful work habits. Course work from the Advance Technology Courses will also be covered. During the duration of the course students will have the opportunity to shadow programs of interest that are offered at the School of Technology. Successful completion satisfies the student’s pathway course requirement for graduation. Students will also be enrolled in English 9 and Algebra at the School of Technology.

Content Courses

English 9

Aligned to the 9-10 grade band of the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards, this course requires students to demonstrate proficiency in these standards as they apply to reading, writing, speaking, listening, and using language. As students explore short and extended pieces of literature, they are expected to transfer their understandings of author purpose and choice to make deliberate decisions in their own writing. Assignments in this class may expose students to mature and sensitive texts.

Pre-Algebra or Algebra 1

Pre Algebra:
This research-based intervention course combines direct algebra instruction with the use of technology to give students the opportunity for success in Algebra I, which is the next sequential course. Students will focus on instructional, modeled, and independent algebraic experiences.

Algebra 1: 
This course provides students the foundation skills for future mathematics courses, many careers, and college. This course will help students to view algebra as a theoretical tool for analyzing and describing mathematical
relationships. Students will also experience the power of algebraic thinking in a context of applications by studying the mathematical modeling of real-world problems. The course content will include a rigorous approach to solving, graphing, and writing linear, quadratic, and exponential functions.

Foundations of Technology

This course explores the application of technical knowledge, tools, and skills needed to solve practical problems. Instruction is centered on problem solving and hands-on activities in the areas of construction, manufacturing, communication, biotechnology, power and energy, and transportation.

Advanced Tech 1

Students will gain a deeper understanding of the design process and how it relates to Energy, Power, and Transportation Technologies. Students will engage in solving real-world problems through individual and group activities. Students will utilize both computer and production labs to create ideas; develop innovations, design, fabricate, and engineer practical solutions to a variety of technical problems. Students will be introduced to project management and how application of all skill sets are necessary to develop solutions to problems within the fields of energy, power, and transportation. REC: Foundations of Technology.

Advanced Tech 2

Students will gain a deeper understanding of the design process and how it relates to construction and manufacturing processes. Students will utilize both computer and production labs to engage in solving real- world problems through individual and group activities. Students will be exposed to both residential and commercial building practices along with the manufacturing production processes of today's world. Students will be prototyping using 3D printing, CNC routers, and laser engravers.