Agriculture I: This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for future employment in the agronomy or related industries. Major units of instruction include scientific method, cellular biology, genetics, biotechnology, soil classifications, soil erosion and management, soil fertility, plant classification, plant anatomy and physiology, plant propagation, plant growth, integrated pest management, grain, oil, forage, sugar, and fiber crop production methods, grain quality, grain storage, and grain transportation. Participation in FFA student organization activities and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects is an integral course component for leadership development, career exploration and reinforcement of academic concepts.This course will develop students’ understanding of the livestock (beef, dairy, sheep, goats, and swine), poultry, and large (equine) animal industry. Topics of instruction include scientific investigations, genetics, animal anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition, animal reproduction, animal health, and meat science. Improving computer and workplace skills will be a focus.
Automotive Technology: This course provides planned learning experiences and activities that include shop safety, use of tools and equipment, along with auto service and repair procedures. Areas of hands on instruction include lubrication, cooling, electrical and brake systems. Wheel alignment, steering and suspension, and tire service are also covered.
Building Trades: Students explore various trades that are involved in constructing a home. This includes safety, technical math, lay-out and excavation, concrete and masonry, carpentry, electrical wiring, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, painting and decorating as well as landscaping. As the students come to know what is involved in the different areas of construction, they will be able to make an informed choice as to which area of the building trades they would like to pursue as a vocation.
Computer Graphics & Multimedia Design: This interactive multimedia course provides occupational preparation for careers in the multimedia field through a focused curriculum in application software, procedures and real-life situations. Students gain hands-on experience in multimedia, music creation and audio editing, scanning, digital photography, video editing, desktop publishing and web page design. Software used includes Macromedia Director, Dreamweaver, Flash, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, PageMaker, Premiere, Media 100 and Microsoft Office. Beginning concepts will be introduced with the above mentioned software.
Cosmetology: Cosmetology strives toward the development of beauty culturist graduates who area adequately prepared to successfully pass the state requirements to become a professional cosmetologist. Training also provides for career opportunities as a hair stylist, hair coloring technician, make-up artist, beauty counselor, and skin care advisor. The teacher training program provides preparation to become a licensed instructor, as well as director of a school helping with related managerial responsibilities of a school. Many instructors have become beauty school owners in the field of cosmetology. To become a professional cosmetologist, the State of Illinois requires 1500 hours of training from an accredited cosmetology school and the successful passing of the State Board exam. If a student starts the cosmetology program during junior year in high school and has good attendance, the student can complete the 1500 hours required by the end of the senior year.
Criminal Justice: Students will be educated in a wide range of criminal justice topics such as law enforcement, corrections, parole, probation, court system, security management, current legal issues, terrorism, as well as other related areas of our criminal justice system. The purpose of the course is to provide students with basic information to understand our criminal justice system and/or to pursue a career in the criminal justice field, both public and private.
Culinary Arts: The Culinary Arts program will provide student opportunity to build interest and skill in essential and advanced culinary theory and techniques. Students will gain exposure and training in both lecture and lab experiences necessary to advance towards future study and practice in the culinary profession. Areas of study may include: Foodservice History, Sanitation & Safety; Equipment Usage; Basic & Technological Aspects in Foodservice Preparation; Nutrition; Classical Cooking; Ordering, Purchasing, Receiving & Inventory Controls; Customer Relations; Vocational Ethics.
Engineering Technology: Engineering Technology is a diversified STEM program designed to give students real world problem solving skills through a medium of modern applied sciences. Engineering Technology is structured to provide insight and exposure to the basics of each major technology discipline, and the processes of research and development. Each student will: program, make three-dimensional models, explore computer numerical controls, learn kinematics, design robots, and breakdown the ‘division of labor’ that encompasses an operational STEM team. Students are given projects to construct, and will master the process of taking an idea, and making it a tangible object. Engineering Technology’s dual credit through Joliet Junior College is in accordance with the curriculum of Illinois State University, and based on the research of the combined efforts of the National Science Foundation and NASA. This course provides students the experience and foresight to generate knowledge for their future careers in the STEM fields.
Fire Science: Fire Science I curriculum is based on the standards set by the Illinois Fire Marshall’s Office, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Transportation. The course will include the following: fire suppression; fire alarms and communications; fire behavior; fire apparatus; heat, flame and smoke detectors; strategies of fire control; fixed and portable extinguishers; standpipe and hose strategies; forcible entry; protective breathing gear; fire streams; ventilation and sprinklers; useful fire fighting tactics and strategies; written reports; common building technology terms; structural elements in buildings; types of construction; relation of construction type and method of fire fighting; building codes; and First Responder Training.
Foundations of Teaching: First year students will receive an introduction to child development principles, developmentally appropriate learning environments, curriculum development, health, safety, and nutrition in regards to early childhood education. Students are also exposed to special education topics such as: IEPs, disabilities in the classroom, RTI, and inclusion. While enrolled in Early Childhood, the students will begin the process of learning the importance of lesson plans and how to create lesson plans for the different curriculum areas found in the early childhood setting. The students will be offered an off-campus clinical rotation in their home-school community after the first 7-8 weeks. This clinical experience*, in conjunction with our class time, will be three days a week and provide hands-on training during the course of the school year. At the conclusion of the year, the students that meet the requirements will be awarded a Level 1 certification through INCCRRA/Illinois Gateways to Opportunity
Health Occupations: This course includes skills to prepare the health science student for a solid foundation in the health care field. The student received instruction in the basic fundamentals of patient care both in theory and clinical practice. The student will develop basic skills in body mechanics, medical asepsis, ethics, safety and medical terminology, as well as personal care of patients. Participation in clinical practice at local health care facilities provides the student with actual hands-on experience in a variety of situations. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be prepared to take the State Certified Nursing Assistant exam. This course is articulated with Joliet Junior College and the Nursing Program. HOSA is an integral part of this program.
Introduction to Information Technology (IIT): This course focuses on computer hardware and software. Students will learn how to build, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot computer hardware and operating system software. Instruction will be given on installing and configuring various operating systems as well as installing, diagnosing, repairing and replacing faulty hardware components. Communication with the customer is also an integral part of the curriculum. Students will develop the skills needed to work in the field of computer maintenance and repair, and the necessary foundational skills to prepare them for a variety of Information Technology fields. A combination of hands-on classroom learning, online curriculum, and text-based content engage students in the real-world tasks of computer maintenance and repair. Keeping up with current trends in technology keeps learners on the cutting-edge of this ever changing field.
Welding: This class trains students for a career in Metal Fabrication. Whether your goal is simply to fabricate ideas in your garage, build your own chopper, fabricate a race car or go on to a career in construction such as an ironworker, pipefitter, heavy equipment operator, sheet metal worker, and auto body repair. This class will teach all types of welding and cutting used readily today such as Plasma Arc Cutting, Oxy Fuel Cutting, Stick Welding, Tig Welding, Mig Welding. You will also possess the knowledge to set up the latest in cutting edge welding equipment for various welding processes and applications. semi-automatic and plasma cutting, weld testing, braze welding, and preparing for/and taking weld tests.