Lamar's CTE Department includes Alissa Godina, Virginia Rowland, Marcial Cavazos, and Joanne Priest.
Digital Media (High School Credit)
This course explores best practices in digital media creation within information technology. Classes will focus on digital photography, audio/video editing, and digital design and animation.
Digital Communications: Yearbook (High School Credit)
Students design and create the school yearbook.
Engineering App Creators (AP) & Innovators and Makers (IM) (Half High School Credit)
AP - Students create mobile apps for phones. They will customize their experience by choosing a problem in the real world that interests them from the areas of health, environment, emergency preparedness, education, community service, and school culture. IM - Students create personally relevant projects. Students will learn about programming for the physical world by blending hardware design and software development using MicroBit circuits. They will design and develop and physical computing device, interactive art installation or wearable, and plan and develop code for microcontrollers that bring their physical designs to life.
Engineering Flight and Space (FS) & Energy and the Environment (EE) (*Yearlong)
FS - The exciting world of aerospace comes alive in this class. Students become engineers as they design, prototype, and test models to learn about the science of flight and what it takes to travel and live in space. They solve real-world aviation and space challenges and plan a mission to Mars. EE – Students are challenged to think big and toward the future as they explore sustainable solutions to our energy needs and investigate the impact of energy on our lives and the world. They use what they’ve learned to design and model alternative energy sources, as well as evaluate options for reducing energy consumption. (YR) *A yearlong class for half a high school credit for 7th and 8th grade. Open to 6th grade with no high school credit
Engineering Magic of Electrons (ME) & Science of Technology (ST) (*Yearlong)
ME - In this class, students examine the behavior and parts of atoms as well as the impact of electricity on the world around them. They learn skills in basic circuitry design and digital electronics. They will build electromagnets, DC motors, and solder nightlights. ST - Science impacts the technology of yesterday, today, and the future. In this unit, students apply the concepts of physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology to activities and projects, including making ice cream, cleaning up an oil spill, and discovering the properties of nano-materials. (YR) *A yearlong class for half of a high school credit for 8th grade.
Engineering - Design & Modeling (DM) and Automation & Robotics (AR) (AKA PLTW: DM/AR) (*Yearlong)
This Project Lead the Way (PLTW) course is a yearlong class for half of high school credit. DM - Students discover and use the design process to develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They use design software to create a virtual image of their designs and produce a portfolio of their innovative solutions. AR - Students use the VEX Robotics platform to design, build, and program real-world objects as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems.
Exploratory CTE: Computer Science/Coding *semester-only
Students will use multiple platforms (HTML/CSS, JavaScript Blocks, RobotC, and a little Python) to create animated stories, interactive games, and problem solving programs. Students will explore how computational thinking can be applied in real life and to formulate a problem so it can be solved by a computer. Naturally, cyber safety, online etiquette and ethics, and the possibilities of a career in the field of computer science will be explored.
Exploratory CTE: Culinary Arts & Hospitality *semester-only
An exploration of various career opportunities in the Culinary and Hospitality industries. Students will investigate academic and/or certification requirements for various careers in the industry, as well as identify steps for an effective job search. Students will also receive hands-on experience through 4-5 cooking labs where students will learn through preparing and eating their dishes.
Exploratory CTE: Engineering *semester-only
An exploration of the STEM disciplines as related to critical thinking and problem solving. Students actively work to solve a range of challenges that help to develop agile thinking and teamwork skills. The engineering design process, 3D modeling, and basic coding principles are introduced.
Exploratory CTE: Media Arts *semester-only
An exploratory course for CTE Arts A/V and Communication classes, focused on learning new software and the professional digital workflow. This is a project-based class in which students work with equipment industry standard software such as Adobe Creative Cloud to create original projects in graphic design, photography, audio/video production, and animation.
Foundations of Cybersecurity (High School Credit) *Yearlong
This course is designed to allow students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to explore fundamental concepts related to the ethics, laws, and operations of cybersecurity. Students will examine trends and operations of cyberattacks, threats, and vulnerabilities. Students will review and explore security policies designed to mitigate risks. The skills obtained in this course prepare students for additional study in cybersecurity.
Fundamentals of Computer Science (High School Credit) *Yearlong
Coding III will continue the student development of basic coding skills while introducing new programming concepts in preparation for possibly taking AP Computer Science in high school. Students will use every day computing tools to learn the problem-solving and reasoning skills which are the foundation of computer science. They will explore digital citizenship by researching current laws and regulations and practicing cyber-security and integrity.
Introduction to Culinary Arts (High School Credit) *Yearlong
Emphasizes the principles of planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling the management of a variety of food service operations. The course will provide insight into the operation of a well-run restaurant. Introduction to Culinary Arts will provide insight into kitchen safety, food production skills, and various levels of industry management and hospitality.
Ms. Leni Gillespie is Lamar's Culinary Arts teacher.
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Lifetime Wellness and Nutrition (High School Credit) *Semester only
This is a laboratory course that allows students to use principles of lifetime wellness and nutrition to help them make informed choices that promote wellness, while also learning about careers related to hospitality and tourism, education and training, human services, and health sciences.
Media/Animation (*Yearlong)
This is a yearlong class that introduces students to the basics of creating original, multimedia projects ranging from hands-on assignments to digital animations and short movies. Students study computer and media literacy, history of film/animation, and project management through a series of creative assignments including flip books, Photoshop animations, Claymation, and short movie productions.
Photography Careers
This is a hands on beginning photography course that teaches students how to use a DSLR camera, use the rules of photographic composition, how to use Adobe Photoshop, and explores the skills needed for a wide variety of photographic careers. Our students work with the Canon Rebel T3 DSLR cameras. They have assignments that help them to apply all of the different functions of the camera. The rules of photographic composition are incorporated into the artistic use of photography. Students use Adobe Photoshop to perform a variety of techniques that are used to improve and enhance their images. When studying the photographic Careers; students learn to use studio equipment, green screens, and scanners. They also look at Sports Photography, Photojournalism, Commercial Photography and Freelance Photography. All student work is digital and students maintain a digital portfolio. Our students are encouraged to participate in Jr. VASE (UIL for middle school Art) along with other competitive opportunities.
Principles of Arts, A/V
(prerequisite: Keyboarding, Graphic Design, Photography, Multimedia/Animation, OR Video Game Design; High School Credit) Principles of Arts and AV is a high school credit course that builds on skills practiced in previous CTE courses. During this year long class, students create varied media projects which include photography, animation, video production, and audio production. This course serves as an introductory class for further Arts and AV study in high school. Students become familiar with careers and current technologies in the world of Arts and Audio & Video production.
Professional Communications (High School Credit) *Semester only
This course is designed for students to develop and expand the ability to write, read, edit, speak, listen, apply software applications, manipulate computer graphics, and conduct internet research. Professional communication blends written, oral, and graphic communication in a career-based environment. Careers in the global economy require individuals to be creative and have a strong background in computer and technology applications, a strong and solid academic foundation, and a proficiency in professional oral and written communications.
Web Communications (High School Credit)
Students employ creativity and innovation to create and design a web site. Students explore web design and development through analysis of design and through implementation of digital applications. Students research current technologies in web design and information literacy, practice digital citizenship, and a comprehensive understanding of web design.
Nondiscrimination Statement
The Austin Independent School District offers career and technical education sequences of coursework based on the sixteen federally defined Career Clusters. Admission to these courses is based on interest and aptitude, age appropriateness, and class space availability. It is the policy of the Austin Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap in its vocational programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.