Article by Jenna Jochum
Automotive, Agriculture, Construction, Drafting and Health Science are popular fields of study around the Norfolk area and that is why Norfolk High is offering a way for students to jump start into their desired profession while still in high school! Different programs will have contrasting criteria and applications that will be reviewed and analyzed in the order of which they are submitted. The Norfolk Career Academies were constructed as an opportunity to bring career awareness and the specific education needed for the field to our students in a time of need for our local and state workforce.
The ideas for most students is that they will begin taking their Career Academy courses as a freshman or sophomore, continue with their program of study during their junior year, and finishing the Career Academy study with their senior "capstone" course. The following staff members from NHS are participating in helping the career academies be successful: Dr. Jeff Hoffman, Jonathan Anderson, Dale Coan, Pat Zach, Burgess Powell, Mrs. Rita Sukup, Mrs. Blair Brink, and Gary Schuurmans.
"We are very excited to offer the Norfolk Career Academies as we see it as an opportunity for our students to take advantage of the passion and talents they possess in areas where there is a real need for a skilled workforce in the 21st century economy," Dr. Hoffman said.
The Agriculture Academy consist of two career pathways: the animal pathway and the plant pathway. They will both strengthen students to become more aware of the global agriculture, food, and natural resource systems. Students will research the diverse world of agriculture and how it relates to our local, state, national and world economy, as well as, obtain knowledge in plant physiology, soil properties, and landscaping techniques. The animal pathway will offer information about animal anatomy and physiology, nutrition, health, genetics and veterinary science. They both have a list of required and recommended courses and are sponsored by: Northeast Community College, Tractor Supply Company, Farmer's Pride Coop, Mitten Brand Cattle, Monsanto, and NHS FFA.
The Automotive Academy will focus on getting familiar with parts and methods on the automobile while obtaining the ability to get hands-on experience in an idealistic environment. When the completion of the course approaches, the students will be able to make appropriate adjustments and measurements concerning the parts of the automobile: including power train, ignition, electrical, brakes, suspension, fuel, and cooling. Course recommendations include: exploring STS freshman year, welding sophomore year, power and energy junior year, and auto technology and technical math senior year. Northeast Community College, Norfolk Transmission, Eastern Auto, Courtesy Ford, Norfolk GM, Firestone Tire, and Cornhusker Auto are all partnered with the Automotive Academy.
The Construction Academy will demonstrate the basic construction techniques and practices. Students will be able to work hands-on and be exposed to various construction tools, construction safety, foundation design, framing techniques, and interior and exterior finish. Also, many of the students will be able to work side-by-side with many businesses to work on large scale construction projects worldwide with multiple companies and workers. Course recommendations include: exploring STS freshman year, Woods I sophomore year, Woods II junior year, and carpentry and technical math senior year. Northeast Community College, Clausen Brothers Construction, Mead Lumber, Beckenhauer Construction, EBM, and Crafts Inc. are hoping to make this experience Construction Academy a success.
The Drafting Academy will present student with the opportunities to learn and study the skills to visualize objects to produce 2D and 3D models of the students' visualizations using software, such as: AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architect, Revit, and Inventor. With completion of this academy field, the student will be able to earn dual credit through Northeast and other colleges. As usual, there are some classes that are needed for one to succeed in career academy: exploring STS freshman year, Drafting I sophomore year, architecture junior year, and Drafting II and technical math senior year. Northeast Community College, Nucor Detailing Center, Norfolk Iron & Metal, Mead Lumber, and Norfolk Specialties will provide the NHS with some drafting tips and skills.
The Health Science Career Academy will give students the ability to apply oneself acquire skills about the history, trends, legalities, and ethics of health care, as well as, receiving information about the infectious disease control and human development and basic medical terminology. Some classes at NHS provide students with ability to receive certification in the CNA course with hands-on training. Beginning as sophomore, students can enroll themselves into Intro into health careers. Junior and senior students can enroll in and human anatomy & physiology and medical terminology, but only as a senior can students take CNA. Northeast Community College and Faith Regional Health Services are sponsors of the Health Services Academy and are willing to supply the students with the necessary needs.
"The academies in Agriculture, Automotive, Construction, Drafting and Health Science will begin next fall 2016. We began taking applications for those five academies in January and will continue taking applications through March. Once an academy is filled, we will no longer take applicants for the fall 2016-17 school year, so I have been encouraging students who have interest to apply as soon as possible. Beginning Fall 2017-18 we will roll out eight more academies in Welding, Early Childhood Development, Food & Nutrition, Accounting & Finance, Marketing, Business Administration & Management, Hospitality & Tourism and Information Technology," Dr. Hoffman said.
See the February 2016 of the Panther Newspaper for other great Articles!
