By Conor Baron
Mashpee High School is constantly trying to allow a plethora of options to both its current students and those coming in. The school and the administration within has really shown their care for innovation and exploration of many different fields throughout the departments. Over the past few years opportunities within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department have skyrocketed. I have taken many classes in the CTE department. I’ve been in classes from digital art to my favorite class, Drafting and Communications, which has allowed me to find the career I am pursuing.
The new developments within the CTE department has led to even a new expansion. This past year there has been a brand new classroom being worked on to help train students in the ways of the medical field. This class will allow any students with an interest in the medical field to gain a realistic and hands-on experience learning many different skills. It has all sorts of simulations, from learning how to take blood to experience and learn EMT work, that will really help give experience and perspective to the students who take this class.
Mashpee High School is constantly trying to allow a plethora of options to both its current students and those coming in. The school and the administration within has really shown their care for innovation and exploration of many different fields throughout the departments. Over the past few years opportunities within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department have skyrocketed. I have taken many classes in the CTE department. I’ve been in classes from digital art to my favorite class, Drafting and Communications, which has allowed me to find the career I am pursuing.
The new developments within the CTE department has led to even a new expansion. This past year there has been a brand new classroom being worked on to help train students in the ways of the medical field. This class will allow any students with an interest in the medical field to gain a realistic and hands-on experience learning many different skills. It has all sorts of simulations, from learning how to take blood to experience and learn EMT work, that will really help give experience and perspective to the students who take this class.
“We have always tried to be a school that had no limit on choices in electives. Mashpee has become well known for being ahead of the educational possibilities and continue to push for new ways of learning for the students of Mashpee and this new room is a perfect getaway to our career elective experiences,” said Mr. Looney, director of the CTE department.
Even beyond the new medical program, the doors are wide open for students to have the freedom to experience different trades, skills, and creativity.
“We gave our students options to explore within so many different fields in this department. But we wanted to have more of a career focus so it wasn't just taking on an elective for an elective’s sake, but more of a way to show the students opportunities within that field to be able to explore further and see how the electives related further to their possible futures,” Mr. Looney said.
Mashpee schools are no stranger to trying to create many possibilities. In the CTE department many new utilities have been made available for students to grasp a further depth and love for each class.
As of early last year there have been several new 3D printers added to Makerspace. From personal experience these printers have allowed for more options in modeling and design.
Having the availability to create a physical model has led to being able to create functional builds, presentable objects to further extend then the one sole 3D printer that was previously being used. For me, being able to make a physical model can really help better understand how something works or how your design will be perceived in another person's eyes.
With the addition of new 3D printers there has been the options of several different materials and colors to allow students to fully capture their ideas. Creative freedom and expression has really increased with the additions.
“Our department has developed a culture within the school of innovation and opportunities for being creative and building it together with the students, the teachers, and the administrators. It's been a valiant effort, and a lot of it has been student-based, to be able to reach those options of learning. We pride ourselves in connectivity and innovation. And that is the way we have always looked at it,” Mr. Looney said.
Outside of 3D printing, different software has been made available to students. This software has allowed for precise 3D planning, animation, digital art, and so much more.
This department has helped me find what I believe to be my dream career. Throughout the curriculum and experiences I have had, it gave me a true love and appreciation for modeling and design while also having these advanced possibilities to further pursue art and experience it from a unique first hand perspective. To anyone who asks me if they should join the CTE department, I tell them how much they will love the department and the passion found within it.