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STEM Pathway

To complete a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Arvada West students must complete a minimum of two years in any of the below courses.

Students more interested in STEM should look at these specific courses:

  • Engineering 1
  • Engineering 2
  • Robotics and Automated Systems

Students interested in coding should consider these specific courses:

  • AP Computer Science Principles
  • AP Computer Science A

STEM Pathway Courses

Engineering 1

  • Credit: 0.5 per semester
  • Semester course
  • Prerequisite: None
  • Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Fee associated with course

Engineering 1 students will understand how to work in design teams and implement the engineering design process on a variety of challenges. By engaging in the design process students will understand how to define problems, define and consider criteria and constraints, develop potential solutions, prototype and test solutions and improve upon their designs as well as the role of reverse engineering. Throughout the design process, students will also develop technical skills such as technical sketching, drawing and writing, beginning computer modeling (CAD), beginning programming, measurement and statistical analysis. Career exploration of a variety of engineering disciplines is also a key component of this course.

Engineering 2

  • Credit: 0.5 per semester
  • Full-year course
  • Prerequisite: Engineering 1 or equivalent middle school intro to engineering class
  • Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Fee associated with course

Engineering 2 students will build upon and apply the design process introduced in year 1 through larger sustained engineering projects. They will begin to apply scientific, technical and mathematical content to their designs, consider the implications of control systems on design solutions and evaluate design solutions against decision matrices considering elements such as material properties, energy and resource usage and manufacturing processes. Sustainable design will be introduced by considering economic, environmental and social criteria and constraints. Students will also apply the technical skills introduced in year 1 to their design solutions, such as technical drawing and writing, CAD design, computer programming, measurement and statistical analysis. Throughout this course, students will create more refined, detailed and accurate products and will demonstrate the interconnectedness of these skills through their portfolio documentation.

Robotics and Automated Systems

  • Credit: 0.5 per semester
  • Semester course
  • Prerequisite: None
  • Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Fee associated with course

Robotics and Automated Systems is an applied course for students who wish to explore how robots and automated systems are used in industry. Upon completion of this course, students will have an understanding of the historical and current uses of robots and automated systems; programmable circuits, interfacing both inputs and outputs; ethical standards for engineering and technology professions; and testing and maintenance of robots and automated systems.

AP Computer Science Principles

  • Course IDs: 10019H05012 and 10019H05022
  • Credit: 0.5 (1 credit per year)
  • Full-year course
  • Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Fee: AP exam

AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course. Students cultivate their understanding of computer science through working with data, collaborating to solve problems and developing computer programs as they explore concepts like creativity, abstraction, data and information, algorithms, programming, the internet and the global impact of computing. Students must take the AP exam in May. Read more about the course.

AP Computer Science A

  • Course IDs: 10157H05012 and 10157H05022
  • Credit: 0.5 (1 credit per year)
  • Full-year course
  • Prerequisite: Completion of AP Computer Science Principles with a C or better or approval by teacher
  • Grade: 10, 11, 12
  • Fee: AP exam

AP Computer Science A is an introductory college-level computer science course. Students cultivate their understanding of coding through analyzing, writing, and testing code as they explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures. Students must take the AP Exam in May. Read more about the course.