Chesterfield Governor's Career & Technical Academy for Engineering Studies
Project Lead: Chesterfield County Public Schools
Program Focus: This program, located at Lloyd C. Bird High School, offers students two opportunities to pursue engineering studies. There is the science and mathematics pathway for those who want to pursue an engineering career and the engineering technology program.
Partners: Chesterfield County Public Schools; American Society of Civil Engineers; Austin, Brockenbrough and Associates, L.L.P.; Northrop Grumman; John Tyler Community College; Mazda North American Operations; McDonough, Bolyard and Peck, Inc.; Core Consulting; Bon Secours; and St. Francis Medical Center.
Application: Board Of Education Approved Governor’s Academy Application (PDF)
Partnership Members: Chesterfield County Public Schools; American Society of Civil Engineers; Austin, Brockenbrough and Associates, L.L.P.; Northrop Grumman; John Tyler Community College; Mazda North American Operations; McDonough, Bolyard and Peck, Inc.; Core Consulting; Bon Secours; and St. Francis Medical Center
Lead Entity: Chesterfield County Public Schools
Fiscal Agent: Chesterfield County Public Schools
Mr. Robert Benway, Director
L.C. Bird High School
10301 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield, Virginia 23832
Phone: 804-768-6110 ext. 3064
The Governor's Career and Technical Academy for Engineering Studies
Lloyd C. Bird High School
10301 Courthouse Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Number of Students Served: Approximately 250 students, grades 9-12, will be enrolled in the Academy for the 2009-2010 school year. Future plans are in place to expand and grow both pathways in the program to ultimately serve 400 students.
Career Pathways: Science and Mathematics, Engineering Technology
Academy Goals and Description: Chesterfield County's goal is to provide a program of studies that allows students to explore a wide range of engineering and engineering technology fields, while building an understanding of the core skills necessary to enhance students' ability to find success in higher education and the 21st century workplace. The rigorous academic curriculum is centered on lab experiences to better prepare students for a rapidly changing technologically based field.
The objectives of the Science and Mathematics career pathway and the Engineering Technology career pathway are to provide:
- Opportunities to take advanced classes in mathematics, science and other core-content courses that will result in college credit while in high school;
- A constant utilization of integrated computer skills;
- A basis of practical understanding of engineering through an emphasis on design projects;
- A detailed overview of expectations in a variety of engineering and engineering technology fields;
- Opportunities for field experiences to foster a deeper understanding of the correlation between class work and the work environment; and
- Information to help students make more informed decisions about their future educational and career plans.
Highlights of the Academy: Through participation in the Science and Mathematics pathway and the Engineering Technology pathway, students will:
- Graduate earning an advanced diploma;
- Meet the requirements for the Commonwealth Scholars course of study;
- Gain an understanding of the various fields of engineering and engineering technology;
- Develop an appreciation of the correlations between classroom, laboratory, and field studies;
- Develop workforce readiness skills that greatly enhance written and oral communication skills;
- Experience an opportunity for job shadowing, internships, and/or mentorships;
- Develop a solid basis of problem solving and teamwork skills;
- Receive a unique background that enables students to make a more informed choice about their future goals; and
- Gain an advantage over other students who would be entering the engineering educational tract at the community college or university level and taking engineering courses for the first time.