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Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Career Exploration at Southwest Middle School

Through our Paxton/Patterson Labs, students take part in exciting hands-on learning across 12 modules designed to match their interests and build skills for future success. These courses help students prepare for high school, explore career pathways, and develop real-world skills that last a lifetime.

Students can explore careers in technology, trades, health, and human services through programs such as:

  • Career Exploration: Technology/Trades – Take part in activities that teach about careers in Computer Science, IT and Technology; Construction and Manufacturing; and Transportation and Public Safety using the Paxton Patterson Learning Lab. Learn about your skills, values, and interests. Explore different career paths, education, and training options. Find the best and most affordable way to reach your career goals and discover ways to prepare while at school.
  • Career Exploration: Health and Human Services – Take part in activities that teach about careers in Health Science and Family and Consumer Sciences using the Paxton Patterson Learning Lab. Learn about your own skills, values, and interests. Explore different career paths, education, and training options. Find out the best and most affordable way to reach your career goals and discover ways to prepare while at school.
  • PLTW Gateway: Design and Modeling – Students learn about the design process and how creativity and new ideas affect their lives. Then, they use what they’ve learned to design a special toy for a child with cerebral palsy.
  • Keyboarding and Word Processing – Get better at typing using the touch method. Practice making simple documents with the right format. Build strong typing skills to use technology well.
  • Computer Science Discoveries I – Solve puzzles, challenges, and real-life problems by using problem-solving steps. Learn how computers take in, store, and share information to help people. Create your own content and post it on a webpage using HTML and CSS.
  • Computer Science Discoveries II – Create animations, art, and games by coding in Game Lab. Build apps from simple shapes to advanced games with moving characters. Improve problem-solving by making programs that help others.

Our career exploration opportunities give students a strong foundation for the future in a fun and engaging way.