Center for Advanced Technologies

Lakewood High School

AGENDA

  • Introductions
  • Mission & Vision
  • Block Schedule
  • CAT Overview
  • Clubs & Sports
  • CAT Admin, Guidance
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Engineering (Robotics)
  • Math
  • Student Experience
  • How to Apply
  • Virtual Tours
    (Created by CAT students)

Our Mission is to provide quality application-based learning opportunities in a state-of-the-art supportive environment integrating mathematics, science and technology through student research.
 

The Vision of Lakewood High School is to prepare our students for a competitive global society.

Block Schedule

1st block 7:10 - 8:35
Passing time 8:35 - 8:45
2nd block 8:45 - 10:10
Passing time 10:10 - 10:20
3rd block 10:20 - 11:45
Passing time 11:45 - 11:55
4th block 11:55 - 1:20
Lunch 1:20 - 1:55

8 periods over two days.
90 minute classes
 

A "Black" Day Schedule
(Periods 1,3,5, and 7)


B "Gold" Day Schedule
(Periods 2,4,6, and 8)

Offering a rigorous 4-year academic program emphasizing:

  • Advanced mathematics
  • Advanced science
  • Computer applications/programming
  • Multimedia/television production
  • Scientific research
  • Cybersecurity
  • Robotics

AP chemistry student is using his knowledge of 3D printing from Robotics to design and create molecular models that can be used to help students understand the 3-dimensional shapes of molecules.

Points of Pride

  • One to one tablet initiative
  • One of the three best-represented programs in the country for National Merit finalists, Commended Scholars, Achievement Scholars.
  • Morning news show, Fastforward, judged best high school news show in the nation.
  • 4 year Engineering/Robotics honors program
  • Leads all Pinellas schools w/ industry certs.
  • Academic coaching
  • Microsoft Showcase School

CAT Admin Office

1400 54th Ave. S
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
(727) 893-2926

CAT Admin Staff

Coordinator- Ms. Calderon
Secretary- Mrs. Mitchell-Brown
Guidance Counselor- Ms. Ashwood

4 yr Plan

Science Technology Engineering Math

Science

9th 10th 11th 12th
Physics I Honors Bio I Hon & Chem I Hon AP Science & Lab Elective of choice

CAT Science Teachers
Mr. Frewin, Ms. Pacowta & Ms. Sasserath

Science Course Descriptions

 

Physics I Honors

Biology I Honors

Chemistry I Honors

At least 1 AP Science (double-blocked course)   

“The CAT science program didn't just teach me about science, but also taught me to like science.”

AP Chem & AP Bio

AP Chemistry is equivalent to an introductory college-level general chemistry course. Students learn about the fundamental concepts of chemistry including structure and states of matter, intermolecular forces, and reactions. You’ll do hands-on lab investigations and use chemical calculations to solve problems. This course is double-blocked to provide adequate time to address the required components of science practices and course content. Students have the potential to earn college credit by earning a qualifying score on the AP chemistry exam in May.

 

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions. This course is double-blocked to provide adequate time to address the required components of science practices and course content. The AP Biology course is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology course for biology majors. Students have the potential to earn college credit by earning a qualifying score on the AP chemistry exam in May.

Technology

9th 10th 11th 12th
Digital Info Tech/ IT Fundamentals  Programming or Cybersecurity or
Digital Media & CATCOM
AP Computer Science
or
Cybersecurity II or
Network Operations
CAT Tech Elective of choice
(must be taken for CAT Designation)

CAT Technology Teachers
Mr. Schnell, Mr. Tencza, Mr. Schneider & Mr. Borg

Ask them about industry certs!

Tech Course Descriptions

Tech Pathways-
DIT /IT Fundamentals

+ 3 Tech Classes

1. Applied Cyber Security

2. Digital Media Tech

3. Network Systems Admin

4. .NET App & Programming

 

Applied Cybersecurity

Cyber 1 – Computer and Network Security Fundamentals (Honors)

Cyber 2 – Cybersecurity Essentials (Honors)

Cyber 3 – Operational Cybersecurity (Honors)

                CompTIA Security+ Industry Certification

Cyber 4 – Applied Cybersecurity Applications (Honors)

                EC-Council CF|A Cyber Forensics Associate

                EC-Council EH|A Ethical Hacker Associate

Students in the Cyber 2-4 become members of the local AFCEA (Air Force Communications & Electronics Association) high school group. In addition to an annual Capture-the-Flag Cyber challenge, the group coordinates various field trips to MacDill’s SCOM and CentCom, Florida Cyber Convention, Sofwerx, and Local FBI/Secret Service. Student use the NICE Challenge developed by California State University – San Bernardino to develop security skills.

Bio- A Florida native, Ron Schnell is a life-long security educator bridging the divide between physical security as a professional martial arts instructor and technology as the cybersecurity instructor for CAT. Graduating from USF with his Bachelor’s in Mass Communication, Schnell continues to add to his skill set with multiple industry certifications and an Associate’s in Cybersecurity (projected 2021). “My philosophy for teaching is what’s called edutainment, says Schnell. “If I can keep the student engaged, they embrace the material on an internal level.”

Digital Media

Digital Media 1,2 & 3-
In this course, students will learn how to use Adobe Photoshop. They will have the opportunity to obtain an Adobe certification.

Two entries in the Global Character Animator Contest! Theme: Solve COVID-19 using Adobe.

Morning Show

CATCOM Students write, create and produce Fast Forward, Lakewood's daily morning show.

Subscribe on youtube!

youtube.com/c/LakewoodHigh 

Network Systems Administration

Network Admin 1,2,3 & 4-
Being part of the Network Operations team means two things: creative problem solving and the willingness to learn, the latter of which is far more important. Creative problem solving in the network room, as students will quickly learn, is a vital asset and a skill that once developed, becomes an IT Swiss Army Knife. Not only will this knowledge apply to troubleshooting everyday problems, but also to more complicated fixes when you cannot just reformat and start from scratch. The second aspect is the willingness to learn. This trait is vital, simply because of the amount of new information, technology, and processes students will be exposed to and expected to learn alongside the formal Microsoft IT Academy course work made available. Remember this fact: no one expects you to know what WireShark is or how to add a job to Windows Deployment Services, but students must be willing to learn from the network administrator or the senior assistants and retain the knowledge. In short, network assistants must not only hear what is being said, they must also listen.

More info: click here

.NET Application/ Computer Programming

Foundations of Programming & Procedural Programming-
In this course, students learn C#, as well as other topics including HTML, CSS, and SQL. Students will have the opportunity to earn a Microsoft Technology Associate certification in Software Development Fundamentals and possibly Database Fundamentals.

  • Required (Also counts toward CAT's requirement of 4 technology classes).
  • Prerequisite: Digital Information Technology.
  • Grade typically taken: 10.

AP Computer Science-
Students will learn Java programming as they prepare to take the AP Computer Science exam. This course is an equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science.

  • Counts towards CAT's requirement of 4 technology classes.
  • Prerequisite: Programming.
  • Grade typically taken: 11.

Engineering

9th 10th 11th 12th
Robotics I Robotics II Robotics III Robotics IV

CAT Engineering Teacher
Mr. Ness

Robotics Course Descriptions

Title Sequence Level
Robotics 1 - Foundations of Robotics Year 1 Honors
Robotics 2 - Robotic Design Essentials Year 2 Honors
Robotics 3 - Robotic Systems Year 3 Honors
Robotics 4 - Robotic Applications Capstone Year 4 Honors

Bio- Jason Ness was born and raised in San Diego California, before moving to St. Petersburg to attend college.  He graduated from Eckerd College with a degree in Business Management; and for a few years he ran his own company as an electrician and diesel engine mechanic, before going beck to school to become a teacher.  He started at Lakewood in 2004 in the math department, then switched to physics, which eventually led him to start the Applied Robotics program at CAT.  Mr. Ness likes that robotics combines academic skills like math and programming with hands-on skills like building and trouble shooting.  He also uses his experience running a small company to help prepare students for the real-world challenges they will experience after high school.

Applied Robotics Program – Our Applied Robotics program is a four-year sequence of honors classes that take students from basic mechanics to large-scale design projects involving advance programming skills.  Students are not required to finish all four years; however, three years of Robotics will satisfy the CAT technology sequence requirement.

 

Year 1: Foundations of Robotics - This class focuses on the mechanical, electrical, and control aspects of robotic design.  Students will build six robots throughout the year to compete in various challenges aligned with the lesson material.  The curriculum is coordinated with what students are learning as freshman in Algebra II and Physics.  Units include: Math and Machines, Gears and Motion, Statics and Mechanics, Electricity and Electronics, Energy and Control, and Sensors and Logic. 

 

Year 2: Robotic Design Essentials - This class focuses on logic, programming, and sensor use in robotic design.  Students will build four robots throughout the year, each one using sensors, programming, and autonomous operation.  Students will also learn the basics of 3D design and printing using Autodesk software.  The curriculum is aligned with the sophomore computer programming class.  Units include: Basic Robotics Programming, Advanced Robotic Programming, Advanced Sensors, Motion and Control, and 3D design.  

 

4 Industry Certifications:  Students will have the opportunity to earn certifications in RECF Pre-Engineering, RECF Robotics, Autodesk Inventor User, and Autodesk Inventor Professional.

 

Year 3: Robotics Systems - This class is designed to immerse students in various robotic platforms and programming languages.  Students design and develop their own projects using the microcontroller that best fits their design goals.  Students will design and print a unique object with CAD software and our 3D printers.  Students will also program and fly our custom quadcoters as part of their UAV certifications.  Current Platforms include: Vex V5, Vex IQ, Vex Cortex, Lego EV3, PixHawk, Arduino, Arduino 32bit, Netduino, Raspberry Pi, EZ-Robot. 

 

3 Industry Certifications:  Students will have the opportunity to earn certifications in AutoDesk Fusion 360, as well as USI Small UAV Safety and USI Visual Line-of-Sight Operator drone certifications.

 

Year 4: Robotics Applications Capstone - This is a design development class with student-driven projects; these projects should be large and long term.  Students will look at the entire design cycle, including financing and trouble-shooting.  Many of these projects will be grant-funded, and students will be a part of the grant writing process.  In this final year, students will complete their individual Robotic Design Portfolio, a document they have been building all four years.  This student portfolio is a huge asset as they apply to college and seek to differentiate themselves from other students competing for internships and careers.

 

4 Industry Certifications:  Students will have the opportunity to earn certifications in Solidworks CSWA, AutoCAD User, AutoCAD Professional, and FAA Part 107 Commercial UAV Operator.

Math

9th 10th 11th 12th
Algebra II Honors Geometry Honors PreCalculus Honors AP Calculus or AP Statistics

CAT Math Teachers
Ms. Ostrowski, Mrs. Smith & Mrs. Hester

Math Course Descriptions

Course Progression: Algebra 2  Geometry
Pre-Calculus
AP Calculus AB (and/or AP Statistics) – AP Calculus BC (and/or AP Statistics)

PRECALCULUS

 

Precalculus is a course that combines reviews of algebra, geometry, and functions into a preparatory course for calculus. The course focuses on the mastery of critical skills and exposure to new skills necessary for success in subsequent math courses.
Course Progression: After Geometry and Algebra 2; Prior to Calculus

 

AP CALCULUS

 

AP Calculus is an introductory college-level calculus course that covers Calculus 1 and portions of Calculus 2. Students cultivate their understanding of differential and integral calculus through engaging with real-world problems represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally and using definitions and theorems to build arguments and justify conclusions as they explore concepts like change, limits, and the analysis of functions.
Course Progression: After Precalculus

Mrs. Hester believes that mathematics is best learned in a community setting and enjoys discussing mathematical concepts. She is passionate about the beauty in mathematical structures and works each day to inspire students to view the subject that way as well.

Mrs. Smith is a Mathematics and Physics teacher who has been a Lakewood Spartan for 9 years. She is originally from Canton, Ohio, went to college at the Clarion University of Pennsylvania to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics, and then attended the University of South Florida to earn a Master’s degree in Education Leadership. Mrs. Smith builds a classroom culture of inclusivity and collaboration where all students are held to high expectations for their learning and academic progress. While teaching to the unique learning styles of all students, she also helps them to develop skills for college and career readiness. 

Ms. Ostrowski is a mathematics teacher that has been part of the Lakewood family for 7 years. As an algebra II teacher, she loves teaching the foundation of higher level mathematics and watching her students develop into critical thinkers. When they return for AP Calculus, she enjoys relating the content to real world applications so they can see their math come to life!

How to apply

More info...

The classes that are unique to CAT (like robotics, system administration, and programming) along with the passion of the educators who teach them are what make the program so valuable to students who want to further their knowledge in depth and breadth of science and technology. At CAT, advanced classes and project-based learning encourage students to challenge themselves. It also fosters a flexible learning environment that is geared toward what the students need. - CAT Graduate

Virtual Tours

Created by: CAT Students

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