high sChOOL PROgRAMs
High School
Liftoff
DesiGN your high
school courses to get
your science, Technology,
engineering & mathematics
career off the ground.
hErE ArE the programs of
Keys to success
study available within the science,
Right now in Texas, students just like
Technology, engineering &
Salinas are focusing their high school studies
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mathematics cluster in Texas high
on Science, Technology, Engineering &
schools.* The state has created
Mathematics. Preparation for a career in
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models for each of these areas.
the cluster should start with rigorous
academic courses.
o
These documents detail high
school classes you might take,
Math and science are the most important
classes for this cluster. Students in Science,
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extended learning opportunities,
and postsecondary programs.
B
enjamin Salinas loved math from an
early age. “In seventh grade I took
Algebra and, at that time, a lot of my Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
R
To download them, visit www.
friends were very much into math,” he programs of study should take four years
achievetexas.org/implementation.
recalls. “To this day, I still like math a of advanced math and four years of
A
htm and click on the cluster icon
great deal.” advanced science.
Then came an experience that changed In math, the recommended courses are
M
for the area that interests you.

his direction in life. During his freshman Algebra I and II and Geometry, as well
SCiENCE ANd MATh
year at the Science Academy of South Texas as Calculus or Statistics, depending on
(SciTech), a magnet school in Mercedes, which career program of study you choose
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Those who choose careers in this field
plan, manage, and provide research
Salinas took Introduction to Engineering to pursue. In science, the recommended
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and professional services. Their goal is
Design, the first class in a series of courses courses are Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
to improve our understanding of the
designed by Project Lead The Way (see For the fourth science, a number of options
o
natural world.
“Spotlight” on next page). are available, including Earth and Space
“My dad studied engineering at college,” Science, Environmental Systems,
F
ENGiNEEriNG ANd TEChNOLOGy
Salinas says, “but I had no idea what an and Engineering.
engineer did. It was in that class that I first
I
careers in this field involve problem
solving in design and development
said, ‘Oh, okay, this is what engineering is Career Electives
L
of products and systems. Individuals
all about.’” In addition to academic studies,
pursuing these careers evaluate problems
Salinas discovered he loved engineering, it is recommended that you take
E
to develop and test solutions and provide
completed the Project Lead The Way career-related electives. These
program at SciTech, and is now studying classes give you specialized
S
advice and consultation.
at the Franklin W. Olin College of knowledge and hands-on
Engineering in Needham, Massachusetts. experience in your chosen
* Not all schools offer all programs of study or
“Looking back,” he says, “I think it was program of study.
clusters. ask your counselor which programs are
available at your school.
vitally important that I got engineering Students in the Science,
experience at SciTech before I went to Technology, Engineering &
college. In fact, I’m certain I wouldn’t be Mathematics cluster follow
where I am today if I hadn’t gone there.” one of two programs of
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