Boulder Valley School District
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Bond improvements expand opportunities for students to prepare for college and careers

Boulder TEC students in kitchen
Susan Cousins

Image: Students working in the new STEM lab at Broomfield Heights Middle School.
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A little more than a quarter of the $42 Million invested in school construction projects this summer, was invested in new construction and renovations aimed at expanding and enhancing learning spaces where students can experience hands-on learning and develop knowledge and skills directly related to potential future careers. One of the big goals of the current capital construction program approved by voters in 2022 is to invest in learning environments that will support and expand the work of BVSD’s Accelerate program which aims to help students explore and prepare for their post high school journeys with work-based skills, industry certifications, and college credit. 

This past summer, approximately $12.3M in Accelerate projects were completed at middle and high schools in Lafayette and Broomfield and at BVSD’s Culinary Center. 

BVSD’s CTE master plan, which was completed through a collaborative process last year and was heavily influenced by input from local industry and employers, identified a number of career pathways, each of which is the focus of the Accelerate programs at middle and high schools. 

Engineering student success at Centaurus
At Centaurus High School, a new, single-story addition to the school’s Engineering wing features a woodshop with mills and a CNC machine and 3D printing for prototyping as well as a Mac Lab with dual boot capabilities so students can learn multiple programming languages such as Java and Python. 

According to Catherine Barnes, coordinator of the Engineering program at Centaurus, the additional space means more students will be able to participate in practical, skills-based education, particularly in a variety of engineering disciplines, including mechanical, aerospace, biotech, and civil, as well as cybersecurity, computer science, and more. The new tools and expanded space will make it possible to take on larger, more complex projects, enriching the overall educational experience.

The additional space was needed to accommodate demand for the popular program. All 12 classes in the pathway are currently fully enrolled. Over the past 20 years, the program has grown significantly and now involves 600 students, representing around 40 percent of the school’s total enrollment. 

According to Barnes, this project was the realization of a dream for the Engineering staff, who played a significant role in designing the space through CAD models. 

“It's an inspiring example of educators shaping the future of their school and students, enhancing not only technical skills but also creativity and collaboration.” Barnes commented. 

Aligning with the Engineering program at Centaurus, existing classrooms at Angevine were upgraded with lighting, furniture, and equipment to create a space for STEAM (STEM + Art) learning that will introduce students to engineering design and analytical thinking. Students whose interest is sparked can continue their journey of discovery and transition into the expanded Engineering pathway at Centaurus. 

Things are cooking at Angevine and Boulder TEC
Also at Angevine, the Life Studies room was updated with new furniture and kitchen appliances. Students who discover a spark for cooking might choose to continue to explore their interest in the Boulder TEC Culinary Arts program which just moved into a professional kitchen at the Culinary Center on the BVSD Education Center campus. Earlier this month, Culinary Arts students experienced the fun of an HGTV-style big reveal as they entered the new teaching kitchen for the first time. 

WATCH: Culinary Arts students walk into their new kitchen for the first time 

“I’m so excited to be able to learn here. It’s going to be so fun!” Culinary Arts student Silas Dare exclaimed. “I’m excited for the endless possibilities this brings so many students.”

The new kitchen features professional-grade cooking equipment, a walk-in refrigerator and freezer, multiple prep and cook stations as well as multiple monitors around the room to view demonstrations. Up to now, the students have been learning in a small, retro-fitted, former preschool room.  

“What a proud moment for our school district,” Superintendent Rob Anderson told the students. “You are going to learn amazing things in this kitchen, and we can’t wait for you to get to use it.” 

Dare is hoping to own her own restaurant one day. She said the new kitchen “Equips you for what a real kitchen would look like and what culinary school would look like.” She is excited to learn the skills she needs “to go out and work in a real kitchen.” 

That is exactly what the Accelerate program aims to do. As part of the Grad+ framework, BVSD’s career and technical education program expands graduates' skill sets by providing students with learning opportunities and credentials that offer a head start on a career, postsecondary education, or both. 

New opportunities constructed at Boulder TEC and Broomfield schools
Not far from the teaching kitchen, another new learning facility will open soon. Boulder Mod is a manufacturing facility that will produce modular homes that will be installed locally and will be permanently affordable. Individual modules are fully constructed at the facility and then installed onsite as individual units or combined side by side or stacked to make larger configurations.  

The project is a partnership among Boulder Valley School District, the City of Boulder, and Habitat for Humanity. The city provided funding to construct the factory and purchase necessary equipment, BVSD provided the land for the factory and Habitat will manage and staff the facility. Additionally, students in related Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs across the district will have the opportunity to work alongside Habitat staff and volunteers to get hands-on learning experience in construction and manufacturing.

"This partnership is exciting because of what it will do for Boulder Valley School District students and for our community, " said Nicole Rajpal, Board of Education president. “We know our students crave authentic learning experiences. This project lets them gain valuable skills, through hands-on learning, while making a difference in their local world."

Working at the modular factory through the Construction Trades program at Boulder TEC could be a natural next step for students in the Infrastructure and Applied Technology CTE pathway at Broomfield Heights Middle School and Broomfield High School. Both schools also benefited from investment of Bond funding this past summer. 

At Broomfield High, the Construction Trades classroom was reconfigured to improve functionality and safety, and was outfitted with new building trades equipment. New finishes such as flooring and paint, along with new lighting, go a long way toward giving the space an updated feel. Along with improving the usability for current Applied Technology students, the hope is that the improved spaces will attract more students to the program. 

Also, this summer, the Broomfield High School Choir room was moved closer to other performing arts classrooms. Next summer, a multipurpose CTE space will be constructed in the former Choir room to be used by Business classes. 

Over at Broomfield Heights Middle School, the Design Technology lab was updated with new furniture, equipment, paint and lighting. New ceiling power drops were installed along with other equipment such as a chop saw, laser engraver and robotics table. To show off the work of students and inspire others to participate, display cases were constructed in the corridor and wall graphics were installed in the classroom and carried into the corridor. 

Learn more about the Accelerate improvements happening in the Building for Student Success program.
 


 

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