Do you have any students who did not get their top shop choice during exploratory? Are any students in your school wishing they could have been placed elsewhere? If this is familiar to you, join this professional development session to learn more about the possibilities of bringing vocational education to students outside of their vocational program. During this session, participants will learn about the benefits of integrating CTE and academic education. In particular, participants will explore a specific example of what marketing can look like when Graphic Design and Visual Communications students integrate with other academic students during their academic cycle. A curriculum and simulation program will be discussed, and a sample syllabus will be offered.
Intended Outcomes for Participants: Understand the benefits and challenges of integrating academic and vocational content in CTE settings Provide a sample of what integrated education could look like in a shop setting Provide a sample syllabus for use-tomorrow application. Provide and discuss simulation program with embedded academic and vocational skills
This session proposes a hands-on, forward-thinking approach to strengthening workforce readiness by integrating NASA GLOBE smart sensor technologies and AI applications into Vocational and Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs. By equipping students with real-world, data-driven technology skills, this initiative helps prepare a future workforce capable of addressing complex challenges across rapidly evolving technical fields. The session also introduces school administrators to the emerging profession of Sensor Technician—a role gaining traction across industries such as environmental monitoring, public health, smart infrastructure, HVAC, electrical, automotive, agriculture, and more. With the support of low-cost sensor technologies and accessible, open-source platforms, educators can bring this new career path directly into classrooms and shops, while aligning with Massachusetts’ workforce development and CTE priorities. This session also offers MAVA a valuable opportunity to connect with NASA GLOBE, a nationally recognized initiative that supports real-world student engagement and industry-relevant learning.
