HEB ISD School & Family Magazine Winter 2015 | Page 15

Gene A . Buinger Career and Technical Education Academy
A GROWING OPPORTUNITY The Gene A . Buinger Career and Technical Education Academy provides first class career and vocational training for HEB ISD students in grades 10-12 . Completed in August 2014 , the academy is an expansive facility at 146,127 square feet with lots of room to grow . Student learn skills in multiple areas including aerospace , animation , architecture , audio / video production , automotive technology , business and marketing , career preparation , collision repair , computer technology , cosmetology , culinary arts , digital art , education , engineering , forensics , health science , law and public safety .
In addition to facility space growth , new courses and additional staff were added in 5 different program areas this year . In just its second year , student enrollment is growing as well with the average daily attendance rising to over 2,000 students , an increase of over 500 from last year .
Courses offered in each of these areas range from basic to advanced enabling students to chase their dream from a basic level without experience . The courses allow students to participate in hands-on learning and experience real world scenarios utilizing state of the art equipment and the latest in technology .
Two program areas of note that continue to excel include Health Science Education and Audio / Video Production .
HEALTH SCIENCE EDUCATION The Health Science program offers students opportunities to learn and experience health care in our state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories as well as in the community . Courses include anatomy and physiology , introduction to medical science , clinical rotations and practicum , phlebotomy certification , medical terminology , pharmacology , pharmacy technician training , and new to the program this year , counseling and mental health .
National certification opportunities include CPR for the Healthcare Provider , Career Safe OSHA Certification , Certified Pharmacy Technician , and Certified Phlebotomist .
Students may also participate in a leadership organization specifically designed for students of Health Science . This organization holds monthly meetings with medical professionals as guest speakers and allows students to perform community service and compete in medical skills contests . Students who have completed the health science program have gone on to become physicians , nurses , dentists , paramedics , physical therapists , and many other types of health care professionals .
AUDIO / VIDEO PRODUCTION Students interested in A / V production experience hands-on training in the state of the art Buinger CTE Academy video production studio . In a field that is constantly changing and evolving , training and instruction is kept fresh , relevant and current by involving guest speakers from the professional video industry .
Advanced students will work closely with HEB ISD ’ s Pennington Field staff to assist with high school sports coverage this year . They formed a comprehensive team managing and assisting all aspects of video production for Pennington Field and the National Federation High School Sports Network ( NFHS Sports ). With this partnership , students create and share animations and video during sporting events to enhance the viewing experiences for those watching online .
All A / V Production advanced students will also have the opportunity to compete in various national and statewide video festivals this year including the internationally acclaimed South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin during the winter trimester .
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