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Gateway Academy to Innovation and Technology is a locally-operated career and technical center. In the past few years, Gateway Academy has expanded course offerings to ensure scholars gain essential skills so they can achieve Academic Readiness and/or Technical Readiness.
Gateway Academy participates in the National Academy Foundation and currently has two fully functioning academies. Scholars involved in the academies begin attending Gateway Academy their freshman year and will continue at Gateway through their senior year.
One of the academies is in the area of engineering. Scholars interested in a career in engineering may apply for enrollment in the engineering academy at the end of their eighth grade year. Scholars will take an engineering course, English course, and math course while at Gateway. The engineering classes utilize curriculum from Project Lead the Way (PLTW). Courses include Introduction to Engineering Design, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Principles of Engineering, Engineering Design and Development, and Digital Electronics. We are currently looking to expand our offerings to possibly include Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering and Architecture, and Robotics Design Essentials and Systems. Scholars also have the opportunity to co-op through the engineering program. The math and English classes at Gateway Academy follow the same curriculum maps and standards that a scholar would be exposed to at their home high school. We currently offer Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus. In English course offerings include English I, English II, AP Language and Composition, English IV, and English 101/102 for dual credit. In the math and English classes, scholars will gain insight into how those two subjects in particular tie in to the themes they are studying in engineering. Scholars will have multiple opportunities to present to various audiences and participate in leadership activities.
The second academy at Gateway Academy is in the area of health science. Scholars interested in becoming a RN, LPN, NP should consider applying for the health science academy. Scholars will take a health science course, English course, and science course each year they are enrolled in the health science academy. The health science courses are Principles of Health Science, Emergency Procedures/Medical Terminology, Body Structures and Functions, Allied Health Core Skills, and Medicaid Nurse Aide which is a dual credit course. All of these courses can help scholars work towards earning certification that allows them to enter a nursing program in a school in the state of Kentucky or employment upon graduation. Along with the Medicaid Nurse Aide certification, we offer EKG Technician, Pharmacy Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician certifications within this program. The English courses offered are the same as the engineering academy, and in science scholars are able to take Integrated Science, Biology, Introduction to Chemistry and Physics, and possibly a Chemistry course during their senior year.
Our culinary arts scholars work in Foods and Nutrition and Culinary I and II. In addition to providing meals for Hopkinsville-Christian County Youth Leadership on occasion, these scholars also cater various meeting and community events.
Another opportunity that is very exciting at Gateway Academy is available through our industrial maintenance program. Danfoss has partnered with Gateway Academy to provide both employment and educational opportunities while scholars are still in high school. Scholars enrolled in the industrial maintenance program will be encouraged to interview for apprenticeship positions at Danfoss in the afternoon while attending high school in the morning. It is a competitive process, and most scholars begin earning $10/hour as a high school junior. Once the apprentice has graduated from high school, they will continue working at Danfoss as they work to earn their college degree in an advanced manufacturing field. Scholars in industrial maintenance gain valuable hands-on experience through blueprint reading, applied machining, and machine tool courses.
Gateway Academy is looking to expand this wonderful opportunity into other programs as well including our electricity and welding programs. Electricity scholars learn the basics of wiring, circuitry, and electrical maintenance while enrolled at Gateway Academy. Another area of focus for our electricity scholars is in the area of renewable energy systems. Scholars look at renewable energy forms and the replacement of fossil fuels in our society.
Blueprint reading, gas metal arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, and cutting processes are just a few of the things our welding scholars become proficient in as they move through our welding program. Scholars also utilize their welding skills to create works of art and other items that can be purchased.
Scholars in our biomedical science program never know what they will encounter when they walk into their biomedical classrooms! Curriculum for the biomedical science program also comes from PLTW. In the beginning course, Principles of Biomedical Science, scholars will work all year exploring the concepts of biology and medicine to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person. The second year in the program leads scholars through the human body system as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis in the body. Scholars will follow the life of a fictitious family in the third course, Medical Interventions, as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Biomedical Innovation, the final course, provides scholars with the opportunity to work on an independent project with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility, or research institution. Scholars address topics from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology.
We have added computer science to our Information Technology department. Scholars have the opportunity to take AP Computer Science and possibly earn college credit with a passing score of three or higher on the AP exam. We also offer help desk and systems support management through our IT department. Scholars gain the knowledge to troubleshoot various computer issues. These scholars work closely with the district IT staff and sometimes travel to other schools in the district to help resolve computer issues.
In the transportation education program, scholars learn about every part of an automobile. Times are changing in this area as car maintenance systems are becoming more computerized. An understanding of technology along with the basic knowledge of how to change the oil is a must now for someone interested in this field. In our efforts to continue to provide our scholars with more opportunities, we are in the process of gaining ASE certification for this program.
Gateway Academy to Innovation and Technology is a facility that changes to meet the job demands of our community and state. It's not your Grandpa's trade school anymore!!
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