Let’s cut to the chase. Do students enrolled in career and technical education programs have to think critically? Absolutely! While on the surface, one may think that CTE students are “only” learning discrete skills, the reality is, there is much critical thinking and problem solving that happens along the way. And within that problem solving and critical thinking, we can find the applied academics. Math is embedded, science is embedded. So what do you see in the examples below?
- A customer enters the Cosmetology salon and wishes to color her hair. The cosmetologist must assess the client’s hair and create a chemical solution to create the desired effect.
- Bridges are welded together, and over time those welds break. Why? What makes a good, strong weld?
- To create a metal widget, machining requires selecting a hunk of material and identifying the processes to machine it to the desired widget.
- Chefs create culinary delights by combining new ingredients pleasing to our palettes.
- Medical professionals routinely problem-solve to provide care for the aged and infirmed.
- Accountants provide guidance to help us manage our money.
- Entrepeneurs create small business opportunities, employing others.
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