CASE STUDY 3
Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration ROCKY MOUNT, VIRGINIA
The mission of the Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration in Rocky Mount, Virginia, is to prepare eighth- and ninth-grade students for the workforce of the twenty-first century. The center brings together curriculum development; state-of-the-art hardware and software; parent and industry involvement; and a new building designed to help instill technology in learning.
On a typical school day, students spend half of their time at their “home” school and the other half at the center. There they have an opportunity to investigate eight career tracks: arts, engineering and architectural design, environmental and natural resources, finance, health and human services, legal science, aerospace, and media. As part of their learning experience, students are immersed in solving
20 SCHOOLS AS CENTERS OF COMMUNITY: A CITIZEN’S GUIDE FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN
real-world problems. Instructors act as facilitators, guiding students toward practical solutions. Through these experiences, students learn how to address problems effectively in diverse and collaborative groups; how to apply problem-solving skills using appropriate technology; and how to develop strategies that will help them adapt to change. The center’s exterior looks more like a