The Engineering Pathway is part of Overland High School's Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings, and take place in the Pathways at Overland building. Student will register for the CTE Pathway courses through the high school registration process.
These Engineering Technology courses provide students with hands-on experience in computer-aided design (CAD), robotics, programming, and architectural design. Students begin by learning CAD with SolidWorks, building and programming simple LEGO robots, and developing basic engineering sketches and 3D models. They advance to intermediate CAD skills, prototype construction using laser engravers and 3D printers, and the iterative design process. Later courses focus on architectural engineering, including drafting floor plans, electrical plans, and model structures, while the robotics course teaches micro-controller programming, sensor-based navigation, and complex robot tasks. Students have opportunities to earn college credit, pursue industry-standard certifications, and participate in clubs like TSA and the Blazerbots FIRST Robotics Club.
Skills Developed
Across these courses, students develop critical skills in problem-solving, design thinking, and engineering reasoning. They gain proficiency in CAD and 3D modeling, programming and robotics, project planning, prototyping, and technical communication. Collaboration, innovation, and iterative design are emphasized, preparing students for careers in engineering, architecture, manufacturing, robotics, and other technology-focused fields.
Careers
Assembly, Integration, and Test Technician Average Salary $65K
Manufacturing Technician Average Salary $75K
Electronics/Electrical Technician Average Salary $77K
Composite Technician Average Salary $71K
Propulsion Technician Average Salary $81K
Aerospace Technicians can span their careers in commercial aviation, space systems manufacturing, and ground support operations.
Certifications
CSWA industry standard associates certification exam
Find specific Certifications in the Course details.
Technology Projects is a level 1 course where students get to explore some areas of technology that they can study further in High School. Students will explore Computer Aided Design (CAD) through the software Solidworks, robotics with LEGO robotics, and learn how to write text-based code through RobotC. Students will learn CAD basics to be able to read engineering sketches, make basic engineering sketches, and use Solidworks to create 3D models from this information. We will also learn how to design, build, program, and test simple robots using Lego NXT. Students will learn fundamental programming skills and structures in C++ through the RobotC programming software.
This is the first in the series of Engineering Technology pathway courses. Students’ complete projects that emphasize principles of design, reasoning, problem solving and presentation skills. This entry level 3D SolidWorks software design course is for students interested in exploring careers related to computer aided design, CADD drafting, engineering, architecture and interior design. 3D sight that is used by surgeons, engineers and architects; and also in careers using computer aided design, CADD drafting, and interior design. Students will work with laser engravers and additive 3D printers. Focuses on basic computer aided drafting skills using the SolidWorks software. Includes file management, Cartesian coordinate system & dynamic input, drawing templates, drawing aids, linetype and lineweights, layer usage, drawing & editing geometric objects, polylines & splines, array, text applications, creating tables, basic dimensioning and Help access. This course aligns with the Colorado Community College course SolidWorks Basic (CAD 2450). Students will have the opportunity to earn high school credit while at the same time enroll in and earn community college credits with the opportunity to transfer credit to an institution of higher education. If the student is interested in earning community college credit, an additional free application is required. More information can be found at www.cherrycreekschools/cte on the Concurrent Enrollment tab. Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA). TSA is a student club activity. Students enrolled in this course have the opportunity to take the CSWA industry standard associates certification exam.
Grades: 9-12
Length: 1 Year
Credit: 1 Credit
Prerequisite: may require qualifying score on Accuplacer, ACT, SAT, or AP
Concurrent Enrollment: Community College of Aurora
This is the second in a series of Engineering Technologies pathway courses. Using 3D SolidWorks, an industry standard software, student skills are further developed in design and problem solving. The emphasis on the Iterative Engineering Design Process helps students do real world research, design and construct prototypes employing CADD, laser engravers, additive and subtractive 3D printing. Focuses on intermediate 2D computer aided drafting skills using the SolidWorks software. Includes blocks & dynamic blocks, hatching, isometric drawings, advanced dimensioning and dimension variables, layouts, paper space and viewports, templates, external references, attributes, raster images, & printing/plotting. This course aligns with the Colorado Community College course SolidWorks Intermediate (CAD 2451). Students will have the opportunity to earn high school credit while at the same time enroll in and earn community college credits with the opportunity to transfer credit to an institution of higher education. If the student is interested in earning community college credit, an additional free application is required. More information can be found at www.cherrycreekschools/cte on the Concurrent Enrollment tab. Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA). TSA is a student club activity. Students enrolled in this course have the opportunity to take the CSWA industry standard associates certification exam, professional exam and other 3D SW exams.
Grades: 10-12
Length: 1 Year
Credit: 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Computer Aided Design
Concurrent Enrollment: Community College of Denver (MAC 2040 - 3 credits)
This is the second in a series of Engineering Technologies pathway courses. Using 3D SolidWorks, an industry standard software, student skills are further developed in design and problem solving. The emphasis on the Iterative Engineering Design Process helps students do real world research, design and construct prototypes employing CADD, laser engravers, additive and subtractive 3D printing. Focuses on intermediate 2D computer aided drafting skills using the SolidWorks software. Includes blocks, wblocks & dynamic blocks, hatching, isometric drawings, advanced dimensioning and dimension variables, layouts, paper space and viewports, templates, external references, attributes, raster images, & printing/plotting. This course aligns with the Colorado Community College course SolidWorks Intermediate (CAD 2451). Students will have the opportunity to earn high school credit while at the same time enroll in and earn community college credits with the opportunity to transfer credit to an institution of higher education. If the student is interested in earning community college credit, an additional free application is required. More information can be found at www.cherrycreekschools/cte on the Concurrent Enrollment tab. Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA). TSA is a student club activity. Students enrolled in this course have the opportunity to take the CSWA industry standard associates certification exam, professional exam and other 3D SW exams.
Grades: 10-12
Length: 1 Year
Credit: 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Computer Aided Design
Concurrent Enrollment: Community College of Aurora
This is the third in the series of Engineering Technology pathway courses. Students will: learn about hand drafting, plus study basic building construction products and methods; learn a brief history of architecture, architects and the types and styles of architecture; as well as how to design their own dream home. Designed for advanced drafters to develop skills in the field of architectural engineering. This class will offer experience in the development and design of structures using architectural design software. Students will develop drafting skills through reading architectural blueprints and generating floor plans for real world applications. This course is designed to allow students to use their knowledge of CAD to create a set of house plans that meet city code requirements. Students will use CAD software and draw a floor plan, plot plan, electrical plan, foundation plan, and elevation for their house as well as construct a model frame house. Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA). TSA is a student club activity.
Grades: 11-12
Length: 1 Year
Credit: 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Computer Aided Design, Engineer Design, and teacher approval
Concurrent Enrollment: Community College of Aurora
In this project-based course, students use a micro-controller to control robots and other complex electromechanical systems. Students will learn how to build, program, and test robots. Throughout the year we will continue to build skills further advancing how to innovate our robots through different builds and writing different programs. We will build robots that will sense their surroundings to do various and increasingly complex tasks. By the end of the year our robots will be able to navigate a specific path, find items on its own, pick up items, and make smart adjustments to travel specific directions and distance. Students are encouraged to participate in the Blazerbots FIRST Robotics Club.
Grades: 10-12
Length: 1 Year
Credit: 1 Credit
Prerequisite: Engineering Technology I
Related Higher Education in Colorado
MSU Denver: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology
University of Denver: engineering and computer science programs with hands-on, interdisciplinary work including robotics
Western Colorado University: Engineering program (Paul M. Rady School) offering instruction in mechanical engineering, software engineering, and applied technology
