Career-Technical Education
COSSA school offers several career-technical programs that result in industry certifications. These certification opportunities give our students an edge in acquiring employment after high school. Students can earn college credit in all of our CTE Programs.
Health Sciences
Culinary arts provide students with an understanding of food’s role in society, instruction in how to plan and prepare meals, wellness and personal lifestyle. Content includes food safety and sanitation, proper use of equipment and utensils, meal management skills, nutrition, food purchasing, preparation techniques and careers in related fields. The capstone course prepares students for gainful employment and/or entry into postsecondary education in the food production and service industry. Content provides students the opportunity to apply the marketable culinary arts and food service skills they have acquired by assuming increasingly responsible positions, including participation in a cooperative education experience. Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, FCCLA, leadership activities are an integral part of this course. Advanced Food Production, Management, and Services may articulate to a culinary arts program at a postsecondary technical college. Work experiences may be in a school-based enterprise, district food service, local restaurants or other food production establishments.
Heavy equipment/diesel is a program designed to prepare students with skills for the field maintenance of heavy equipment, and in general maintenance and overhaul of such equipment. Heavy equipment/diesel includes instruction in inspection, maintenance, and repair of tracks, wheels, brakes, operating controls, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, electrical circuitry, engines, and in techniques of welding and brazing. The course also includes training in applied communications, and employability skills including leadership, human relations, and safe efficient work practices. SkillsUSA is the official Career & Technical Student Organization. Instructors must carry ASE certification credentials in four of the eight instructional areas and the program must be NATEF certified. The teacher must be certified as a Career & Technical Skilled and Technical Sciences instructor. This involves taking Career & Technical Education Teacher Education coursework in addition to holding the industry certifications.
Pre-Engineering
Communication skills and tools are the major focus of this course. These same skills are central to all subsequent technology courses. The computer and other electronic devices are necessary for teaching an understanding of contemporary communications, manufacturing, power/energy/ transportation and construction systems. An engineering focus of problem solving requires students to define a given problem, conduct appropriate research, develop solutions to the problem, construct prototypes, and evaluate their work. This course is designed to introduce students to those principles and skills used in subsequent technology courses. Students learn to sketch solutions to problems, create technical drawings and presentations, build models, and apply creative problem solving methods. Emphasis is placed on accessing and communicating information, using simple and complex tools in a safe manner, and increasing the students' awareness of the historical and contemporary implications of technology. Students are introduced to computer-aided graphics, design software, and computer-aided manufacturing. Students develop an understanding of the tools, techniques, and processes of technology using design principles, computers, problem solving and model making.
Welding and Metal Fab
Welding is a program designed to prepare students with skills for occupations in welding as form cutters, tack welders, welder assemblers, welder helpers, combination welders, arc welders, and production line welders as well as providing basic metallurgy knowledge and skills for students who want to work in the field of metalworking. Students will be provided an opportunity to study metallurgy science and the basics of heating and treating metals to be used in various applications, including casting, forming, fitting, bending, welding, and hammering. They will develop design and practice skills through active development of products. The content includes use of blue prints and shop drawing; use of gases and/or welding processes; and brazing parts
according to diagrams, blueprints, or written specification. Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program and provide instruction in various processes and techniques of welding and fabrication skills including oxyacetylene welding and cutting, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), soldering, certification test preparation, and use of current industry standards and techniques. The course also includes training in applied communications, and employability skills including leadership, human relations, and safe efficient work practices. SkillsUSA is the official Career & Technical Student Organization. The industry certification for welding is the American Welding Society (AWS). All instructors must carry AWS Educator (CWE as
per AWS QC 5-91requirements) or Inspector (CWI) certification. The teacher must be certified as a Career & Technical Skilled and Technical Sciences instructor. This involves taking Career & Technical Education Teacher Education coursework in addition to holding the industry certifications.
COSSA offers two career paths in the health professions. Students may take both CNA (Junior) and EMT (Senior year) and earn both certifications.
Certified Nursing Assistant:
CNA prepares students for beginning employment as nursing assistants in nursing homes, hospitals, and other settings Content includes medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, care of the patient, and assisting as a member of the health care team. Students have the opportunity to take the Idaho State CNA certification test to become a certified CNA.
Emergency Medical Technician:
EMT prepares students to the level of Emergency Medical Technicians - Basic. Students will receive classroom training in anatomy & physiology, airway management, patient assessment, medical & trauma emergencies, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and more. This course includes advanced modules (starting IVs, IOs, and placing advanced airway devices). Students will participate in ride-alongs with Canyon County Paramedics. Students have the opportunity to take the National Registry EMT (Basic) certification exam.
