COMPUTING SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING

The Computing Sciences and Engineering strand has three different choices from which students can choose: Computer Programming, Computer Maintenance, and Engineering. Each program is an individually designed program.

Engineering

The Westside Engineering and Geosciences Academy (WEGA) offers a unique chance for students to gain perspective and insight into the engineering field. Students in this academy are engaged in rigorous academics and hands on projects. Teamwork and leadership skills are emphasized throughout the program, and organization is stressed from the beginning as essential for success. Problem based learning and critical thinking skills are fostered, as they are essential to the engineering profession.

Through a partnership with the Independent Petroleum Association of America, or IPAA, the program is able to offer our students opportunities to visit local engineering companies and experience the emerging technologies they utilize. IPAA also aides us in bringing engineers into the classroom, to give students the benefit of working side by side with professionals of various fields. We are also proud to follow the nationally recognized four year engineering curriculum created by Project Lead the Way. For more information please visit both www.ipaa.org and www.pltw.org.

WEGA is limited to fifty incoming freshman every school year. Due to the advanced academics involved in the academy, and the number of students who apply, we only accept the best qualified applicants.

Engineering Four Year Plan

Below is a sample 4 year plan for a student in the Engineering Program. In many of the core courses, students will be grouped with other engineering students. The classes will integrate engineering into the curriculum to further enhance the students engineering exposure. Students applying for the engineering strand must have successfully completed Algebra 1 in 8th grade. At times students will be able to decide which level course to take. The level of each course is dependent on the student’s individual skill level. College Preparatory, Pre-Advanced Placement/Advanced Placement, and Gifted and Talented Pre-Advanced Placement/Advanced Placement are available. The courses shaded in grey are the Magnet courses for this strand.

Required electives* include: 0.5 health, 1.5 PE, 1.0 Communication Application, 2.0 world language (must be of same language), 1.0 fine arts

Computer Maintenance

In the Westside Computer Maintenance Program students learn about the hardware and networking of computers. After successfully completing Technology Systems in the freshman year, students will take the Computer Maintenance class during the sophomore year. During this course students will learn how to build computers as well as trouble shoot and fix computers. In this course, students have the opportunity to earn an A+ certification, which is highly valued in the workplace. In the junior year students will learn how to network computers. During this year, students will have the opportunity to earn an N+ certification, which will increase the student’s value in the workplace. During the senior year students have the option to either complete one year of computer programming (Java or Python), Robotics, or participate in an off-campus internship. The Westside Robotics team competes in the BEST Robotics Competition via the regional competition called Space City BEST for small robots and engineering notebook as well as FIRST Robotics Competition for large robots and engineering notebook. The program participates in various fieldtrips such as traveling to the Goodwill Computer Store to tour the recycling facility and purchase computer parts. Westside has been honored to host a computer forensics speaker from Forensic & Security Services, Inc. as well as Mike Meyers, author of popular A+ and N+ books. He will be returning to Westside again this year to speak to students in the computer maintenance program.

Computer Maintenance Four Year Plan

Below is a sample 4 year plan for a student in the Computer Maintenance strand. The level of each course is dependent on the student’s individual skill level. College Preparatory, Pre-Advanced Placement/Advanced Placement, and Gifted and Talented Pre-Advanced Placement/Advanced Placement are available. The courses shaded in grey are the Magnet courses for this strand.

	9th grade	10th grade	11th grade	12th grade
English	English 1	English 2	English 3	English 4
Math	Alg 1 or Geom	Geom or Alg 2	Alg 2 or Pre-Cal	Pre-Cal or Calc
History	World Geography or Human Geo.	World History	U.S. History	Eco/Gov’t
Science	Biology	Chemistry	Physics	Advanced Science
Magnet	Technology Systems	Computer Maintenance	Computer Networking	Internship, Robotics or Computer Programming
Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective
Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective

Required electives* include: 0.5 health, 1.5 PE, 1.0 Communication Application, 2.0 world language (must be of same language), 1.0 fine arts

Computer Programming Program Information

After successfully completing technology systems, students interested in Computer Programming can learn one to two programming languages. Westside offers Python or Java with Java being the more complex language. A student may use Python as a starting point to learn the basics of computer programming before venturing into Java or a student may start in Java. Both paths are included in the four year plan below. The Computer Programming strand is the only Magnet strand that offers a Pre-Advanced Placement/Advanced Placement level. Students may take the Advanced Placement test in their junior or senior year. If a student earns a score of three of higher, they are eligible to earn college credit. Westside’s Computer Programming students earn an average score of three, which earns them college credit. If a student decides to enroll directly in Java classes, the student has the option during his senior year to participate in an off-campus internship or take a Computer Maintenance course. The Computer Science club participates in several events including University Interscholastic League (UIL), Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) and HP CodeWars.

Computer Programming Four Year Plan

Below is a sample 4 year plan for a student in the Computer Programming strand. The level of each course is dependent on the student’s individual skill level. College Preparatory, Pre-Advanced Placement/Advanced Placement, and Gifted and Talented Pre-Advanced Placement/Advanced Placement are available. The courses shaded in grey are the Magnet courses for this strand.

	9th grade	10th grade	11th grade	12th grade
English	English 1	English 2	English 3	English 4
Math	Alg 1 or Geom	Geom or Alg 2	Alg 2 or Pre-Cal	Pre-Cal or Calc
History	World Geography or Human Geo.	World History	U.S. History	Eco/Gov’t
Science	Biology	Chemistry	Physics	Advanced Science
Magnet	Technology Systems	Python	Java 1	Java 2
		Java 1	Java 2	Internship or Computer Maintenance
Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective
Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective

Required electives* include: 0.5 health, 1.5 PE, 1.0 Communication Application, 2.0 world language (must be of same language), 1.0 fine arts

 

 

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