High School World Record 79 Volt Electric Dragster - Denton ISD Advanced Technology Center International Model of Innovation and Best Practice for COnnecting STEM & College Readiness

Location

DENTON ISD ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX, TX

Innovation Practice: Advanced Technology Complex serving five high schools with programs ranging from law to welding & engineering technologies

On October 30, 2010, among a host of Junior Dragster drivers at the North Star Dragway, the Batt Mobile whizzed down the track powered by an electric motor. The two-time world record dragster was driven by Russ Keith, automotive instructor from the Denton Independent School District (ISD) Advanced Technology Center in Dallas, Texas. The National Electric Dragster Association’s class DR/H for 72 volt Dragsters record stood at 10.49 seconds in the 1/8 mile since 2002. However, when the student-designed Batt Mobile took the track, it drove away with a new time of 9.93 seconds—in a first of 2 world records

At Denton ISD and other schools emerging in the U.S., one can pursue law, 911 emergency operations, welding, pre-med, engineering, culinary arts, architecture, animation special effects, and other “Career Pathways.” Denton students who complete two or more Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses include the full spectrum of students. CTE is seen as a pathway to connect theory and action—academics and hands-on labs for Advanced Technological Education programs.

Denton’s four-year Career Pathways to pre-law, pre-med, pre-engineering, pre-architecture, and pre-visual arts are among the nation’s most progressive programs, linking CTE strategy to university preparation (in addition to industry certifications, workforce education, CTE and Associate’s Degree pathways). This is supported systemically by the University of North Dallas as a comprehensive rearticulation of the high school experience embracing the full system of learning and options for students equally. Following are some pictures of the school’s innovative CTE offerings connecting the full system of programs into a new definition of the well-rounded student in the 21st Century:

Denton ISD Advanced Technology Complex - Emerging Innovation Practice, Engineering Technologies

The Denton ISD Advanced Technology Center - With automotive technology instructor Russ Keith in the cockpit, Brandon Cristwell, engineering instructor Thomas Babb, Austin Featherstone, and Max Simmons (clockwise from left) push the team’s electric dragster. Photo Source: Denton Record Chronicle

Denton ISD is like a modern “Boston Latin School” born of the Finger Lakes of North Dallas, the football culture of the Dallas Cowboys, the virtuosity of the Dallas Symphony, the synchronicity of the Dallas Ballet, and the resonance of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The school in not only world class in STEM and CTE, but also in these areas of excellence ranging from sports to the arts,

The Well-Rounded Student in the 21st Century

Denton High School Pre-Medicine, Pharmacy Tech, Certified Nursing Assistant, Pre-Veterinary, Licesed Vocational Nursing

Denton High School Architectural Design and Green Buildings

Denton High School Pre-Law

Denton High School STEM+ARTS Media Production & Technology

Denton High School Digital Video Production

Denton High School Forensics & Crime Science Investigaton

Denton High School 911 Operator & Emergency Operations Management

Denton High School CISCO Network Certification and Information Technology Certifications

Denton High School Welding

Denton High School Industrial Systems and Automated Manufacturing