Academy of Agriculture, Automotive and Technology

Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair

This pathway prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain all types of automobiles. It includes instruction in brake systems, electrical systems, engine performance, engine repair, suspension and steering, automatic and manual transmissions and drive trains, and heating and air conditioning systems.

National Career Cluster Alignment

The Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Pathway is a part of the Transportation career cluster. Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Careers involve the planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods. This can be by road, pipeline, air, rail, or water. This cluster also includes related support services like transportation infrastructure planning, logistics services, and equipment and facility maintenance.

Pathway Courses

Level 1 Course: Maintenance and Light Repair I

• The Maintenance and Light Repair I (MLR I) course prepares students for entry into Maintenance and Light Repair II. Students explore career opportunities and requirements of a professional service technician. Content emphasizes beginning transportation service skills and workplace success skills. Students study safety, tools, equipment, shop operations, basic engine fundamentals, and basic technician skills. Upon completing all of the Maintenance and Light Repair courses, students may enter automotive service industry as an ASE Certified MLR Technician.

• Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 General Industry. The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.

Level 2 Course: Maintenance and Light Repair II

• The Maintenance and Light Repair II (MLR II) course prepares students for entry into Maintenance and Light Repair III. Students study automotive general electrical systems, starting and charging systems, batteries, lighting, and electrical accessories. Upon completing all of the Maintenance and Light Repair courses, students may enter automotive service industry as an ASE Certified MLR Technician.

• Aligned Industry Credential: NC3 Snap-On Precision Measurements Instruments Certification. Earning this certification will enable a student to be able to show mastery of foundational knowledge in precision measurement instruments. Course content includes tape, rule, side caliper, gauge, angle, micrometer, and dial gauge measurement knowledge and applications. Students must pass all six subtests to fulfill the requirements of the promoted Precision Measurement Instruments Certification.

Level 3 Course: Maintenance and Light Repair III

• The Maintenance and Light Repair III (MLR III) course prepares students for entry into Maintenance and Light Repair IV. Students study and service suspension and steering systems and brake systems. Upon completing all of the Maintenance and Light Repair courses, students may enter automotive service industry as an ASE Certified MLR Technician.

• Aligned Industry Credential: NC3 Snap-On Precision Measurements Instruments Certification. Earning this certification will enable a student to be able to show mastery of foundational knowledge in precision measurement instruments. Course content includes tape, rule, side caliper, gauge, angle, micrometer, and dial gauge measurement knowledge and applications. Students must pass all six subtests to fulfill the requirements of the promoted Precision Measurement Instruments Certification.

Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway

• Credit Type: Dual Credit

• Institution: TCAT - Tennessee College of Applied Technology

• Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete a college assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the test, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.

Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.

Environmental Biotechnology 

This Special Program of Study (SPOS) provides students with experiences in industry appropriate applications of biotechnology related to plant agriculture. Students will complete hands-on activities, projects, and problems designed to build content knowledge and technical skills in the field of biotechnology.

National Career Cluster Alignment

The Environmental Biotechnology SPOS Pathway is a part of the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources career cluster. The Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster focuses on producing, processing, marketing, distributing, financing, and developing agricultural resources. This cluster includes food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, plants, and animals.

Pathway Courses

Level 1 Course: Plant Sciences Biotechnology (Principles of Plant Sciences and Hydroculture)

• Principles of Plant Science and Hydroculture focuses on essential knowledge and skills related to the science of plant growth. This course covers principles of plant health, growth, reproduction, and biotechnology, as well as fundamental principles of hydroponics and aquaponics. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be prepared for more advanced coursework in horticulture science.

• Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 General Industry. The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.

Level 2 Course: Natural Resources Management

• Environmental and Natural Resource Management is an applied course for students interested in learning more about becoming good stewards of our environment and natural resources. This course covers major types of natural resources and their management, public policy, and the role of public education in managing resources, as well as careers, leadership, and history of the industry. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be prepared for further study and careers as an environmental scientist, conservationist, forester, or wildlife manager.

• Aligned Industry Credential: none

Level 3 Course: Plant Biotechnology

• Animal and Plant Biotechnology, a specialization course in the CASE Program of Study, provides students with experiences in industry appropriate applications of biotechnology related to plant agriculture. Students will complete hands-on activities, projects, and problems designed to build content knowledge and technical skills in the field of biotechnology.

• Aligned Industry Credential: none

Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway

• Credit Type: Dual Credit

• Institution: TSU - Tennessee State University

• Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete a college assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the test, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.

Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: FFA

The National FFA Organization (formerly known as the Future Farmers of America) envisions a future in which all agricultural education students will discover their passions and build on that insight to chart a course for their education, careers and personal futures. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Technology

This pathway is designed for students interested in the exciting careers available in the high-demand fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This program of study is uniquely structured to offer students an overview of STEM fields, occupations, and applications, followed by more specialized study of the scientific inquiry or engineering design process.

National Career Cluster Alignment

The Technology Pathway is a part of the STEM career cluster. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Cluster involves planning, managing, and executing research, analysis, and technical services. This cluster includes laboratory testing, and research and development in the physical sciences, engineering, and math.

Pathway Courses

Level 1 Course: Principles of Engineering & Technology

• Principles of Engineering and Technology is a foundational course in the STEM cluster for students interested in learning more about careers in engineering and technology. This course covers basic skills required for engineering and technology fields of study. Upon completion of this course, proficient students are able to identify and explain the steps in the engineering design process. They can evaluate an existing engineering design, use fundamental sketching and engineering drawing techniques, complete simple design projects using the engineering design process, and effectively communicate design solutions to others.

• Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 General Industry. The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.

Level 2 Course: Digital Electronics

• Digital Electronics is intended to provide students with an introduction to the basic components of digital electronic systems and equip them with the ability to use these components to design more complex digital systems. Proficient students will be able to (1) describe basic functions of digital components (including gates, flip flops, counters, and other devices upon which larger systems are designed), (2) use these devices as building blocks to design larger, more complex circuits, (3) implement these circuits using programmable devices, and (4) effectively communicate designs and systems. Students develop additional skill in technical documentation when operating and troubleshooting circuits. Upon completion of the Digital Electronics course, proficient students will be able to design a complex digital system and communicate their designs through a variety of media.

• Aligned Industry Credential: NC3 Snap-On Precision Measurements Instruments Certification. Earning this certification will enable a student to be able to show mastery of foundational knowledge in precision measurement instruments. Course content includes tape, rule, side caliper, gauge, angle, micrometer, and dial gauge measurement knowledge and applications. Students must pass all six subtests to fulfill the requirements of the promoted Precision Measurement Instruments Certification.

Level 3 Course: Robotics and Automated Systems

• Robotics and Automated Systems is an applied course for students who wish to explore how robots and automated systems are used in industry. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will have an understanding of the historical and current uses of robots and automated systems; programmable circuits, interfacing both inputs and outputs; ethical standards for engineering and technology professions; and testing and maintenance of robots and automated systems.

• Aligned Industry Credential: AutoDesk Inventor Certified User. The Autodesk Certified User - Inventor certification measures users' knowledge and technical skills for the Inventor product, which provides a comprehensive set of design tools for producing, validating, and documenting complete digital prototypes.

Additional Course in this Pathway: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems is an applied course for students who have already mastered basic computer skills and wish to apply those skills in novel contexts with the use of geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial technologies. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will develop the ability to reason spatially and analyze relationships among concepts; to capture, store, validate, integrate, analyze, and display data related to locations on the Earth; and to create, query, maintain, and modify geospatial datasets. They will learn how GIS is used as a decision-making and data management tool to solve problems in various industries and fields. Furthermore, students will use GIS software to create a spatially accurate map with data retrieved from online or locally available resources.

• Aligned Industry Credential: none

Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway

• Credit Type: Dual Credit

• Institution: NSCC - Nashville State Community College

• Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete a college assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the test, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.

Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: TSA

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national organization devoted exclusively to the needs of students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). TSA chapters take the study of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) beyond the classroom and give students the chance to pursue academic challenges among friends with similar goals and interests.