CTE & Career Readiness

Sample Generative AI Prompts for CTE Instructors (RACEF-Aligned)

General CTE Usage

• "Act as a CTE instructor. Create a hands-on lab project (Action) for students in [Program Area, e.g., HVAC] (Context) that reinforces safety skills. Provide a list of required materials and step-by-step instructions (Format). Include an example lab scenario."
  
  

• "Act as a career coach. Develop a set of industry-specific interview questions (Action) for students preparing for job shadowing in [specific industry, e.g., culinary arts] (Context). Provide sample student responses (Examples) and present in a table format (Format)."
  
  

• "Act as a CTE career readiness mentor. Draft a weekly reflection prompt (Action) for students connecting technical training in [specific program] (Context) to real-world job expectations. Provide 3 sample student reflections (Examples) in a journal entry format (Format)."
  
  

Program-Specific Examples

Architectural & Mechanical Design

• "Act as a CAD design instructor. Generate a list of beginner CAD project ideas (Action) that introduce blueprint reading and digital modeling (Context). Include 3 project titles and a 2-sentence description for each (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Auto Body Repair & Refinishing

• "Act as an auto body instructor. Suggest a lab demonstration (Action) where students practice dent removal and refinishing techniques (Context) on a car hood or fender. Provide detailed instructions and a rubric for assessing quality (Format, Examples)."
  
  

Auto Service Technology

• "Act as an automotive technology teacher. Create a diagnostic checklist (Action) for students learning to identify basic engine issues (Context) using standard automotive tools. Organize the checklist into steps (Format) and provide a sample issue students might find (Example)."

Building & Property Maintenance

• "Act as a maintenance trainer. Develop a hands-on troubleshooting challenge (Action) where students repair facility issues like leaky faucets or faulty outlets (Context). Provide 3 scenarios and a scoring guide (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Computer Networking Academy

• "Act as a networking instructor. Design a beginner project (Action) where students build a simple wired home network setup (Context). List all needed equipment, steps, and a troubleshooting checklist (Format, Examples)."
  
  

Construction Trades

• "Act as a construction trades instructor. Suggest 3 framing projects (Action) (Context) where students practice measuring, cutting, and assembling materials. Include brief project blueprints and material lists (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Cosmetology

• "Act as a cosmetology instructor. Create role-play scenarios (Action) for students practicing customer service skills during salon appointments (Context). Include 3 situations and recommended student responses (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Culinary Arts & Food Services

• "Act as a culinary arts chef-instructor. Generate a weeklong menu design project (Action) for students preparing balanced, cost-effective meals (Context). Include meal themes and sample daily menus (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Dental Assisting

• "Act as a dental assisting educator. Create a study guide (Action) to teach sterilization protocols (Context), including vocabulary terms, a visual diagram, and a practice quiz (Examples, Format)."

Digital Design

• "Act as a graphic design instructor. Suggest 3 digital portfolio projects (Action) using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop (Context). Provide project descriptions, grading rubrics, and one example of an outstanding portfolio piece (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Education Professions

• "Act as a teaching mentor. Generate a classroom observation checklist (Action) for students visiting elementary classrooms (Context). Provide checklist items and an example observation summary (Format, Examples)."
  
  

Electrical Systems

• "Act as an electrical trades instructor. Outline a wiring project (Action) where students install a simple residential circuit (Context). Include a materials list, wiring diagram, and safety checklist (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Engineering Technology

• "Act as an engineering design instructor. Develop a capstone project idea (Action) where students design and prototype a mechanical device (Context). Include design criteria, project milestones, and a rubric (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Fire & EMS Academy

• "Act as an emergency response trainer. Draft a mass casualty simulation (Action) for students to practice triage and emergency protocols (Context). Include 3 patient scenarios and a triage decision sheet (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Graphic Imaging

• "Act as a print production instructor. Suggest a promotional materials project (Action) where students design event posters, flyers, and T-shirts (Context). Include file specs, deadlines, and a sample project outline (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Health Careers

• "Act as a healthcare instructor. Create a patient care simulation (Action) where students role-play bedside communication techniques (Context). Provide sample patient charts and reflection questions (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Heating & Air Conditioning

• "Act as an HVAC instructor. Design a troubleshooting lab (Action) where students diagnose and repair a non-functioning HVAC unit (Context). Include a checklist of common faults and a sample repair report (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Hotels & Resorts

• "Act as a hospitality manager trainer. Generate a customer service training script (Action) where students practice resolving front desk complaints (Context). Include 3 scenarios and suggested professional responses (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Machine Technology

• "Act as a machining instructor. List 3 beginner machining projects (Action) using a lathe and milling machine (Context). Provide materials, blueprints, and sample finished product images (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Media Arts

• "Act as a media arts teacher. Create a multimedia project (Action) where students write, film, and edit a 2-minute video promoting a nonprofit cause (Context). Include a sample storyboard and editing checklist (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Medical Administrative Specialist

• "Act as a medical office instructor. Draft a scheduling simulation exercise (Action) for students coordinating appointments in a health clinic (Context). Include a sample appointment book and realistic patient profiles (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Power Equipment Technology

• "Act as a small engines instructor. Suggest a disassembly and reassembly project (Action) for students working on two-cycle engines (Context). Provide parts diagrams and step-by-step task lists (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Programming & Software Development

• "Act as a computer science instructor. Design a basic app development project (Action) where students solve a real-world problem for teenagers (Context). Include app requirements, a wireframe example, and a project checklist (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Sales & Service Fundamentals

• "Act as a business instructor. Generate 5 retail role-play scenarios (Action) where students practice sales strategies with different types of customers (Context). Include customer profiles and a rubric for evaluating communication (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Sports Medicine Exercise Science

• "Act as a sports medicine trainer. Create a rehabilitation project (Action) where students design exercise plans for injury recovery (Context). Include case studies and a progress tracking form (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Success Academy

• "Act as a student success coach. Suggest weekly journal prompts (Action) encouraging students to set academic, attendance, and behavior goals (Context). Provide 3 examples and a reflection template (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Transition to Work

• "Act as a workforce readiness coach. Create a set of job-readiness workshop activities (Action) for students practicing application forms, interviewing, and soft skills (Context). Include sample forms and interview rubrics (Examples, Format)."
  
  

Transportation Services

• "Act as a transportation maintenance instructor. Design a hands-on lab activity (Action) where students conduct preventive maintenance checks on school buses or vans (Context). Provide an inspection checklist and report template (Examples, Format)."

Closing Encouragement

By leveraging the power of generative AI with structured, real-world CTE prompts, instructors can save time, enhance instruction, and better prepare students for careers and life success. Every small innovation you introduce strengthens your students' pathways to achievement.