Essential Question: How can I use what I am learning and creating to make a meaningful impact for myself and my community?
1. Explore a Door | Each door is a portal — shaped by an experience, a person, or an idea connected to your CTE program of study.
Start by choosing a book, poem or article* connected to your CTE program of study.
*Instructions for how to access our district high school libraries digitally are included below - or you can simply visit and take out a book!
2. Build The Branches | From Reading and Experiencing to Creating (Reflective Document for Students)
Gathering (Brainstorming):
Use the web organizer to create a minimum of five branches connected to your CTE program of study.
At least one branch must be a text (book, article, or poem from one of our "doorways" or something from one of your high school library and that is related to your CTE program of study)
For each text branch:
List at least 4 words you read that are connected to your CTE program of study and that you did not know before.
Explain: What did you learn from this article (or book/poem) that connects to your CTE program of study?
Other branches may come from:
a work-based learning experience,
a volunteer opportunity, or
another related experience.
something learned in or an experience from a non-CTE class (ie: Social Studies, Science, ELA, etc.).
As you build, begin thinking about what form your project* might take. This could be:
a children’s book,
a podcast (Check out this example from Dr. Dunphy)
a mini-documentary, or
a DIY/Tutorial/hands-on resource
*an original creation (digital, visual, written, or hands-on)
Note that this will become a component of your CTE final portfolio.
3. Drafting | (Reflective Document for Students)
Look across your branches in the web organizer. Begin to connect them to each other — noting patterns, themes, or takeaways. These connections set up your next step: turning your research into a creative/original project.
*If you have a project idea that isn’t listed here, please see Dr. Dunphy and/or your CTE teacher to discuss and get approval.
4. Creating | Bringing it All Together
Now that your ideas are connected, begin developing your final project - or continue building on what you've already started. This is your opportunity to shape a passion project that reflects your curiosity, creativity, and growth within your CTE program.
Your project should:
Reflect your CTE Creates Project and how it shaped your learning or growth
Show how reading, experience, and creativity intersect in your field
Be original and ready for inclusion in your CTE Final Portfolio
Use the rubric to guide your work. The rubric outlines expectations for creativity, connection to your CTE program of study, presentation, and reflection.
CTE Stories Timeline & Submission Requirements:
*Due dates may be adjusted as needed.
1. Freeform Web Organizer
Due: Friday, February 13th, 2025
Submit to: Dr. Dunphy · Your CTE Teacher · Ms. Knoblauch (WBL Coordinator)
2. Build The Branches | From Reading and Experiencing to Creating (Reflective Document for Students)
Due: Friday, February 28, 2025
Submit to: Dr. Dunphy · Your CTE Teacher · Ms. Knoblauch
3. Drafting | (Reflective Document for Students)
Due: Friday, March 28, 2025
Submit to: Dr. Dunphy · Your CTE Teacher · Ms. Knoblauch
4. CTE Creates Project
Due: Friday, April 17, 2025
Submit to: Dr. Dunphy · Your CTE Teacher · Ms. Knoblauch
Doorways by CTE Program of Study
Don’t Eat Before Reading This by Anthony Bourdain
How to Become a Chef: An Essential Guide
How Restaurants Get Michelin Stars: A Brief History of the Michelin Guide
Different Knives and the Best Uses for Each One
10 Skills Every Baker Should Have
The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Home-Based Catering Business
How to Start a Restaurant: A Step-By-Step Guide
How to Start a Bakery Business from Home
Bon Appétit: What to Know About Culinary Education
ABOUT THE INDUSTRY AND FOOD SERVICE CAREERS
Art of food: Systematic literature review of culinary creativity
Architecture 1 Britannica Academic
What is Architectural Technology? How Innovation is Changing the Industry
How new architecture technologies help design the buildings of tomorrow, today
INNOVATE OR PERISH: NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND ARCHITECTURE’S FUTURE
Exploring the Future for Architecture and Architects: Sustainability, Technology, and Innovation
Game engines and the future of animation
THE ROLE OF ANIMATION IN VIDEO GAMES: BEYOND CINEMATICS
Animation Or Game Design: Which Should You Study?
The Needs in Developing ‘Animation for Games’ Learning for Game Design Program
WHAT IS VIDEO GAME ANIMATION? UNDERSTANDING THE ART AND SCIENCE BEHIND IT
Game Design: A Growing Workforce
The Evolving Landscape of Animation for Video Games
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GAME ART AND GAME DESIGN?
Future gaming: computer science in video games explained
Using animation to support the teaching of computer game development techniques
How 3D Animation Styles Transform The Gaming Experience
The Animation of Gamers and the Gamers as Animators in Sierra On-Line’s Adventure Games
How Long Do Electric Car Batteries Last?
Driving the future: 10 automotive industry trends and predictions
ADVANCEMENTS IN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY: SEEING OPPORTUNITY
Exploring the automotive transition: A technological and business model perspective
Key Technology Trends in the Automotive Industry in 2025
Review Article Automotive Technology and Human Factors Research: Past, Present, and Future
Recent advances in automotive technology and the cost-effectiveness of fuel economy improvement
High-Tech Cars Might Be More Trouble Than They’re Worth
Review Article Automotive Technology and Human Factors Research: Past, Present, and Future
What is Automotive Technology?
The Dangers of Emerging Technology in Vehicles
Use, perceptions, and benefits of automotive technologies among aging drivers
The Real Doctor Will See You Shortly by Matt McCarthy
How Doctors Die by Dr. Ken Murray
An Expanded Role for the Medical Assistant in Primary Care: Evaluating a Training Pilot
Be Well: Working in Wellness: Why Medical Assistants Are the Backbone of Health Care
Delivering High-Quality Primary Care Requires Work That Is Worthwhile for Medical Assistants
Is Being a Medical Assistant Worth It? An In-Depth Look at the Pros and Cons
Medical Assistant: A Comprehensive Guide to the Profession
How Medical Assistants Support Diverse Patient Populations
10 Reasons Why the Demand for Medical Assistants is Growing
A heart for people: The common thread in medical assistants
Study reveals inadequate levels of medical assistant staffing in US
Researchers identify most effective practices of medical assistants, as well as barriers
Is Becoming a Medical Assistant Worth It? Pros vs. Cons of MA Careers
Utilizing Medical Assistants to Manage Patient Portal Messages
Entering the Workforce for the First Time (Fatima’s Story of Starting Out in Cosmetology)
The Bright Future of Cosmetology
Why is Cosmetology a Great Career?
How Cosmetology Education Cuts Students’ Dreams Short
The Positive Impact Cosmetology Has on Health
The Impact of Cosmetology on Mental Health and Self-Confidence
How Cosmetology Has Evolved Over Time
Cosmetology in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
These Are Beauty Professionals’ Most-Read Articles in 2024
Construction and Extraction Occupations
Rebuilding the Construction Trades Workforce
The building trades: Five new facts
Tradespeople wanted: The need for critical trade skills in the US
Building the U.S. Construction Workforce
What Young Employees In The Construction Trades Need To Know Now
Rebuilding the Pipeline: Supply and Demand in the Skilled Trades
Why are tradeswomen leaving the construction industry?
Aging Workers and Trade-Related Injuries in the US Construction Industry
What Type of Engineering is Right for You?
Career Crush: What Is It Like to Be a Software Engineer?
How Engineers Are Thriving Today
5 Essential Skills for Early‑Career Engineers
High school pre-engineering students’ engineering design cognition
Pre-Engineering Program Connects Students to Pipeline for Future Naval Careers
The Uses of Engineering Notebooks Among Pre-Engineering Students at a Hispanic-Serving Institution
At Issue: Technology Education Benefits from the Inclusion of Pre-Engineering Education
Visit our High School Libraries! You can also: find additional texts for CTE Creates: Stories Behind the Skills:
Go to the Sewanhaka High School website
→ Library → Research Resources → Online Databases.
Click the findit! page
and log in with Username: XGJL / Password: nbsls.
Choose Gale In Context: High School
(best starting point).
Use Advanced Search to enter a keyword (ex: cosmetology careers, medical assisting, construction).
Filter by Date (For example, 2020–present) and pick Magazines/Newspapers for easier reading.
Open a text that is current, relevant to your CTE program of study, and of interest to you.
Need help? Ask your teacher, librarian, or email Dr. Dunphy at pdunphy@sewanhakaschools.org