NAF Acadmey/ Engineering
NAF Acadmey/ Engineering
Mission Statements
The Burbank Unified School District NAF Academy will provide an academic and technology based program that inspires students to become respectful and successful members of a continually evolving global community. Through high quality instruction, community service, shadowing experiences, and internships students will graduate with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college, the workplace, and the world beyond.
NAF academies are structured as small, focused learning communities that fit within and enhance high school systems, allowing NAF to become an integral part of a plan for higher achievement at low cost. NAF promotes open enrollment for its academies in order to maximize every student’s chance at a successful future. The flexible structure encourages teacher collaboration across subject areas and fosters personalization to meet student, school, district, and state needs and goals.
NAF provides a rigorous, industry-validated career-themed curriculum that incorporates current industry standards and practices, literacy strategies, and STEM integration. NAF’s instructional practices foster cross-curriculum collaboration so students can make connections across subject areas. The NAF curricula is created in partnership with industry professionals and designed around projects that help students acquire valuable workplace skills and see their education as a step toward long-term career options. NAF empowers teachers to expand the boundaries of the classroom in non-traditional ways that ensure lessons have real-world application to growing industries.
NAF advisory boards provide an essential bridge between schools and the workplace. Business people and community leaders volunteer on local advisory boards to play an active role in developing their future workforce by shaping talent in high school. Advisory board members collaborate with educators to inform curricula and help organize work-based learning activities. Advisory boards give students the opportunity to build relationships with mentors early and learn from successful adults.
Work-based learning brings the classroom to the workplace and the workplace to the classroom. This instructional strategy provides students with a well-rounded skill set that goes beyond academics and includes the soft skills needed to succeed in college and the working world. NAF’s approach to work-based learning is centered on a continuum of work-based learning experiences beginning with career awareness activities, progressing to career exploration activities, and culminating in career preparation activities, including internships. Business people guest speak in classrooms, host college and career skills workshops, and take part in mock interviews. Students have the opportunity to tour work sites, network with, and sh
NAF Engineering Academy
NAF Engineering Academy students get to get further understanding of how things work, how to solve complex problems, and ultimately how to design and make new things. Students get hands-on experience with modeling and building, robotics, Space computers, 3D printers, and much more. There are various projects, field trips, internship and job preparations that the students have access to that prepare them for the working world.
Course Description: Engineering 1
This STEM course is a basic introduction to engineering for all students. Students who complete this course will learn the concepts necessary in order to develop their ideas into solutions that will improve our lives. Exciting hands-on learning activities like data comparison of heart rates, rating consumer products, destructive testing and building speakers apply math, science, history and English content from other courses in a STEM experience. This course makes science and mathematics more engaging, interesting, concrete, and relevant. The course’s intention and purpose is to educate students in a “main line” method by providing STEM education for everyone. While providing a STEM-based education for all students, those interested in becoming practicing engineers clearly benefit from this course content.
As a student in Engineering 1, my educational journey has been a captivating exploration into the fundamental principles of engineering and its multidisciplinary applications. This course has provided a solid foundation in various engineering fields, introducing me to concepts in mechanics, materials science, design processes, and problem-solving methodologies. I've learned to apply mathematical and scientific principles to analyze and design solutions for real-world challenges. Hands-on projects and experiments have played a pivotal role in understanding the practical aspects of engineering, allowing me to grasp the importance of iteration, teamwork, and creativity in developing innovative solutions.
AP Computer Science is an advanced course that delves into the world of computer programming and computer science. This course is designed to introduce students to the principles of computer science, problem solving, and algorithm development using the Java programming language. Students will explore a variety of programming concepts, including data structures, recursion, sorting, searching, and dynamic programming. The course will also cover important aspects of computer science, such as hardware, software, and networking, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of how computers work and how they interact with one another. Students will gain practical experience by writing programs to solve a wide range of problems, from simple mathematical calculations to complex simulations and data analysis. In addition, students will work on collaborative projects and hone their skills in debugging and troubleshooting. Throughout the course, students will be challenged to think critically, problem solve, and develop their creativity and innovation skills. The goal of AP Computer Science is to prepare students for future studies and careers in computer science and related fields, as well as to provide them with a strong foundation in computer science principles that will serve them well in any field.
Studying AP Computer Science A has been an enlightening journey that delved into the core principles of computer programming and problem-solving. Through this course, I've learned the fundamentals of Java programming language, which has equipped me with a versatile toolset to design and create functional, efficient code. Understanding concepts like object-oriented programming, data structures, algorithms, and recursion has not only enhanced my coding skills but also instilled a structured approach to tackling computational problems. Moreover, learning to analyze, trace, and debug code has been instrumental in cultivating a methodical and logical mindset essential for software development. This course has not only provided technical expertise but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the intricate logic behind programming languages, encouraging creativity and innovation in finding solutions to real-world challenges.
AP Physics is an advanced level course designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts of physics. The course focuses on mechanics, electricity, magnetism, and optics, and emphasizes the application of mathematical reasoning and critical thinking skills to solve complex problems. Students will engage in hands-on laboratory experiments, simulations, and projects to deepen their understanding of physical concepts, and develop their ability to analyze data and draw conclusions. Throughout the course, students will also be encouraged to think creatively and independently to explore the frontiers of modern physics. Upon completion of this course, students will be well-prepared to pursue further study in physics and related fields at the collegiate level.
As a student in AP Physics 1, I have gained a profound understanding of fundamental concepts in physics that form the basis of our physical world. The course introduced me to mechanics, motion, forces, energy, and more, unraveling the intricate principles governing the universe. Through experimentation, problem-solving, and rigorous analysis, I've learned to apply mathematical models to describe and predict various physical phenomena. The emphasis on critical thinking and analytical skills has honed my ability to approach complex problems systematically. Additionally, I've come to appreciate the importance of conceptual understanding in tandem with mathematical formulations, enabling me to comprehend the underlying principles rather than merely memorizing formulas.
This advanced engineering STEM course makes a contribution to the curriculum by providing opportunities for students and teachers to link content together and apply it to solve problems. More and more jobs demand advanced skills, requiring people to be able to learn, reason, think creatively, make decisions, and solve problems. An understanding of science, technology, engineering and math and their methods contributes in an essential way to these skills. Principles of Engineering is a team-based advanced course designed for most students. The Principles of Engineering courses' intention and purpose is to educate students in a “main line” method by providing STEM education for everyone. While providing a STEM-based education for all students, those interested in becoming practicing engineers clearly benefit from this course content.
Engineering 2 has provided me with valuable hands-on experience, especially through projects like building a launcher. This allowed me to apply simple machine principles and enhance my problem-solving skills. The course also emphasized teamwork, helping me collaborate and approach challenges from different perspectives. By integrating science, technology, engineering, and math, I gained a deeper understanding of their real-world applications. Overall, Engineering 2 strengthened my technical abilities and creativity, confirming my interest in pursuing engineering further.
NAF Track Certification