The Frederick Douglass High School Academy Program has recently given students many opportunities to become college and career ready, specifically through the Engineering Pathway.

Evander Harris, the Engineering and Head Technology teacher at Frederick Douglass, explains the opportunities that are available to students inside and outside of the classroom.

“We have a student-based store,” Harris begins, “where they can get hands-on experience with designing, prototyping, and selling products to the general public as well as Douglass staff and employees.”

Along with that, the program offers an industry certification that shows readiness for future engineering careers. 

“About 90% of my students get their industry certification before they leave,” states Harris, “and they have some co-op job placements through their engineering link.”

Cody Bishop, a senior at Douglass who has received this certification, shares his experience on how the certificate makes him feel ready for the future. 

“The engineering program has made me far more prepared,” states Cody, “as I have gotten my industry certification in the modeling software, and I know how to use a lot of the machines that we have.”

Not only is it an amazing experience, but Douglass also ensures that each student receives as much of an opportunity as they can to prepare and succeed.

“All of my students take industry certification every year until they pass it. We do a lot of practice exams, and a lot of work on fusion with different projects to prepare for that,” continues Harris.

With this source given to them, students are also able to earn internships for well known companies such as Toyota, Link Belt, etc. 

We look forward to learning more about more of the opportunities that Frederick Douglass Engineering program has to offer while ending this year’s school year and shortly beginning the next!

“It’s exposed me to different disciplines of engineering,” Cody adds, “and it’s changed the way that I’ve thought of it as a whole.”