Students in each academy at BCA take a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course every year, in addition to their other core courses. For the class of 2030, the AAST CTE sequence is anticipated to be:   

9th Grade: Chem-Energy Science

This course will provide an introduction to some of the fundamental principles of chemistry including atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry and chemical reactions, acid-base chemistry, gas laws and thermochemistry.   Conceptual connections to energy science will be emphasized and highlighted throughout the course including discussion of nuclear energy, oxidation-reduction chemistry and redox potential and the connection between internal energy, work and heat in chemical systems.

10th Grade: AP Chemistry 

Students will further explore the principles of chemistry as they prepare for the AP exam. After the exam, the focus will shift to honing their skills in the scientific method and research applications. Students will explore advanced topics, learn how to critically read and interpret primary literature, and apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. The second part of this course will emphasize critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific communication.

11th Grade: Sustainable Chemical Processes  

This course will give students a strong foundation in the essentials of organic chemistry by studying the structure and reactivity of important classes or organic molecules. Additionally, the themes of green chemistry, material sustainability, and energy science that continue to gain importance in the 21^st century will be explored as direct applications of the structure and reactivity fundamentals.

12th Grade: Sustainable Chemical Processes and Alternative Energies

In this two-semester course, students will expand their knowledge of inorganic chemistry in Inorganic Chemistry and Resource Applications. They will gain a deeper understanding of transition metals, catalysts, electrochemistry and energy analysis by exploring projects with a focus on heterogeneous catalysts, photocatalysts, artificial photosynthesis, recycling or new battery technologies, e-waste upcycling, water purification systems, and carbon capture systems.  

In their Alternative Energies semester students will employ the engineering and design process as they move through the stages of energy generation, storage, and conversion. This course will introduce students to the world of current and future energy production and use, with an emphasis on the development of renewable sources of energy. The production of nonrenewable fossil fuels, how they are used to generate power in plants and engines, and their affects on the environment will be compared and contrasted with such renewable sources as nuclear, solar, wind, and wave power. Students will also become familiar with the concepts and theories behind the  Greenhouse Effect and its relationship to climate change.