Applied Learning looks beyond secondary school, encouraging students to become lifelong learners.
Applied Learning benefits students by giving them:   

1. Leadership development through student organizations.   
2. Real-world relevance in curricula.
3. Peer-to-peer and student-to-teacher collaborative environments.
4. Industry accreditation.
5. Lab spaces to translate from theoretical to practical application.
6. Dual enrollment for college credits and scaffolded learning.

Image: "Gift of Knowledge" 2019 St. Croix Festival Children’s Parade
Featuring the "Boys of ESTEAM Coding and Gaming"

As part of the Space-Curriculum analysis, there was a specific focus on the increasing importance of engaging students in “applied learning” that provides them with a career focus that they are passionate about. 
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Business, community and district leadership came together in multiple meetings to assess the appetite for enhanced career preparedness in the VI. It was determined that there should be more robust opportunities for high schools to better align with the VIDE’s priorities for college AND/OR career readiness. To this end, a special advisory council for CTE, consisting of representatives from VIDE, higher education, civic and business leadership was formed. The group was organized purposefully with diverse viewpoints. Conversations centered on the recognized pull of industry (and local businesses) for a prepared and productive workforce versus the push of the *Alpha Generation and their unique perspective on priorities. The advisory council’s charge was to identify the potential programs, pathways, and certificates most advantageous to the enhancement of career readiness offered by the VIDE. 

*Generation Alpha are those born from 2010 to 2025, positioned to be tech-savvy and highly-educated.

The United States Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority identifies 13 key industries in the USVI. 
https://www.usvieda.org/

Visioning discussions, focused on Applied Learning, helped identify the pathways and certifications that should be offered or expanded. These pathways will be further vetted by the specific needs of the greater USVI business communities: ​

Business Services
Entrepreneurship

IT & STEAM

Infrastructure Engineering
Carpentry, Masonry, HVAC, Electrical

Hospitality & Tourism
Culinary, Hotel Management

​​Health & Wellness
CNA, Behavioral, Cosmetology

​Transportation
Automotive, Aviation, Boats

Welding Technologies

Energy & Industrial Technology 
Energy, Renewables, Agriculture

Agriculture

A detailed summary of Applied Learning and Career Technical Education is outlined in the Educational Facility Master Plan. Review the section on Applied Learning at the link below. ​

04_vide_master_plan_20200629_applied_learning.pdf
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