HIGH SCHOOL COURSES
CONSTRUCTION STRAND:
NCCER Core / Residential I Construction: Basic construction techniques using OSHA approved standards stress safe work practices and procedures, how to safely use hand and power tools, and how to extract information from construction drawings. Small cabins or safety type shelters are often built by students during this course.These dual credit offerings through UAF-NWC, are four-week courses taught by a NACTEC certified teacher leading to a national construction certification. NCCER Core is the prerequisite for Residential I enrollment.
Heavy Equipment: Students will learn how to safely operate: wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, bulldozers, graders, mining/off-highway/articulated trucks in a full motion-based and virtual reality equipped Heavy Equipment Simulator Center. Digital portfolios will track training and skill development. Along with learning preventative maintenance checks and services, students will explore heavy equipment/diesel mechanic maintenance and repair skills. This is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
Oxy Fuel Welding: This course provides skill building and hands-on training in using oxy-fuel welding, as a non-electrical welding method. This process can be used for cutting and welding and is commonly used in remote areas. This is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW): This course prepares students for structural welding. Gas Metal Arc Welding focuses on ferrous metals. GMAW is delivered in a project-based format with students learning to fabricate projects of relevance in their home communities. This is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW): Also known as “stick welding”, in this course students will perform manual welding with a consumable electrode covered in flux to lay a weld. An electric current is used to form an electric arc between the electrode and the workpiece, with the two forming a puddle of molten metal fusing two pieces of iron or steel. This is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
Renewable Energy: Students will learn how to become energy efficient by “going green.” They will learn how to generate electricity with wind, geothermal, solar, and tidal options. Students will network with professionals in the field and tour Nome’s wind farm and potentially fabricate their own 1kW wind generator. This is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
Introduction to Facility Maintenance/Interior Repairs: This course will provide students with basic safety instruction of hand/power tools and chemical use in accordance with Federal OSHA regulations. Topics for hands-on training include: drywall repair, replacing damaged windows, application in selecting, cutting, and fastening trim, removing and replacing opening/closure mechanisms. This dual credit offering through UAF-NWC, is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher and/or adjunct faculty.
Design Technology: Students will experience rapid prototyping, CNC manufacturing and automated fabrication technologies, while programming 3D printers, plasma cutters, and laser engravers to design and create items with wood, metal and plastics. There is no prerequisite for this course. Students should expect to engage using design software, and use equipment safely in a shop environment. This is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
FISHERIES & SEAFOOD STRAND:
Arctic Survival: Students will learn how to put together a survival pack, dress properly for weather extremes, and recognize and treat various cold weather injuries. Students will also discuss and illustrate building snow shelters in the winter and thermal shelters constructed during summer months. Life-saving skills on land and water will be practiced with AMSEA’s Surviving Outdoor Adventures curriculum. This dual credit offering through UAF-NWC, is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
Fisheries & Seafood Industries: Students are exposed to boating skills, water safety and survival, commercial fishing & traditional fishing skills, outboard motor maintenance, navigation and introductory nautical skills. The program capstone experience is an egg take project on the Snake River with fisheries biologists from Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation and/or the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Students can earn a State of Alaska Boater Safety Certification in this two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
Introduction to Maritime Careers: AVTEC faculty lead this two-week training program. One week of instruction is Basic Shipboard Culinary Training, focusing on cooking techniques in a ship’s galley. The other week includes a three-day Maritime Basic Training and a one-day Introduction to Nautical Skills. Students who successfully complete Personal Survival, First Aid & CPR, and Personal Safety & Social Responsibility, will qualify for a trip to Seward to complete Maritime Basic Fire Fighting training at AVTEC and attain a U.S. Coast Guard Basic Training Endorsement.
SCUBA: Students will work with a certified Master Dive Instructor from Dive Alaska to first obtain the knowledge portion of the scuba program, and then use scuba gear in confined water dives in the City of Nome pool. Students will learn the safe use of scuba gear, diving techniques, and exit the course ready to pursue their open water dive certification. Students need to be comfortable in the deep end of the pool and tread water for ten minutes to qualify for this two-week course.
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM STRAND:
Culinary Arts: Students will learn skills and explore jobs working in the food service industry. Topics include: cooking methods, the importance of ingredients, tools and equipment in the kitchen, food safety, sanitation and healthy eating. This dual credit offering through UAF-NWC, is a two-week course taught by adjunct faculty with industry expertise.
Native Arts/Business: Students will learn the skills and techniques of bone carving, skin sewing or traditional qayaq construction and how to manage and run their own business. A regional artist will expose students to Native Art techniques in the Bering Strait region, while a NACTEC teacher will lead small business operations content. This dual credit offering through UAF-NWC, is delivered as a two-week course.
Native Arts/Cultural Tourism: Students will learn the skills and techniques of creating a business promoting regional culture and tourism. The NACTEC teacher will lead marketing related instruction to reach a global audience. This dual credit offering through UAF-NWC, is a two-week course team-taught by a NACTEC certified teacher and a skilled Native Artist who will expose students to Native Art techniques in the Bering Strait region.
Inupiaq Language: In this course, students will explore Inupiaq language, practice conversational skills, and learn techniques to continue their practice beyond this course. This dual credit offering through UAF-NWC, is a two-week course team-taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
Outdoor Leadership/Guiding: Students will learn basic skills and be introduced to high standards for safety and risk management for outdoor activities. Client expectations as introduced in Introduction to Guiding and basic business management skills will be explored and practiced. Areas of focus and practice include: map interpretation, GPS navigation, search and rescue, camping/backpacking, and big game guiding. Certification attainment is possible with the State of Alaska Gun Hunter Education and/or a Wilderness First Aid certificate. This is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
TRANSPORTATION STRAND:
Drones: UAV’s & ROV’s: This course introduces students to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Remote Operated Vehicles and their expanding usage in research and media applications. Students will have the opportunity to use both technologies in a project-based learning environment. This two-week course, taught by a NACTEC certified teacher, includes outdoor UAV/ROV usage opportunities and digital video editing basics.
Driver’s Education I – Permit: This course provides students with both hands-on driving experience and classroom instruction. NACTEC instructors work closely with the Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to guide students through the process of obtaining their State of Alaska learner’s permit. This dual credit offering through UAF-NWC, is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified instructor.
Driver’s Education II – License: This course will prepare students to pass the State of Alaska road test to obtain either their State of Alaska provisional driver’s license or Class D driver’s license. Prerequisite: students must first have earned their learner’s permit six months prior, if under 18 years of age. This dual credit offering through UAF-NWC, is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified instructor.
ATV/Snowmachine Maintenance & Repair: This course teaches fundamental maintenance and repair skills. Topics covered include engine tune-up, lubrication, clutch and belt repair, drivetrain troubleshooting, track repair, alignment, along with other basic repairs and safe shop operations. This dual credit offering through UAF-NWC, is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
Automotive Maintenance: Students will learn basic safety, automotive hand tools, and on-board diagnostics while servicing vehicles. Hands-on training with trouble-shooting and diagnostics of fuel systems, electrical systems will be performed during tune-ups. Lubrication, fluids, tire rotation and balancing will be practiced. This is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAMS:
AVTEC Transitions: Students experience a “day in the life” of an AVTEC student, enrolling in a program of interest. Students will sleep in the AVTEC dormitory, eat meals in the cafeteria, navigate AVTEC’s bus system, complete a Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) exam, and other related essentials designed in this handhold transition from high school to AVTEC. Prerequisite is successful completion of a prior NACTEC high school training program. This one-week, non-credit course is intended for 12th grade students and led by NACTEC staff.
Ilisagvik College Transitions: Students experience a “day in the life” of an Ilisagvik College student. Former students have described their Utqiagvik experience, as being “just like at home.” Join NACTEC staff for this week-long transition program, which reduces the uncertainty of leaving the village for a North Slope training program at Ilisagvik College – ”Alaska’s Only Tribal College.” Prerequisite is successful completion of a prior NACTEC high school training program. This one-week, non-credit course is for students in grades 11 & 12.
Early Childhood Education: This course will prepare students to work in Kawerak HeadStart programs across Bering Strait region villages or in Nome. Students will begin work toward their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. The CDA is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education in the U.S. This two-week, dual credit course, will be delivered by a UAF faculty member.
Information Technology: Students will be exposed to a variety of I.T. topics to potentially include: network setup and configuration, security protocols for business and personal use, coding, and cybersecurity. As technology is fully integrated in people’s lives, development of skills in this area are highly regarded. Students should expect working in a professional environment and meeting with industry professionals on security practices, and network development. This is a two-week course taught by a NACTEC certified teacher.
Careers in the Military: Students will explore careers in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines or the Coast Guard. Using the military as a stepping stone on a career pathway, in both military and civilian sector careers, will be demonstrated with interviews of current and former military members sharing their military work experiences. This two-week, non certification course will involve taking the ASVAB test, demanding physical training, as well as research and presentation on military careers and training. This course is taught by a NACTEC educator and Gulf War veteran.
Wildland Firefighter: Designed to provide entry-level wildland firefighters with the skills and knowledge to safely function as a member of a firefighting crew. Course includes fundamental knowledge of wildland fire organization, fire behavior, suppression methods, safety, and the incident command system. Successful course completion, combined with national age and physical fitness requirements, will qualify the student for an interagency fire qualification card (red card) with a rating of Firefighter (FFT2). This is a two-week, dual-credit course led by UAF staff.