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Willits High School

Welding And Materials Joining Pathway

CTE Welding & Materials Joining Pathway

Willits High School offers four classes in the CTE Materials Joining Pathway: Welding I, Welding II, Welding III, and Agricultural Mechanics Fabrication. Each class give students the oppertunity to Become proficient in Oxy-Acethene, MIG, ARC, and TIG welding, Learn how Cutting Torches and Plasma Cutters become friends, and Learn the Sheet Metal and Electrical Components. These classes also teach valuable skills needed for a career or self-sufficiency. Activities done in this class include Learning the Basics of Oxy-Acetylene, Learn about TIG which teaches the basic welding discipline, and Students choose at least one project that now, having these skills can be fabricated.

A person in protective gear uses an angle grinder on a metal barrel, creating sparks.

Two individuals in welding gear work at stations in a workshop, with red welding curtains in the background.

Required Courses Needed to Complete Pathway

  • Agricultural Mechanics is a survey class for motivated, self-driven students that introduces safety practices involving Oxy-Acetylene, ARC, MIG, and TIG welding technology and provides practice toward proficiency. Metal cutting, soldering, woodworking, electrical systems, plumbing, concrete, cold metal, small engines, plumbing, and construction will be covered through projects.

    Available for grades 9-12

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  • This is a hands-on course that is centered on students developing and expanding their welding skills in vertical and overhead positions. Emphasis will be placed on Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW). Students will develop skills in quality control check-point holds visual inspection, and testing techniques for self-evaluation of their weld quality in conjunction with instructor evaluation. Student summary of the analysis is integrated into the completion of each laboratory exercise with the use of the American Welding Society Welding Procedure Specification documentation. Oxy-Fuel Cutting will be utilized throughout the year for material preparation. Shop safety will be observed at all times during the school year

    Available for grades 10-12

    A person in a green jacket and a cap uses a grinding wheel, creating a shower of sparks.

  • Advanced Welding III is the third class offered in the Welding & Materials Joining Pathway at Willits High School. In this course, students will continue to build on the knowledge and skills gained in the Weld II course relating to the transfer of matter and energy through electrical, fluid, thermal, and mechanical systems. They will also study more advanced fundamentals of mechanical and structural systems and facilities. Course expectations include the design and construction of a large/major team project and the compilation of detailed written reports of the process involved in its design and fabrication. Students will explore professional opportunities in the field of agricultural engineering. By participating in this program, students will be better prepared to matriculate into post-secondary Agriculture Engineering programs such as those offered at the University of California, Davis, and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Additionally, this course may be a gateway program for those students interested in pursuing a post-secondary study in mechanical or structural engineering.

    Available for grades 10-12

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  • CTE Agricultural Mechanics Fabrication integrates mathematics, science, writing, and mechanics. Specific units include: Using the Ag Fabrication Shop, Measurement, Project Planning, Plasma and Oxygen/Acetylene Cutting, Oxygen/Acetylene Torch Welding, Gas Metal Arc Welding, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Careers in Agriculture Fabrication and Mechanics, and a Final Project. Students will focus on understanding the theory of the preceding areas, as well as the application of these theories.

    Students will demonstrate core academic knowledge and critical thinking skills as they apply their knowledge to projects and real-life scenarios. A variety of resources will be accessed (Internet, professional journals, books, and industry professionals) for the purpose of creating written and oral presentations that demonstrate students’ knowledge and ability. Units covered in this course will build upon existing knowledge where applicable. End-of-unit projects will incorporate, at minimum, the knowledge acquired from at least one other previously covered unit. For example, students will learn about project planning in Unit 3, then utilize that understanding when they build a small project for their final.

    Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intra-curricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program.

    Available for grades 11-12

    A person in protective gear uses a torch to heat metal in an industrial setting.

Teacher Bio

A woman with long, gray hair smiles gently at the camera, wearing a teal v-neck shirt.

Hello! My name is Becky Bowlds and I teach all the classes in the CTE Welding and Materials Joining Pathway.

I have been teaching at Willits High School for twenty-three years. Previously, I have taught Resource English, Algebra 1, Reading, Veterinary Science, Horticulture, Biology, Forestry, and Natural Resources. 

I attended numerous schools including Cal Poly-SLO, SRJ, MC, Sonoma State, and Dominican University.

I have an Agricultural lifestyle, I love anything to do with livestock and Animals in general, as well as farming and gardening. For my next career, I am working in a market garden and a diversified meat business.

One fun fact about me is I was first runner-up for Miss Jr Grand National.

CTE Welding & Materials Joining Pathway Map