The National Society of Professional Engineers estimates “there are more than two million practicing engineers in the United States.”

According to CareerBuilder, an organization that surveys high schoolers, engineering is one of the most popular majors for seniors.

Next year, CHS will implement a new course named Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) to accommodate such massive demand.

Michelle Barrett, an administrator for the Center for Careers and Technology, describes IED as a class “where students utilize basic engineering concepts, while applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects.”

Students will also work independently, in groups, and use tools such as 3-D printers and Autodesk Inventor.

Matthew Freeman, the teacher of the IED class next year, said it is for students “that have engineering in mind as a career choice.”

Additionally, Freeman added, “The class deals a lot with problem solving. It’s a project-based class that does a lot of problem solving projects.”

The class, located in the Foundations of Technology area of the Vocational Building, is part of a series of new courses being made available at CHS over the new few years.

In order to add “new classes to the high school curriculum [they’re] introduced by the department chairpersons,” as said by CHS principal Jay Rauscher.

After being assessed, discussed, and approved the School Board, a new class can be introduced into the curriculum.

The administration is constantly working to ensure CHS students are given the most relevant course selection options.