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Building Industry Technology Academy

Program Description

Program Description

Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) is a comprehensive four-year high school program developed by BIA member companies and education leaders. BITA offers a curriculum aimed at producing skilled professionals who will be qualified and confident to enter the building industry or seek higher education at the College level. 
 
Program Video

Program Video

Teacher: Bret Hunter

 

Industry Sector: Architecture and Structural Engineering

Career Pathway: Architecture/Trades/Construction Management

 

Location: C-5

Phone: 916-632-6500 ext. 6468

Website: State Wide BITA Link

 
 
Program Sequence

Program Sequence

ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

FOUNDATIONS OF CONSTRUCTION (BITA I)
Grade Level: 9-10
Prerequisite:  None
 
Requirements Met:
WHS Technology (Applied Science)
UC/CSU Approved “G”
 
In year one of the Building Industry Technology Academy, students gain basic construction skills in the following areas: use of hand tools, machine tools operation, types of construction materials used in the industry, construction and organizational operations, sub-flooring, framing, roofing, blueprint reading, and construction-specific math.

CRAFTSMANSHIP AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY (BITA II)
Grade Level:  10-11
Prerequisite: Foundation of Construction (BITA I)
 
Requirements Met:
WHS Technology (Applied Science)
UC/CSU Approved “G”
 
Year two provides the students an opportunity to explore various trades in more depth using construction labs and student-directed activities facilitated by the instructor. Students can explore all of the lab activities or pursue advanced levels in an area of interest. All students study electrical in the course of year two. The trade areas explored include concrete, masonry, surveying and site prep, HVAC, plumbing, drywall, painting, and tile. Students will also be incorporating CAD software (Fusion 360,  RhinoCAM, Mosaic) for the design of the structures and use of industry level CNC machinery.

ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION (BITA III)
Grade Level:  11-12
Prerequisite:  Foundation of Construction (BITA I) and Craftsmanship and Construction Technology (BITA II) and instructor approval
 
Requirements Met:
WHS Technology (Applied Science)
 
This course is designed to introduce the student to the build environment, students will exposed to building industry: trends, organizations, construction processes, contracting laws, regulations, business aspects and career pathways.  This course will provide instruction and assignments centered on basic home building process i.e.  Property/house selection, permits, site preparation, foundation, framing calculation and characteristics of materials, carpentry, framing, basic electrical wiring, plumbing, measurement systems, and the safe use of hand/ power tools. The goal is to expose the student to each of these areas of study while applying a method or technique through project based learning.  Dual Credit (Pending):  While enrolled in BITA 3 at Whitney, you have the opportunity to dual enroll in CET 0005 Introduction to the Built Environment at Sierra College.  At the completion you will have earned 3 college units through Sierra College which are transferable to a CSU and can also be used as 1 of 3 required courses to earn the Sierra College Certificate in Basic Construction.  During the first part of the class all you have to do is fill out a form to register for CET 005 and pass BITA 3 to earn the credits.  CET 0005 is transferable to CSU.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN (BITA IV)
Grade Level:  10-11
Prerequisite:  Foundation of Construction (BITA I)
 
Requirements Met:
WHS Technology (Applied Science)
 
Architectural and Structural Engineering provides learning opportunities for students interested in preparing for careers in such areas as architecture, industrial design, and civil engineering. how architecture is shaped by history and the significant events in the history of structural engineering, theoretical, practical, and contextual issues that influence design, the relationship between architecture and the external environment, the mechanics and properties of structural materials, the methods used to analyze simple structures, the use of computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) in developing architectural designs, how to systematically complete an architectural project, methods of creating written and digital portfolios, and the effective use of architectural and structural equipment.


ENGINEERING DESIGN (BITA IV)
Grade Level:  11-12
Prerequisite:  Foundation of Construction (BITA I) and Architectural Design
 
Requirements Met:
WHS Technology (Applied Science)
 
Engineering Design provides learning opportunities for students interested in preparing for careers in the design and production of visual communications. Students plan, prepare, and interpret drawings and models through traditional drafting or computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) techniques. The historical and current events related to engineering and design and their effects on society, use of engineering design equipment, measurement systems applied to engineering design, proper projection techniques to develop orthographic drawings, object-editing techniques and CADD programs, applying proper dimensioning to drawings, sectional view applications and functions, tolerance relationships between mating parts, inserting text into a drawing, sketching processes used in concept development, and creating written and digital portfolios.

INTERNSHIP AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY (BITA IV)
Grade Level:  12
Prerequisite:  Foundation of Construction (BITA I), Architectural Design and Engineering Design or Foundation of Construction (BITA I), Craftsmanship and Construction Technology (BITA II) and Advanced Construction (BITA III) and instructor approval 
 
Requirements Met:
WHS Technology (Applied Science)
 
Fundamentals of residential framing both conventional and green energy efficient techniques involving layout and construction to include: exterior and interior walls, ceilings, roof systems, stair designs and installation. Major lab project: framing a project in the community. Includes use and practices of materials and codes related to California Green Technology and "Net Zero Energy" policies. (CSU) Dual Credit:  While enrolled in BITA 4 at Whitney, you have the opportunity to dual enroll in CET 0005 Introduction to the Built Environment at Sierra College.  At the completion you will have earned 3 college units through Sierra College which are transferable to a CSU and can also be used as 1 of 3 required courses to earn the Sierra College Certificate in Basic Construction.  During the first part of the class all you have to do is fill out a form to register for CET 0022 and pass BITA 4 to earn the credits.  CET 0022 is transferable to CSU.sports 

Dual Enrollment BITA III
Prerequisite:  Teacher approval
 
Requirements Met:
WHS Technology (Applied Science)
 
CET 0005. Introduction to the Built Environment
Units: 3
Formerly known as CTR 45
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduction to the building industry: trends, organizations, construction processes, contracting laws, regulations, business aspects and career pathways. (CSU)
 
Program Outcomes and Certifications

Program Outcomes and Certifications

  • Students will have developed an employable skill set for emerging trends in the building industry.

  • We have the move cutting edge machinery and software found in industry as well as the top notch colleges.

  • Students will be given opportunities to interview for paid internships at the end of their Junior year, or paid jobs in industry upon graduation.

  • Students will be given opportunities to receive their OSHA 10 certification.

  • ProCore Management software certifications.

  • Fusion 360 Certification

  • Transferable CSU Credits at no cost.

  • Opportunities to compete against 50 plus High Schools in the BIA Shed Building Competition.  The top 4 schools that competed at the State level last year were BITA schools.  Our first team will compete in the Spring of 2018

 
Program Accomplishments

Program Accomplishments

  • In our first year of introduction of the BITA Curriculum, we had maxed out our enrollment.  
  • We are one of only 12 schools in the State of California to have this curriculum offering in State of California.

  • Currently placing students in paid summer internships with local companies.

  • The only BITA school in the state to offer Dual Enrollment.

  • The 2nd school in the Country to off Pro Core software training and Certification.  

  • Have invested over $130,000 in new tooling and technology in 2016-2017.

 
BITA Students at Work

BITA Students at Work