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School Board of the City of Virginia Beach names Dr. Donald Robertson Jr. superintendent

The School Board of the City of Virginia Beach voted to name Dr. Donald Robertson Jr. as superintendent at its meeting Jan. 23. A native of Hampton Roads, Dr. Robertson began his career as a math teacher with Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) in 1988 and progressed in leadership roles including assistant principal of Bayside High School, principal of Salem High School, chief strategy and innovation officer, chief schools officer, chief of staff and acting superintendent. 

Logo Virginia Beach City Public Schools Charting the Course

Hundreds of Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) students will participate in the 16th Annual African American Male Summit on Jan. 20 at Frank W. Cox High School. Boys in grades six through 12 will share ideas with each other and with adult community members on topics such as student leadership, community involvement, relationship-building, and physical and mental well-being.

Architecture, Engineering and Manufacturing

Engineering Technology I
(AT 8436)

Engineering Technology II
(AT 8437)

VBCPS: 3 credits per year, 2 years

Dual or Concurrent Enrollment with TCC and/or the University of Texas

From automobiles to airplanes, cell phones to computers, stereos to ships, it all has to be designed, engineered and produced. This two-year program provides students with foundational skills in engineering technology, robotics, computer integrated manufacturing, materials science, mechatronics and applied physics. Students prepare for the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) assessments in Pre-Engineering/Engineering Technology and Mechatronics. Once accepted into the program, qualified students will have the option of dual enrollment for college credit.

Modeling & Simulation (AT 8462)

VBCPS: 3 credits per year, 1 year

Would you like to create your own 3D model to present on “Shark Tank” or design a character for a video game? What about simulating the bone density of a broken arm in a Crime Scene Investigation? Modeling and Simulation serves as a vital tool in science, engineering and virtual reality allowing us to describe, classify, understand, predict and eventually control systems. This course will introduce the basic concepts of making a model and animating it to simulate physical characteristics under specific conditions. Applicants should be concurrently enrolled in or have successfully completed geometry. Qualified students will be encouraged to take the SolidWorks and 3D Studio Max certification exams.

Game Character Design (AT 6645)

VBCPS: 3 credits per year, 1 year

Do you have a favorite Game Character that you love to use when you play a video game? Do you have an idea for a character of your own? In this course you will learn to design your own 3D characters, give them physical characteristics, provide custom clothing and props, color them, import them into scenes and animate them. Students will design an environment for their characters. You will explore using game engines through the use of Unity. Students will explore professions like 3D Modeler, Rigging Artist, Animator, Texture Artist, Lighting Artist and Renderer. Qualified students will be encouraged to take the 3D Studio Max certification exam.

Computer-Aided Drafting & Design (CADD)

This three-course program of study prepares students to speak the language of engineering, architecture and manufacturing, utilizing the latest Autodesk software. Students typically begin their studies with Engineering Design, followed by either Architectural Design or Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering. Students prepare for Autodesk certification in AutoCAD, Revit and Inventor software applications, as well as the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) assessment.

Engineering Design (AT 8530)

VBCPS: 3 credits per year, 1 year
Note: Engineering Design (AT 8530) or Basic Technical Drawing (TE 8435) is the pre-requisite for Architectural Design and Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering

Students receive extensive training in engineering software and techniques in engineering and mechanical design. Projects comprise creating 3D mechanical parts and assemblies and developing the working drawings essential to the design and manufacture of the products we utilize in daily life. Topics include visual representation methods such as sketching, geometric construction, and modeling. This course provides students with the essential CAD skills required to advance in the field.

Architectural Design (AT 8531)

VBCPS: 3 credits per year, 1 year

Prerequisite: Engineering Design (AT 8530) or Basic Technical Drawing (TE 8435)

Do you have dreams of becoming the next Frank Lloyd Wright? Architectural Design students will design their own dream houses and commercial buildings; developing complete sets of building plans and 3D visualizations of their creations.

Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering (AT 8532)

VBCPS: 3 credits per year, 1 Year

Prerequisite: Engineering Design (AT 8530) or Basic Technical

Interested in designing underwater robots, creating world-class sea going vessels and engineering cutting-edge wind turbines that will help to meet America’s future energy needs? This course applies engineering design principles that combine the students’ imagination, artistic instincts and problem solving skills, in order to create the ocean transportation systems and structures of the future.

Renewable Energy Technologies I
(AT 8420)

Renewable Energy Technologies II
(AT 8425)

VBCPS: 3 credits per year, 2 Years

Renewable Energy Technologies I & II, at the Advanced Technology Center is a new elective that explores emerging technologies in solar, offshore wind, and electric vehicles. This new program is framed around guidelines from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners® (NABCEP®). Students will explore select renewable energy technologies and gain hands-on experience in their design, function, installation, and maintenance. Student participation in co-curricular career and technical student organization (CTSO) activities will develop leadership, interpersonal, and career skills. Work-based learning experiences will provide learning opportunities related to students' career goals and interests. Students enrolled in the class will have the opportunity to be involved with sustainable projects underway with Virginia Beach Schools, the Virginia Beach Education Foundation, and other local businesses.