Attleboro High School is starting a new program called Intro to Engineering Profession using the curriculum Engineering the Future, which was developed by the Museum of Science in Boston.

This program will introduce students to many engineering opportunities, including skills such as inventing, designing or creating things. The pre-engineering program will help students further develop their skills.

Juniors and seniors are currently taking the class, but in the fall the freshman class will have the option to do a technical exploratory. In 2009, level one will be offered to sophomores.

"To be an engineer is to be an excellent problem solver. They apply creativity, math, science and technology to solve problems. Engineers invent new products, new technologies and new processes, which are highly valuable today and for the future of our economy, both nationally and locally," said AHS teacher Dana Akins-Adeyemi in an e-mail.

Students who are currently taking the class as an elective are developing and designing the New Engineering Facility along with Computer Aided Design (CAD). "This project offers real world applications about what they are learning in the classroom. We are looking for local architects, engineers and professionals to help in developing the new Engineering Facility and program," said Akins-Adeyemi.

They also have been focusing on recent activities and projects such as Career Explorations with visiting engineers and speakers, designing a cell phone holder, and creating engineering drawings.

"The nature of the course is to introduce kids to the broad range of opportunities in engineering careers. It shows kids how many fields of interest that engineering actually covers," said Terry Gayton, AHS director of Career and Technical Education.

Students also have the opportunity to get the Certificate of Occupation Proficiency at the end of the program. At the end of the three-year course, students must present a portfolio to the teacher and the school administrator.

There are many types and specialties of engineering including electrical, communication, robotics, mechanical, biomedical, geotechnical, environmental, aerospace, civil, and architectural.

"We are going to send well prepared students into the community, and wherever they go they can specialize in their career," said Gayton.