The Center for Advanced Technologies is a public magnet program in St. Petersburg, Florida, attached to Lakewood High School and part of the Pinellas County Schools district. Its primary focus is mathematics, science, and technology. It is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In its May 28 issue, Newsweek magazine ranked CAT at 24 in its 2007 list of the top 100 high schools in the nation. In 2010, CAT moved up to #15 in Newsweek magazine's list of top 100 high schools. CAT is currently among the global community of Microsoft Showcase Schools. Every year, students must apply to enter the CAT program. Approximately 150 students enter into the program each year. The focus of the CAT program is science and technology and thus all math and science classes are taught by CAT faculty. The rest of the students honors curriculum is provided by the traditional high school. This results in integration with traditional honors students. However, there are separate valedictorians and salutatorians.
Overview
Under the direction of Fred Ulrich, along with five other faculty members came together to establish the CAT Program. CAT opened in 1990 with both freshman and sophomore students. In 1991, its own building was completed on the west side of campus on the site of the previous bus circle. In 1993, the initial sophomore class of seven students graduated. In 1994, first four-year class graduated with forty-three members.
CATCOM Studios
The Center for Advanced Technologies Communications, CATCOM, a video production class and club a part of the program, produces a daily in-house 11 minute news program known as "Fast Forward". They also produce award winning segments, known as "Fox ThirTEEN Magazine," for the localFox affiliate. CATCOM has won numerous Student Emmys for its work. Mark Granning, the former head and creator of CATCOM Studios retired in 2008. In dedication of Mark Granning's work, CATCOM studios name was changed to Mark W. Granning Studios. As of the 2012-2013 school year, Fox ThirTEEN Magazine is no longer in production.
Robotics
Heatwave 312
The CAT program was home to Heatwave, the school's robotics team. Heatwave participated in the FIRST robotics competitions, and has ranked in the top 3 in the nation. Heatwave is primarily sponsored by . Students would build the robot in Baxter's machine shop. Mr. Paul Dickman supervised Heatwave. History of Heatwave:
1996 Lakewood was paired with Raytheon E-Systems. They finished 2nd, losing by inches, at the Nationals.
1997 Heatwave finished 2nd to the eventual National Champs, Beatty, at the Chicago Regional.
1998 Heatwave finished 6th at the Nationals as well as 6th at the Motorola Regional.
Currently CAT provides elective robotics courses to students of every year while also providing an extra-curricular robotics program. The courses and robotics teams are taught and supervised by Jason Ness. As of the 2013-14 school year there are three robotics teams that are currently competitors at the school: Next 3839, Clockwork 3029 and Aluminati 409.
Network Assistants
Students of the CAT Network Systems Administrator Program help the network administrator, Christopher Borg in upgrading and repairing all technology aspects of the CAT program. They also maintain the internal and external web sites.
CATNIP
CATNIP, the Center for Advanced Technologies News and Information Project, is the internal website for CAT.
History of CATNIP
CATNIP 8
On June 19, 2008, CATNIP 8 was launched, making use of new technologies in Office SharePoint Server 2007. In addition to the traditional student and teacher portals, a brand new parent portal was released and then brought off-line in February 2009, allowing parents to view student's classes, ask questions, and gain other information. Parent Portal has been since discontinued from CATNIP functionalities.
CATNIP2013
The site took a major redesign in 2012 to appeal to the Windows 8 UI. This version of CATNIP made use Microsoft Sharepoint 2010 and was reached directly through the CAT website off-campus. A mobile app was also launched alongside this addition of CATNIP. The app allows students to view the bell schedule, see assignments for individual classes, and the ability to contact CAT teachers. The mobile app was made available on the App Store, Google Play, and the Windows Store.
CAT5
During the 2006-2007 school year, the 1st and 2nd editions of the CAT Newsletter were created. During early 2008, CAT5 had taken on a look favoring a blog-style in order to keep up with and take advantage of new and advancing technologies. It is no longer updated as of the 09-10 school year due to the daily schedule being changed, and the time during the day in which it was worked on being removed during the new school year.
