CTE Expo 2026
Date: May 21
Location: DNHS Quad
Extra Credit Theme: What you saw and what you learned?
Proof of Experience
Caption:
Visting Del Norte Computer Science (OCS Booth)
Before the Event
Because this was a district-wide CTE Expo, I expected the booths to look pretty uniform. I assumed that since all the high schools in PUSD have the same overarching CTE classes (like Computer Science, Biomed, or Engineering), the projects and teaching styles would be identical across the board.
Curiosity Before Attending
I was curious to see if I could spot any differences in how the pathways are executed. I wanted to cruise the different setups in the quad to see what actually makes the Del Norte CTE experience stand out compared to the baseline district curriculum.
What I Saw
I went through quad, specifically targeting the inner and outer circles. I stopped at the DNHS Computer Science showcase at Booth 30, checked out the Biomed interactive displays across Booths 20-22, and visited the Engineering & Robotics setup at Booth 9, while also comparing them to the general PUSD pathway information nearby.
Most Interesting Thing I Saw
The most interesting thing was seeing the actual student projects side-by-side with the course descriptions. It became obvious that while the course titles are the same district-wide, the DNHS projects reflect our specific student body—our projects seemed highly focused on fast-paced, collaborative problem-solving, and integrating newer tech like AI and advanced app development.
What I Learned
I learned that the district CTE curriculum is actually just a framework. The way it is taught at Del Norte is uniquely adapted to us. Because the DNHS student body is highly driven and collaborative, our teachers seem to use a more “agile,” student-led approach where we have the freedom to pivot our projects toward our specific interests, rather than just following a rigid, step-by-step textbook.
What Surprised Me
It surprised me how much autonomy the DNHS students have. In talking to people at the booths, I realized that while other schools might teach a standard unit linearly, our classes often feel more like a startup environment where students are driving the pace and scope of what they build.
What Inspired Me
I was inspired by how the teachers and students at Del Norte work together to shape the class. It’s motivating to know that the curriculum isn’t just happening to us, but that it is actively molded to fit our strengths and the modern tech landscape we care about.
Personal Connection
This connects to my interest in Computer Science because I don’t want to just learn theory out of a generic manual. I want to be in an environment that adapts to new technologies quickly, and seeing how DNHS runs its CTE classes proved that I’m in the right place to do that.
Interaction
Person or group I learned from: I talked to some other school’s booths, like the Westview High School Engineering and the Rancho Bernardo High School Engineering
They explained how their teachers allow them to customize their final projects. For example, instead of everyone coding the exact same standard district assignment, one group was allowed to focus their software project on a community issue they cared about, proving how the class style shifts to match student passions.
Depth of Experience
It made me deeply appreciate the teaching style at our school. I used to think a class was just a class, regardless of where you took it. Now I understand that the culture of the student body and the adaptability of the teachers completely change the value of the education.
Connection to CS or Future Goals
It connects to my current CS class by reminding me to take advantage of the freedom we are given. Since our classes are tailored to let us explore, I plan to take more risks on my future coding projects and build things that push the boundaries of the basic rubric.
Final Reflection
Cruising the variety of booths at the Expo was meaningful because it highlighted our school’s identity. Seeing the volume of unique, high-level experiences DNHS students are producing made me proud of our tailored CTE programs.
Biggest Takeaway
While the CTE framework is the same across the district, the way it is taught at Del Norte is uniquely adapted to empower our specific student body’s drive, creativity, and independence.