Thunderbolt Career & Technology Center

Robin Lutton ([email protected]) is one of the instructors for the Agriculture courses at TCTC.  She graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in Agricultural Education in December 2006.   She has taught agriculture in multiple school districts in the Pee Dee and Lowcountry. She has been teaching agriculture at Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center since the 2013-2014 school year.   She enjoys working with students in agriculture and seeing them grow throughout high school and continue to be successful after high school. Mrs. Lutton has been involved in agriculture throughout her life, and when she is not at TCTC, she is usually doing something related to agriculture.

Matt Lutton (glutton@colleton.k12.sc.us) is one of the instructors for the Agriculture courses at TCTC.  He graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in Agricultural Education in June 2007.   He has taught agriculture in multiple school districts in the Pee Dee and Lowcountry.  He has been teaching agriculture at Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center since the 2013-2014 school year.   He enjoys working with students in agriculture and seeing them grow throughout high school and continue to be successful after high school. Mr. Lutton has been involved in agriculture throughout his life, and when he is not at TCTC, he is usually doing something related to agriculture.

These are the three Agriculture completer pathways available at TCTC:

Agriculture: Environmental And Natural Resources Management (030101) (Four Units Required)

Agriculture: Horticulture (010601) (Four Units Required)

Agriculture: Plant And Animal Systems (011101) (Four Units Required)

These are the Agriculture courses available at TCTC:

Agricultural Mechanics & Technology

Unit Credit: 1

GPA Weight: CP

Credit Type: CATE

Prerequisite(s): Agricultural Science Tech

The Agriculture Mechanics and Technology course is designed as an introductory course to the Agriculture Mechanics Career Pathway. In addition, it provides development of general mechanical skills, which are required in all areas of Agricultural Education. Typical instructional activities include hands-on experiences in woodworking, metalworking, welding, small engine repair, basic farm and homestead improvements, participating in personal and community leadership development activities, planning and implementing a relevant work-based learning transition experience, and participating in Future Farmers of America (FFA) activities.

Agricultural Science Tech

Unit Credit: 1

GPA Weight: CP

Credit Type: CATE

Prerequisite(s):

The Agricultural Science and Technology course is designed to teach essential concepts and understanding related to plant and animal life including biotechnology, the conservation of natural resources, and the impact of agriculture and natural resource utilization on the environment.  Emphasis is placed on the role of agriculture in our society and the importance of agriculture to the welfare of the world.  Basic personal and community leadership and safety, and agricultural mechanical technology are included as a part of the instructional program.  Each student is expected to design and participate in a supervised agricultural experience. 

Aquaculture

Unit Credit: 1

GPA Weight: CP

Credit Type: CATE

Prerequisite(s): Agricultural Science Tech

The Aquaculture course is designed to teach knowledge and skills required for job entry into alternative agriculture through the husbandry of aquatic plants and animals.  The ultimate objective of this course is to help students plan, build, stock, and run aquaculture facilities of varied sizes.  Aquaculture projects require planning and management comparable to any other commercial endeavor.

Forestry

Unit Credit: 1

GPA Weight: CP

Credit Type: CATE

Prerequisite(s): Agricultural Science Tech

The Forestry course is designed to teach technical knowledge and skills for entry-level positions in the production, protection, and management of timber and specialty forest resources. Typical instructional activities include hands-on experiences with assessing environmental factors affecting forest growth; cruising timber; planting trees; managing an established forest; selecting, grading and marketing forest raw materials for converting into a variety of consumer goods; harvesting timber or pulpwood; operating and maintaining equipment; managing forests for multiple purpose uses such as game preserves and recreation; participating in personal and community leadership development activities; planning and implementing a relevant school-to-work transition experience; and participating in FFA activities.

Introduction to Veterinary Science

Unit Credit: 1

GPA Weight: CP

Credit Type: CATE

Prerequisite(s): Agricultural Science Tech, Small Animal Care

In this advanced animal science course, students will explore the field of veterinary medicine. Students will study the role of a veterinarian and veterinary technician in the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases. Topics to be discussed include: veterinary terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathology, genetics, handling and restraint, and physical examinations along with common surgical skills.  Students will engage in a variety of laboratory activities and will participate in shadowing and/or other school-to-work experiences.

Nursery, Greenhouse, And Garden Center Technology

Unit Credit: 1

GPA Weight: CP

Credit Type: CATE

Prerequisite(s): Agricultural Science Tech

The course in Nursery, Greenhouse and Garden Center Technology includes organized subject matter and practical experiences related to the operation and management of nursery, greenhouse or a garden center Instruction emphasizes knowledge and understanding of the importance of establishing, maintaining, and managing “green industry” enterprises.

Small Animal Care

Unit Credit: 1

GPA Weight: CP

Credit Type: CATE

Prerequisite(s): Agricultural Science Tech

The Small Animal Care course is designed to teach technical knowledge and skills for occupations in the pet industry or the companion animal industry.  Skills also relate to the veterinarian or the veterinarian technician career field. Typical instructional activities include hands-on experiences with cats, dogs, rabbits, fish, etc. participating in personal and community leadership development activities; and planning a relevant school to work transition experience.

Turf and Lawn Management

Unit Credit: 1

GPA Weight: CP

Credit Type: CATE

Prerequisite(s): Agricultural Science Tech

Turf and Lawn Management course is designed to teach technical knowledge and skills for entry-level positions in the turf grass industry.  The principles and practices involved in establishing, managing, and maintaining grassed areas for ornamental and/or recreational purposes are studied. Typical instructional activities include hands-on experiences with analyzing problems and developing site plans for golf courses and commercial, church, and home lawns; establishing, fertilizing, irrigating, and pest management control of grassed areas; operating and maintaining machinery and equipment; participating in personal and community leadership development activities; planning and implementing a relevant school-to-work transition experience; and participating in FFA activities.  The instructor will select units of instruction based on a local needs assessment.

Wildlife Management

Unit Credit: 1

GPA Weight: CP

Credit Type: CATE

Prerequisite(s): Agricultural Science Tech

The Wildlife Management course is designed to be introductory course for the Environmental and Natural Resources pathway. The course is a combination of subject matter and planned learning experiences on the principles involved in the conservation and/or improvement of natural resources such as air, soil, water, land, forest, and wildlife for economic and recreational purposes. Instruction also emphasizes such factors as the establishment, management, and operation of land for recreational purposes.