• Course Description

    Students learn how to design, install, repair, and maintain residential and commercial refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning systems. Blueprint reading, electrical schematics, and operational sequencing charts are taught in preparation for certification exams.

  • Prerequisites at the Time of Senior Year Enrollment

    Minimum of 11 core credits (2.5 must be English), completion of Construction Innovations or previous construction-related coursework, on track to graduate

  • Credits & Certifications Offered

    High School Credit
    • 3 CTE Year One

    College Credit

    • American Trade School - 12 hours 
    • Ranken Technical College and State Technical College - college credit opportunities exist through credit for prior learning or credit by assessment

    Certifications

    • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – 10 hour Construction Industry Certification
    • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – 608, Refrigeration Handling certification
     
    *College credit and certification are not guaranteed. Their attainment is dependent on student performance in both the course and on external industry assessments. All certifications are through external agencies and the accommodations permitted will vary from assessment to assessment. Additionally, students must participate in the full two years of the program to be potentially eligible for all certifications listed.
  • How Will My Time Be Spent? 

    Program Year Classroom Time Lab Time
    CTE Year One 26%-50% 26%-50%
  • Tech is Real World Learning

    Students in this program learn through the use of a variety of industry grade tools and equipment and texts. Their real world labs also require uniforms and personal protective equipment.

    Tools & Equipment

    • Personal protective equipment
    • Hand tools
    • Sheet metal
    • Power tools
    • Piping
    • Measurement gauges
    • Natural gas and flame
    • Motors
    • Wires
    • Refrigerant chemicals
    • Tape measures
    • Rulers
    • Sheet metal forming equipment
    • Furnaces, air conditioners

    Academic Materials

    • Heating and Cooling Essentials and Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 19th ed. 

    Uniform Requirements

    • Work boots, jeans or work pants, and a school appropriate t-shirt or hoodie
    • Safety glasses must be worn at all times in the lab space
  • Essential Skills Needed for Success

    Students learn the entry level skills necessary to prepare for post-secondary education and the highly competitive world of work. Traditionally, successful students have mastered the processing and/or physical skills listed below prior to enrollment.

    Core Essential Skills

    • Understand and use basic math computations; including percentages, fractions, decimals, rulers and standard units of measurement; math problem-solving

    • Be able to use mechanical thinking

    • Have knowledge and familiarity with basic hand tools

    • Have an awareness of personal safety in the shop, adhere to safety procedures and assume personal responsibility

    • Ability to quickly move your hand together with your arm, or your two hands, grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

    • Able to climb, lift and carry objects of 50 pounds or more, and handle taxing physical activity, be able to lift and move an air conditioner and/or furnace

    • Tolerate a construction environment which includes high places, small spaces, extreme temperatures, dirty spaces, loud noises, and a variety of construction-related smells

    For a complete list of essential skills please review the Course Overview Guide.

  • Nick Beck Nick Beck
    Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
    314.989.7431
    Send an Email

    Mr. Nick Beck has been in the HVAC industry for 12 years, and began working at South Tech High School in 2015. Prior to joining the Tech team, Mr. Beck worked in residential and commercial construction.