Center for Advanced Technologies

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The Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT) 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 (NCSSSMST) and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

It 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.

Every year, students must apply to enter the CAT program. There are more than 50 students that enter every year. The applying students have to have at least a 2.5 GPA to enter CAT.

The CAT program is also home to Heatwave, the school's robotics team. Heatwave participates in the FIRST robotics competitions, and has ranked in the top 3 in the nation.^{[citation needed]} Heatwave is primarily sponsored by Baxter Healthcare. Students build the robot in Baxter's machine shop.

CATCOM, a video production class and club a part of the program, produces a daily in-house 10 minute news program known as "Fast Forward". They also produce award winning segments, known as "Fox ThirTEEN Magazine," for the local Fox affiliate. CATCOM has won numerous Student Emmys for its work.[1]

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.