Engineering/Technology

Advances in Engineering and Technology are constantly affecting the way we live. New ideas and products are appearing every day. The computer you bought last week is now outdated by the one just introduced yesterday. During the nine weeks your student will be in the Engineering and Technology course, they will be exposed to a vast array of important areas of technology that may have a major effect on the way they view these advancements. Each student will be given the opportunity to learn by reading different materials, watching selected video clips, working through computer software programs, and doing many hands on activities, all of which are designed to provide information about various engineering practices and technologies.The Engineering & Technology course is a student focused lab in which students follow a set of instructions that direct them through different learning activities. Students will often be paired according to their interests and will have the opportunity to share working experiences with fellow students.

6th Grade: Exploring Engineering and Technology

The goal of this course is to provide all students with an introduction to the principles of Engineering & Technology (hereafter referred to as E&T) and its place in the modern world. This course will also help students to use technological systems effectively in their lives, thus providing a foundation for successfully integrating their own interests with potential careers with the resources of a technological society.Exploring E&T introduces and has the student work through an engineering design process while looking at technological impacts on society. Exploring E&T reinforces the areas of math, science, social studies, and language arts through practical application and / or hands- on activities. Exposure to E&T related careers, work ethics and leadership skills will be important components in this course.
At the end of this course, students will understand how engineering & technology impact them and the world around them and careers available to them in the field.

7th Grade: Innovation and Invention

Invention and Innovation is designed to introduce students to the world of invention and innovation along with the Engineering Design Process. They will examine the impacts of invention and innovation on society and solve problems through research, design, and experimentation in one or more of the areas of Engineering and Technology. Students will work individually and in groups to investigate solutions to technological problems, using research, data collection, design, prototype development, and working models. Invention and Innovation reinforces the areas of math, science, social studies, and language arts through practical application and/or hands on activities.At the end of this course, students will be able to evaluate products and systems that they en-counter in their daily lives and choose appropriate technologies to solve a variety of tasks. Students will be able to produce a functional invention/innovation.

8th Grade: Technological Systems

This course is designed for students to utilize the universal systems model including input, process, output and feedback. Students will examine various systems, such as; electrical, magnetic, mechanical, fluid, structural, natural, thermal, chemical, and information. Students will learn how various systems work together. Technological Systems reinforces the areas of math, science, social studies, and language arts through practical application and/or hands on activities.At the end of this course, students will be able to utilize the universal systems model to design and produce a technological product.