K-5

The applied engineering technology program is a twenty-week experience where several different areas of technology will be explored. The course is designed where there will be more emphasis placed on group projects and designs emphasizing real world working environments. This class will explore major areas such as design, simple and complex machines, and research development. A strong emphasis will be placed on problem solving activities in which both individual and group efforts are developed. Projects may include cardboard chair, catapults, mouse trap car, and electricity and electrical wiring.

The CADD class is designed to help prepare the engineers of tomorrow. This class is designed for those students considering a field of engineering in their future. Throughout this class students will learn the fundamentals of drafting and different CAD software programs such as AutoCAD and TinkeCAD. Students will have the opportunity to see their drawing come to life using a 3-D printer and laser cutter. This is a great class for students looking to take high school engineering courses as it will give them a great start. Much of what they will need to know in their first course of high school will be taught in this class.

The design and purpose of this course is to provide a collaborative space for students to inquire, design and create through inquiry-based learning. Students will explore questions, challenges, topics or technologies of interest, at their own pace, and in directions of their choosing with the guidance of the teacher. Students will plan and reflect on their creations, processes, successes and difficulties through multimodal learning. The goal of this program is to prepare students for global learning opportunities by engaging their interest and imagination in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Students will develop their cognitive processes of analysis, comparison, inference, evaluation, and synthesis applied to a range of academic domains and problem solving contexts.

This course is for 7^th and 8^th grade students who would like to further apply their skills in the exciting field of engineering. Individually, students will design and manufacture a robotic gripper to apply their knowledge of simple machines. In teams students will use a VEX robotic system to be introduced to the world of robotics in an engaging manner. Students will research, design, and manufacture an automated robot to meet a specific challenge. Autodesk Inventor 3D CAD software is included with the VEX kits. This 3D software can be used by students to produce 3D mechanical designs, and to perform product simulations to test their design ideas before attempting fabrication of the actual model. This is a direct correlation to the real world; STEM is a prominent component of the entire process. No student is left behind, emphases is placed on the students' opportunity to work within their strengths to contribute to the team goal.

This course is for 7^th and 8^th grade students interested in engineering drawing and design. Students will be exposed to a variety of drawing techniques and computer aided design programs (2-D, 3-D, pattern development software) to learn the fundamentals of communicating engineering ideas. Students will demonstrate their communication and engineering skills through the development of a Magnetic Levitation Vehicle.

The Exploring Engineering Technology class is for students interested in designing and building individual projects using the design process as a guide. After learning “shop” safety and how to properly use the design process to come up with a working, to scale design of their project, students will have the opportunity to build their project in the lab. Two projects commonly produced are a CO₂ race car and a wooden candy machine. Students will have the opportunity to use a variety of materials, hand tools, and power tools, to complete their projects.

In this class 7^th and 8^th grade students will use cooperative and hands on learning to prepare for a successful future. Using the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, by Sean Covey, students will learn the importance of creating healthy habits. Other units include: kitchen safety, foods labs, nutrition, interpersonal communication/ relationships and keyboarding.

7^th and 8^th grade students will learn various 21st century skills. It is a cooperative learning style class with opportunities for hands on, project based learning. Students will gain independence, self-awareness and life skills. Units include: growth mindset, personal finance, career exploration, kitchen safety, foods labs, nutrition and keyboarding.