Gateway to Technology
Blue Ridge Middle School
Quick Info
Check-in Times:
I am available Tuesday mornings from 8:00-8:30 for tutoring and make-up work.
BRMS has been participating in PLTW classes since 2014. We began with one teacher teaching the same course to all grade levels, Design and Modeling. In this course, students are introduced to and use the design process to solve problems. They use industry standard 3D modeling software to create virtual image of their designs. Students work in groups in a separate lab/workroom to construct their creations. The following year, Automation and Robotics was added to the curriculum. The Automation and Robotics unit allows students to trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students use the VEX Robotics® kits to design, build, and program real-world objects such as traffic lights, toll booths, and robotic arms.
The third year brought another new course, Medical Detectives. (Please see the page for each course!) In our fourth year, we added an additional teacher and three additional courses: App Creator, Magic of Electrons, and Science of Technology. Our fifth year brought competition robotics to BRMS as a co-curricular activity. We began with three teams and all three teams earned an invitation to the SC State VEX Competition. Year six brought a total of 15 competition teams ranging from 3rd grade through 8th grade. Seven of these teams earned an invitation to the SC State VEX Competition and two earned their way to the VEX World's Competition!
Year seven has began very sadly as COVID-19 has greatly limited what we may do in our curriculum. Students may not share supplies and all field trips have been banned. One of our teachers is teaching complete virtual for the school year while the other teaches face-to-face students with limited curriculum.