Applied Technology

Why Applied Technology?

It is very important for today’s students to understand how technological developments can have an impact on our society, economy, and environment. Whether students plan to enter a technology related career or not, all students can benefit from the knowledge gained in Technology Education. Technology Education offers a very rich spectrum of experiences that teaches a broad technological literacy through interactions with various types of materials, electronics, and information technology. Students are able to build on their technological understanding which can lead them to be better prepared for their future careers.

6th Grade Projects

Engineering Design

  • Rocketry - Students learn the physics behind what make rockets work and are given a design challenge to create their very own rocket made out of simple house held products.

  • Automobile Manufacturing and Safety - Students learn the safety precautions made by car manufacturers and how safety features implemented in automobile designs can save lives. Students are then given a design challenge to create their own car that is safe enough for an egg to withstand a head-on collision.

  • Medical Technology - Students learn about the different types of prosthetic limbs and are given a design challenge to create their very own prosthetic arm made out of simple house held items.

*Under teacher supervision students are able to use the woodworking machines to complete their design challenge projects if needed.*

3D Modeling & 3D Printing

  • 3D Modeling - Students learn the basics of 3D modeling using Trimble SketchUp. Students are then able to 3D model a customized product that they can later 3D print on the Makerbot 3D printer.

7th Grade Projects

Engineering Design

    • Wind Energy Technology- Students learn about the different forms of nonrenewable and renewable energy used in our world today. Students research to discover both the positives and negatives of the use of these different forms of energy. Students are given a design challenge to create their very own wind turbine. The materials for the body are provided; students will have to create blades that will make their turbine produce the most energy when measured with a multimeter.

Robotics

    • LEGO Mindstorms Education EV3- Students will work collaboratively with a partner on various robotic challenges using LEGO Mindstorms EV3 kits. LEGO Mindstorms EV3 uses a graphical programming language that enables students to create simple code to program their robots. This programming is all completed in a user friendly iPad application.

Engineering Graphics

    • Engineering Graphics- Students will continue with 3D modeling from the previous year. Assignments and projects will be focused on learning to properly view and create orthographic and isometric drawings as well as learning proper modeling techniques. This will all be completed using Trimble SketchUp. Students will learn more about additive manufacturing and its process. Students will be able to use a 3D printer to print the models that they have created in SketchUp.

8th Grade Projects

Engineering Design

    • Cable Car- This design challenge will have students come up with a design for a cable car. The cable car will be connected to a fishing line and must travel the length of the fishing line or as far as possible. Winner of the challenge will be the group whose cable car travels the farthest.

    • Catapult- This design challenge will have the students research the history of catapults. They will have to discover how they are designed, materials that they can be made from and how they work. The catapult will have to launch an object as far as possible. The winner of the challenge will be the group whose catapult launches a ball the farthest.

Graphic Design

    • Graphic Decal Design Project- Students will learn the basics of GraphTec software called GraphTec Studio. This software links directly to the GraphTec Vinyl Cutter, which makes the vinyl cutting very easy. Students will individually research and choose a logo that they want as their decal design. Once a logo is picked and opened with GraphTec Studio software, students will then prepare the logo for the vinyl cutter

    • Graphic T-Shirt Design Project- This project builds upon the Decal Design Project. Using the GraphTec Studio software, students will have to find a much larger design online with more features to prepare within the software. Once placed within the software and prepped for the vinyl cutter, it will then be cut out on the preferred color/colors.

Woodworking

    • Woodworking Project- Students will go through and pass a training on how to effectively and safely use lab machinery and tools. After the completion of safety tests, students may create a logo made of wood. Students may decide to create this logo through the use of: Dremel router, band saw, scroll saw, belt sander, drill press, power drill, coping saw, and wood file.

Computer Science

    • Coding Fridays- Every Friday of the week, students will focus on developing their coding skills through the code.org website. Students will have to create an account so that they can keep track of their progress.