Tanglewood Middle School
Course Syllabus
for
Gateway To Technology, 8th Grade
2025-26
Instructor: Mr. George Gardner
Rooms: 102 Classroom & Project Lab
Course Schedule: 2nd & 3rd Periods
Planning: 7:45-8:55a and 10:37-11:33a
Phone: 355-4517 e-mail: ggardner@greenville.k12.sc.us and ggardner@greenvilleschools.us
Webpage: sites.greenvilleschools.us/ggardner
Course Description Gateway To Technology’s (GTT) cutting-edge program addresses the interest and energy of middle school students, while incorporating national standards in mathematics, science, and technology. GTT is “activity oriented” to show how technology is used in engineering to solve everyday problems in units of study. The major units presented in eighth grade are: Design and Modeling, Career Research, Applied Electromagnetism, Flight and Space, Automation and Robotics, and Manufacturing.
The GTT curriculum provides project-based learning—a hands-on approach--that relates technology to daily lives. It also promotes communication and collaboration by emphasizing a teaming approach in the instructional units. This approach utilizes the strengths of each team member to accomplish the goals of the project, while offering learning challenges at all ability levels.
The Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Technology-integrated GTT program will help students develop and hone skills in middle school that will enable them to enter the high school program with foundation knowledge and skills for success in pre-engineering.
Course Objectives/Competencies: Students who successfully complete Gateway To Technology with a passing grade of 60% or higher will have demonstrated the abilities, concepts, knowledge, and skills required to:
1) demonstrate a basic understanding of different careers and technologies
2) develop skills in research and design
3) demonstrate safe and proper techniques in manufacturing
4) test solutions and analyze results of problem-solving solutions
5) work individually, in pairs, and in small groups to achieve a common goal
6) become more technologically and career literate
Course Text/Resources: Rogers, George, Michael Wright and Ben Yates. Gateway To Engineering. New York: Delmar, 2010. Print.
Course Outline: This course outline is intended as a guide only in assisting the teacher in planning units of instruction, which may not be taught in the sequence shown. When necessary, adjustments to the amount of covered material will be made. Based on the semester, weather, time, and materials availability, students will have the opportunity to experience the following units and problem-solving competitions.
Course Outline
Unit Topic Timeframe Reading
Unit A. Design and Modeling (On-going) 25 days Handouts
1. Introduction to Design
2. Alphanumeric Characters (A-Z, 0-9)
3. Technical Sketching (Orthographic & Isometric Projection)
4. 3D Computer Modeling: Onshape (Solid Modeling)
5. 3D Printing (optional)
Unit B. General Lab Safety 5 days Handouts
1. Lab Rules, & Student Safety Contract
2. Hand, Power Tools, Machine Safety (on-going)
Unit C. Power, Energy, & Transportation 10 days Handouts
1. Potential & Kinetic Energy
2. Mouse Trap Vehicle
Unit D. Applied Electromagnetism 15 days Handouts
1. Pre Test
2. Natural Magnets, poles, & magnetic fields
3. Electromagnets
4. Parts of an electric motor
5. 6-VDC Series Electric Motor construction
Unit E. Automation and Robotics 15 days Handouts
1. Pre Test
2. Mechanical Gears and Energy Transfer
3. VEX Kits Parts and Programming
Unit F. Flight and Space 25 days Instructions
1. Pre Test
2. DVD – Flight
3. Project: Rubberband-Powered Covered Wing Airplane
4. DVD – History of Spaceflight
5. Project: Model Solid-Fuel Rocketry
Semester 90 days
Grading, Assessment, Student Records, and Homework:
Student progress is assessed during each nine-week period over the semester. It is reported as a grade based on the South Carolina grade reporting system:
A student must earn a minimum grade of 60% in order to receive credit for this course. Student progress is cumulatively assessed each nine weeks in the following areas:
Item Weight Description
Major Assessment 50% 3-5 assessments: Test, Projects, Presentations
Minor Assessment 50% 9-15 assessments: Notebook, quizzes, labwork
Students will utilize the Computer Design Lab for the Design & Modeling Unit, and also, to research class activities and write papers. Students will also receive instruction in Technical Writing skills to describe the step-by-step process of class activities. These papers will be scored and can be used as unit test grades.Written tests generally consist of true/false, matching, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer. Engineering Notebooks are checked routinely for completed work and organization throughout the semester and will assist the instructor in assessment of student activity and comprehension. Incomplete/missing assignments will receive an ( i ) and will be scored 50%. A score of 50 is still a failing grade, so students are strongly encouraged to complete all assignments, to the best of their ability, to receive a passing score.
Student Records: A record of each student’s grade performance on all class work, tests, and notebook is maintained in Power School. Current grades are always available in PowerSchool.
Homework Policy: Homework is not normally assigned. However, students who miss class or do not complete their class work assignments are expected to complete their work at home and turn in within 5 days.
Make-Up Policy: Due to the nature of technical courses, students generally have 5 days to make up incomplete/missing work. Students not working during class time will not be granted this extension of time.
Class Procedures and Class and School Rules:
During the first week of classes, students are advised as to the rules and procedures, as well as expectations, for this class. In addition, students receive an orientation by grade level from school administrators about district/school rules, dress code, and consequences. Students receive information about the operation and procedures used daily at our middle school.
Communication: Instructors are required to issue progress reports in the middle of each grading period, but may send additional reports as needed. Parents may call me anytime @ 355-4517 and leave a voicemail. Please leave a message, callback number, or email where you can be reached. My email is ggardner@greenville.k12.sc.us .
Non-Instructional Routines: At the bell, students are expected to go directly to their assigned seat and begin their bellwork and vocabulary. Attendance, announcements, and instructions will be given before moving to other activities. Students are to have their notebook, pencil, inch/cm ruler each day. I expect students to take care of personal business between classes and will only be permitted to leave class for emergent needs. Students are expected to work the entire period, to not disturb others, and to clean all work areas before leaving.
Attendance/Tardy Policy: Students must attend school regularly for meaningful instruction to occur Please refer to the GCS Attendance Policy for more information. TARDY POLICY...After the late bell rings, the door will be closed. Consequences will follow for students who continue to arrive late to class without a pass.
Student Behavior: Each student is unique and special and is given every chance to practice self-discipline. Consequences for inappropriate behavior attempt to follow a logical progression of correction and are never intended to embarrass, or to humiliate the student. In each case, the objective is to modify the negative behavior. However, abusive, threatening, non-compliant, or dangerous conduct may necessitate an immediate Discipline Referral and removal from class. Everyone’s safety is my primary concern. Safety rules and regulations are not debated. Horseplay in the GTT labs cannot be tolerated. As a machine/tool lab, I must make critical assessments concerning individual student behavior. If I must choose between a student’s privilege to work and the safety of everyone else, I will always choose safety. A second chance for some people is another opportunity to continue. If a student is a constant disruption to the smooth operation of the lab, they will have to change to another class.
I have one overarching rule: If someone chooses to create a problem for anyone else, I will do something. For normal class disruptions, I always try to give the student(s) involved the opportunity to correct their own behavior.
Students: Recovery and referrals do not replace required assignments or obligations. Those who persist in disturbing the class and/or committing unsafe acts after I have made reasonable efforts to correct the behavior will be suspended from lab activities and recommended for removal from the course. Administrators and parents will be informed when student behavior interferes with the class or creates a safety hazard. Although the course is designed to be enjoyable, it is rigorous and challenging, it requires students to apply what they have learned in their core academic courses. GTT presents different challenges for each student.
School Rules/Policies: The district rules/policies, as well as our school, clearly outline acceptable student behavior and dress. The parent/guardian will be notified when inappropriate student behavior persists. The student may be referred to the school administration for disciplinary action when dress or behavior cause disruption, interferes with the rights of other students, or threatens personal safety.