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Read more about the teachers and the courses offered in the EMTNR Academy
Recent Course Updates:
Cardinal Innovations
Students from Cardinal Innovations began working on developing a sign for the North exit of the school. The sign represents a partnership between Alexandria Area High School, the AG and FFA program, and The University of Minnesota on Kernza Wheat that was planted at AAHS. Students from Cardinal Innovations dug holes for where the posts for the sign will go. Next steps for this group will consist of setting the poles with concrete. In addition, a separate group of students are working on a design for the sign in Enroute, which will be cut using our CNC Plasma Cutter. They have spent time collaborating with professors from the University of Minnesota on sizes and dimensions.
Small Engines
Currently, small engines courses are finishing reassembly of a 4-stroke Briggs and Stratton engine. Students have worked through internal components of the engine, using micrometers, to determine if any internal parts have work by referencing a service manual. Throughout reassembly, students are also demonstrating knowledge of using a torque wrench, feeler gauge, and other measurement tools to properly reassemble the engine they are working on.
Advanced Robotics
Students in Advanced Robotics have designed and built various robotic arms that simulate a robotic arm found in a manufacturing environment. The arm must be able to operate autonomously, which also means students write code and program the arm to do various tasks. Earlier in the school year, Advanced Robotics students toured Aagard, where they were able to witness similar technology in a real-world environment. Students complete various tasks with the arms they design and program, which require them to demonstrate complete control of their design, while using various sensors to aid the robotic arm in its function.
Previous Course Updates:
Woods
Students are wrapping up their first project, a small wooden decor piece with a MN theme. This project gives them the opportunity to use nearly every machine in the woodshop. They also learn how to follow a specific process and how to follow both written and verbal instructions within a production environment.
Minnesota Rocks & Waters
Students explored some of the factors that affect river and lakeshore erosion and the importance of controlling erosion. We went out to Rotary Beach and built stream tables to explore the morphology (structure) of rivers and what we can learn from studying their structure.
Early U.S. History
Students are studying Argument Protocol for British colonists and policies enacted by Parliament.
They are learning how to collect evidence and then make a claim and support it with evidence. Students learn to role play as well as learning about another perspective. Debate between another person on the opposing side for one minute and then convene with their group to caucus and prep for a rebuttal for 45 seconds. They complete a flash closing statement individually on Schoology discussion post where they can choose a different position and make their claim with evidence to support it.
Small Engines
Students in small engines completed a disassembly of a small engine. Currently, students are learning about individual internal small engine parts, which includes what they are and how they function within an engine. In addition, they are learning how to calculate wear by measuring internal components with a micrometer and checking those parts standard size from a service manual. Students’ then make calculations to determine how much that part has worn, and if it has met the reject size and needs replacing.
Building Trades
Students are building 2- 10 x 12 sheds. These sheds have a lean to roof, roll up garage door, entrance door and a 32” x 38” window. Sheds are for sale upon completion
12th - Seniors have watched two documentaries. They are now critiquing the form itself: analyzing the building blocks of an effective documentary and examining the form’s effect on contemporary culture.
11th - Juniors are analyzing The Crucible in class. They are comparing and contrasting Salem witch trials in the late 1700s to the McCarthy hearings in the U.S. in the 1950s. They are enjoying the film adaptation and how passionate Mr. Jackson is about Winona Ryder and Daniel Day-Lewis.
10th - Sophomores are reading Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. They are examining the way Steinbeck characterizes characters, analyzing how those characters represent societal concepts, and connecting contemporary examples of those issues to the concepts the characters represent- connecting the themes and motifs of the 1930s novel to our world today.
Physics
Olivia Brault (middle) and Grace Hedstrom (right) now hold the record with eight consecutive hit shots on Mr. Dahlseid, physics teacher, during their vertical projectile lab (balloon launch). Anthony Hoyt (left) was a great support for the group.
Mr. Dahlseid is the goofball below in the costume.
More course highlights:
World History - Students just completed a unit on the River Civilizations and are currently studying World Religions. We will be wrapping up the unit soon and will start learning about the Classical Civilizations.
Top 20 - Students have completed a comfort zone activity and been working through mindset tools.
Mathematics:
Geometry students are currently studying logical arguments and proofs. We are seeing how to use definitions and properties to back up statements in a logical order.
Advanced algebra students are currently diving into polynomial functions. We are looking at how to combine different functions. We are also looking at how polynomial graphs are used in real life.
Physics in Manufacturing - students are collecting data with the RC cars to graph and study linear motion.