Course Descriptions
STEM
PLTW: App Creators
This unit will expose students to computer science by computationally analyzing and developing solutions to authentic problems through mobile app development and will convey the positive impact of the application of computer science to other disciplines and to society. Students will customize their experience by choosing a problem that interests them from the areas of health, environment, emergency preparedness, education, community service, and school culture. Because problems in the real world involve more than one discipline, the unit will introduce students to biomedical science concepts as they work on solutions for the specific problems they choose to tackle.
PLTW: Automation and Robotics
If you enjoy taking things apart to see how they work, then this class is for you. In this introductory robotics course, students will explore how robotics and automation impact our society. Students will build mechanisms, which make robots move. The final project includes students programming their robots to perform specific tasks, such as building a dragster.
PLTW: Computer Science for Innovators and Makers
This unit will allow students to discover computer science concepts and skills by creating personally relevant, tangible, and shareable projects. Throughout the unit, students will learn about programming for the physical world by blending hardware design and software development. They will design and develop a physical computing device, interactive art installation, or wearable, and plan and develop code for microcontrollers that bring their physical designs to life. Physical computing projects will promote student awareness of interactive systems, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and broaden their understanding of abstract computer science concepts through meaningful and authentic applications.
PLTW: Design and Modeling
Do you want to learn about what engineers do? Students will learn to think like an engineer and use the design process in order to solve problems. Students will spend time learning about how engineers communicate through the use of sketches and CAD models. Emphasis is placed on understanding how to record and document work in an engineer’s notebook. A majority of the projects require students to sketch, dimension, and create a CAD model for their solution to a problem.
PLTW: Energy and the Environment
In this course, students investigate the impact of energy on our lives and the environment. Students design and model alternative energy sources and participate in an energy expo to demonstrate energy concepts and innovative ideas. Students are challenged to think big and toward the future as they explore sustainable solutions to our energy needs and investigate the impact of energy on our lives and the world. They design and model alternative energy sources and evaluate options for reducing energy consumption.
PLTW: Flight and Space
This course brings to life the rich history of aerospace through hands-on activities, research, and a multimedia presentation. Students explore the science behind aeronautics and use their knowledge to design, build, and test an airfoil.
PLTW: Green Architecture
This course presents the concept of “being green” to the next generation of designers and builders. In this unit, students are introduced to architectural plans, construction styles, alternative materials and processes, dimensioning, measuring and architectural sustainability. Students use a 3D architectural software program to create an environmentally friendly home using shipping containers.
PLTW: Magic of Electrons
In this course, students explore the science of electricity, behavior and parts of atoms, and sensing devices. Students acquire knowledge and skills in basic circuitry design and examine the impact of electricity on our lives.
Industry Technologies (Course may be repeated-7th and 8th grade)
In this course, students will learn valuable skills that can be used in the workplace and/or around the home. Students will learn various tools they can use to design, build, and create projects. For the final project, students will measure, design, build, and race their own CO2 dragster.
PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design and Development (IED) (8th Grade)
Prerequisite: Must have completed or concurrently enrolled in Algebra I.
This course’s major focus is the design process and its application. Through hands-on projects, students apply engineering concepts and communicate their work. Students use industry standard 3D modeling software to help them design solutions to solve proposed problems, document their work, and communicate their solutions to peers and members of the professional community. This course does not earn high school credit but does satisfy the requirements to take advanced PLTW coursework at the high school level.
Business
Information Nation
This course is designed to help students develop and refine workplace communication skills. Students will work on branding, collaborating with others, conflict resolution, among other important employability skills. Students will create their first resume, learn how to compose effective business letters, and apply for employment. Media literacy is an additional component of this course. Understanding how businesses communicate with their customers will be emphasized, as students analyze advertisements and create original advertisements.
Financial Literacy: “Let’s Talk Money”
Financial Literacy helps students explore concepts and work toward a mastery of personal finance skills while deepening their understanding of key ideas and extending their knowledge through a variety of problem-solving applications. Course topics include income, taxation, budgeting, savings accounts, checking accounts, and electronic banking, interest, investments, and stocks; cash, debit, credit, and credit scores and insurance.
mxINCedu (8th Grade)
In this course, students will work in teams to identify a problem to solve, create a product concept, pitch their idea, and iterate based on market learnings and the ecommerce selling experience. Local volunteers from the business community mentor and support this interactive, real-world learning experience. The course will end in students launching a “pop-up” marketplace where students can sell their products.