848107 INTEGRATIVE STEM

Grade 6

Elective:  9 weeks

Students study the resources of all technology, including tools, energy, materials, people, time, information, and capital. This also includes the Engineering Design problem-solving process and various hands-on activities. They explore up to three systems of technology, including medical, agricultural and related biotechnologies, energy and power, information and communication, transportation, manufacturing, and construction. Students relate the impact of technology on society, environment, and culture to future consequences and decisions. The authentic performance will result in each student using what they have learned about technology to engineer solar cars, dragsters, bridges, towers, catapults, and/or to complete embryology and aquaculture projects. Emphasis will be placed on safety, workplace readiness skills, problem solving skills, leadership skills and careers in engineering (STEM).

845407 ENGINEERING AND EXPLORATIONS

Grade 7

Elective:  9 weeks

Students make models of significant inventions that have advanced society. After studying these developments, they explore contemporary technological problems facing them, their community, or the world and apply a systematic procedure to invent new products or innovations as solutions. The authentic performance will result in each student creating a future space colony. Working in groups, students will 1) create a marketing plan for investors and future colonists, 2) create a scaled prototype, and 3) a video presentation. Students will also be involved in growing vegetables and greens in the hydroponics systems as a part of a sustainable food source for the space colony. Emphasis will be placed on workplace readiness skills, problem solving skills, leadership skills and careers in engineering. (STEM)

663207 DESIGN, MULTIMEDIA, AND WEB TECHNOLOGY

Grade 8

Elective:  18 weeks

Students in the Design, Multimedia & Web Technologies course will develop proficiency in the principles of layout, design and content in a variety of disciplines. Design will include fashion; architecture and interior design; print design, and web design. Through projects students will learn teamwork, problem solving and technical applications. Emphasis will be placed on workplace readiness skills, problem solving skills, leadership skills and careers in Design, Multimedia, and Web Technologies.

8846307 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING

Grade 8

Elective:  18 weeks

Authentic, real-world, hands-on projects in the areas of transportation, manufacturing, robotics, agriculture/biotechnology, construction, and energy challenge students to present innovative sustainable design ideas and engineering concepts focused on one of the many sustainability efforts in and around Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School and the Falls Church community. 

The United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development initiative will direct much of the work for this course. Students engage in design and engineering problem solving activities through a sustainability view-point with an emphasis placed on workplace readiness skills, problem solving skills, leadership skills and careers in engineering.