Aerospace Engineering H Syllabus

AEROSPACE ENGINEERING HONORS SYLLABUS

Brian Owens

Mauldin High School -- Room B324

Phone: 355-6536

Email: bowens@greenville.k12.us.sc

Website: https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/bowens 

http://www.pltw.org

Mr. Owens’ 1st Sem. Schedule:

1st Block (8:45 - 10:20) –Intro. to Engineering Hon.

2nd Block (10:26 – 11:58) – Aerospace Engineering Hon.

3rd Block (12:04 – 2:04) -- Planning

4th Block (2:10 – 3:45) --Intro. to Engineering Hon.

**I usually arrive at school by 7:30 a.m. in the morning and rarely leave before 4:00 p.m. I am always available to assist students with any extra help, but these are the best times to catch me.

Learning Objectives/Goals for the Course:

I believe that every student can learn.  It is the job of the teacher to encourage and set up challenging learning situations.  This upper level Engineering course incorporates students’ skills in other subjects, such as history, English, art, math, and technology.  As the teacher, I must present the material in such a way that the student can see relationships.  Students will work some individually, but mostly they will work with a partner or in groups.  Students are required to participate and contribute with all assignments. 

I hope not only for the students to master the content of this course, but for them to also gain an appreciation and love for what they are doing.  Even if the students do not continue on in the Engineering Program, it is my goal for them to walk away with a positive educational experience that will reinforce their mastery of other content areas, such as math, science, and technology.

Course Description:

Through hands-on engineering projects developed with NASA, students in this honors-level course learn about aerodynamics, astronautics, space-life sciences, and systems engineering (which includes the study of intelligent vehicles like the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity). This course must be taught by a teacher who has received Project Lead the Way training. Students in this course will be required to work with more intensity, at a deeper level, and produce a wider range of more difficult and complex material. PREREQUISITE: Teacher rec 

Aerospace Engineering (AE) is the study of the engineering discipline which develops new technologies for use in aviation, defense systems, and space exploration.

The course explores the evolution of flight, flight fundamentals, navigation and control, aerospace materials, propulsion, space travel, orbital mechanics, ergonomics, remotely operated systems and related careers. In addition the course presents alternative applications for aerospace engineering concepts.

Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based (APPB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students will analyze, design, and build aerospace systems. While implementing these designs, students will continually hone their interpersonal skills, creativity, and application of the design process. Students apply knowledge gained throughout the course in a final multi-media project to envision their future professional accomplishments.

Aerospace Engineering is a high school level course that is appropriate for 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students interested in Aerospace. It is recommended that students are concurrently enrolled in college preparatory mathematics and science courses and have successfully completed the Principles of Engineering (POE) course.

AE is one of the specialization courses in the Project Lead The Way high school engineering program. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary-level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology.

The course of study includes:

·         Introduction of Aerospace Engineering

·          Evolution of flight

·          Physics of flight

·          Airfoils

·          Air navigation

·          Air traffic control

·          Global positioning system, GPS

·         Aerospace Design

·          Aerospace materials

·          Turbine, rocket and space propulsion

·          Flight Physiology

·         Space

·          Space law

·          Space junk

·          Orbital mechanics

·         Alternative Applications

·          Alternative applications

·          Remote systems

·          Rover design and building

·          Aerospace careers

Textbook:

We will be following the Project Lead the Way Curriculum. Even though several reference texts will be used throughout the year, no specific textbook will be assigned to the student.

Prerequisites:

Students must show a strong science and mathematics background and have teacher/counselor recommendation, and have successfully completed Introduction to Engineering and Design.

AI Tools

This year, students will use MagicSchool AI, a generative AI platform designed specifically for education. As tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become standard in the professional world, utilizing MagicSchool prepares students for the future workforce by teaching safe and responsible technology use.

Students will use these tools for real-time feedback and dynamic problem-solving. To ensure appropriate use, teachers retain access to all student chats. MagicSchool strictly protects privacy and does not collect or utilize student data. All AI software, including MagicSchool, complies with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.

 This course may utilize generative AI tools, such as MagicSchool and Google Gemini, to supplement traditional instruction. Greenville County Schools prioritizes the ethical use of these technologies for brainstorming and self-guided learning.

• Critical Thinking First: AI must not replace original thought or coursework.

• Academic Integrity: Using AI to complete and submit assignments as original work constitutes plagiarism.

• Required Citation: If teacher-approved, all AI use must be properly cited.

• Content Awareness: Students must remain vigilant regarding potential biases and inaccuracies in AI-generated content.

• Policy Compliance: All AI programs align with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.

 Schoolwide Makeup Work Policy

• Students have 1 school day for each absence to 

  • submit missed work for full credit -OR-

  • arrange a new due date with the teacher within 5 school days (extenuating circumstances)

  • Make-up Tests will be scheduled by the teacher--it is the student's responsibility to make these arrangements with the teacher.

• After this window, work is considered late

Schoolwide Late Work Policy (Does not apply to AP Courses)

• All minor assignments and projects will have a Due Date and a Final Deadline. 

1. Due Dates are the initial day an assignment is due. 

2. The Final Deadline is the last day an assignment will be accepted for credit.

3. Assignments submitted after the Due Date but before the Final Deadline may receive a late penalty.

• Minor Assignments and Homework

  • If not submitted by the Due Date: a grade of 0 will be recorded until the required work is submitted.

  • Final Deadline: no work will be accepted after the end of the quarter.

• Tests (Major Assessment)

  • Make-up Tests will be scheduled by the teacher--it is the student's responsibility to arrange this with the teacher.

  • A student who refuses to take a scheduled test while present at school will receive a final grade of 0 on the assessment.

• Projects (Major Assessment)

  • If not submitted by the Due Date: a grade of 0 will be recorded until the required work is submitted.

  • Final Deadline: no project will be accepted after the end of the quarter.

Class requirements / objectives:

The course assumes no previous knowledge, but students should be concurrently enrolled in college preparatory mathematics and science. Students will employ engineering and scientific concepts in the solution of engineering design problems. The major focus of the AE course is to explore the wide variety of careers in engineering and technology and cover various technology systems and manufacturing processes. Using activities, projects, and problems, students learn first hand how engineers and technicians use math, science, and technology in an engineering problem solving process to benefit people. The course also addresses concerns about social and political consequences of technological change.  Aerospace Engineering™ is one of the optional specialization courses in the Project Lead The Way® high school pre-engineering program. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology. Students are required to keep up with their work and notes, however, much of the work will be turned in electronically.  

Grading System:

Classwork, Homework, Quizzes     40%

Tests / Projects                               60%

Classwork and homework includes all in class assignments done in class or begun in class and finished for homework. Most work is checked for completion, however, some classwork assignments may be graded for accuracy as well. All work turned in for a grade is must be turned in on the due date. Points may be deducted for work turned in after the due date. Quizzes are given periodically to assess students understanding of a given concept between tests. Students are expected to keep up with work daily and to ask questions when they do not understand something. If a student is absent, missed work is due the next day unless they make other arrangements with the teacher. It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to get assignments missed when absent and to make arrangements with the teacher to make up quizzes or tests.

Projects and hands-on activities are an integral part of this class. Students are required to follow all safety rules and guidelines discussed in the safety contract signed by both the student and the parent. Labs should be fun, but safety of everyone is of the utmost priority. Any student violating safety rules or horse playing during labs will receive a zero for the assignment and will be referred to the administration for disciplinary action. A student who is absent for a lab is responsible for making arrangements with the teacher to make up the assignment.   Tests are given to assess the students’ mastery of the course content. Review sheets will be given before every test and should be completed by the student before the test day. Retests are NOT given, so it is important that students prepare adequately for the tests. Grades will follow the typical SC Grading Scale as listed below.

SC Grading Scale:

A          90-100

B          80-89

C          70-79

D          60-69

F           0-59

 Schoolwide Makeup Work Policy

• Students have 1 school day for each absence to 

  • submit missed work for full credit -OR-

  • arrange a new due date with the teacher within 5 school days (extenuating circumstances)

  • Make-up Tests will be scheduled by the teacher

• After this window, work is considered late

Schoolwide Late Work Policy (Does not apply to AP Courses)

• All minor assignments and projects will have a Due Date and a Final Deadline. 

1. Due Dates are the initial day an assignment is due. 

2. The Final Deadline is the last day an assignment will be accepted for credit.

3. Assignments submitted after the Due Date but before the Final Deadline may receive a late penalty.

• Minor Assignments and Homework

  • If not submitted by the Due Date: a grade of 0 will be recorded.

  • A Late Penalty of [0-40 points] will be applied if the assignment is submitted before the Final Deadline.

  • Final Deadline: no work will be accepted after [3 school days or up to end of quarter].

• Tests (Major Assessment)

  • Make-up Tests will be scheduled by the teacher

  • A student who refuses to take a scheduled test while present at school will receive a final grade of 0 on the assessment.

• Projects (Major Assessment)

  • If not submitted by the Due Date: a grade of 0 will be recorded.

  • A Late Penalty of [0-40 points] will be applied if the project is submitted before the Final Deadline.

  • Final Deadline: no project will be accepted after [3 days  or up to the end of quarter].

Class Rules / Consequences:

My classroom rules are simple ( I call them the 4 “P’s”.)

1) Punctual. (Students should get to class on time.)

2) Prepared. (Students should bring books, notebooks, and pencils to class everyday.)

3) Polite. (RESPECT for the teacher and other students is REQUIRED.)

4) Practice all school rules. (If it is a school rule, it is a class rule.)

Consequences for breaking rules are as follows:

First Offense – Warning.

Second Offense – 15 min. detention. (Call home.)

Third Offense -- 30 min. detention. (Call home.)

Fourth Offense -- Office referral.

Outline and time frame of Units:

Unit 1: Introduction to Aerospace                               Time: 24 days

Lesson 1.1: Evolution of Flight (4 days)

Lesson 1.2: Physics of Flight (10 days)

Lesson 1.3: Flight Planning and Navigation (10 days)

Unit 2: Aerospace Design                                            Time: 25 days

Lesson 2.1: Materials and Structures (10 days)

Lesson 2.2: Propulsion (10 days)

Lesson 2.3: Flight Physiology (5 days)

Unit 3: Space                                                               Time: 15 days

Lesson 3.1: Space Travel (5 Days)

Lesson 3.2: Orbital Mechanics (10 Days)

Unit 4: Alternative Applications                                  Time: 22 Days

Lesson 4.1: Alternative Applications (5 Days)

Lesson 4.2: Remote Systems (13 Days)

Lesson 4.3: Aerospace Careers (4 Days)

**Students must keep a class notebook. 3-Ring binders are usually the best since students can put work directly into them. Much of the students’ work will be submitted electronically, but it is always wise for them to keep original copies of all work turned in.