Intro to Technology & Engineering

Intro and Video

In Introduction to Technology and Engineering students develop an understanding of the progression and scope of technology through exploratory experiences. In group and individual activities, students experience ways in which technological knowledge and processes contribute to effective designs, abilities, and skills contribute to effective design and solutions to technological problems. Students participate in design activities to understand how criteria, constraints, and processes affect designs. Brainstorming, visualizing, modeling, constructing, testing, and refining designs provide firsthand opportunities for students to understand the uses and impacts of innovations. Students develop skills in communicating design information and reporting results. This course is a cornerstone for a middle school technology education program.

Students will study and experience through application and hands-on activities many new technologies that affect their daily lives. The course involves the application and reinforcement of skills and knowledge students have developed in other subjects. These include reading, writing, math, and problem-solving skills. Students will also have an opportunity to apply and reinforce knowledge acquired in science classes. Thirteen different technology topics comprise the 6th grade program. Students will have the opportunity to work in up to three of these different areas of study and/or work on various projects related to these modular topics.

Introduction to Technology & Engineering Technology

Course #8481

Instructional Philosophy

All students are required to satisfactorily complete all of their lab activities, which include but are not limited to, research questions, projects/experiments, math work, test, and journal activities. Instructional delivery is given through lectures, demonstrations, videos, computers, instructional manuals, and various pieces of equipment used in their experiments. The instructor is a facilitator who coordinates, helps, oversees, and encourages the progress of each student.

Student Learning Goals

• Comprehend the dynamics of technology, including its development, impact, and potential.

• Employ basic skills and the technological processes of problem solving utilizing the design cycle and its four elements: Investigate, Plan, Create a product/solution, and Evaluate.

• Analyze technological systems and subsystems, including the tools, materials, processes, energy, information, and people involved in systems.

• Apply scientific principles, engineering concepts, and technological systems in the processes of technology.

• Interlock experiences with all other curriculum areas.

• Create an awareness of quality work, effective use of class time, safety, and organization, following procedures, working in teams, and finishing an assigned task.

Expectations

Students are expected to bring the following to class each day:

• spiral notebook (to be used for all electives throughout the year)

• writing utensils (#2 pencil), paper

• classwork, homework

• project (s) and /or multimedia materials

Safety

All students will be expected to complete a general safety test, a series of safety tests on specific tools and equipment or both.

1. Students must pass appropriate written safety test(s) with a raw score 100%.

2. A safety policy and procedure sheet will be provided and will need a signature by a parent or guardian.

3. Students must complete a practical assessment on the equipment. Students cannot operate equipment or power tools prior to the above being done.

Assessment Plan

The overall letter grade is based on HCPS grading scale found on the HCPS website. The student/s grade will be determined by using the following categories and percentages:

• 35% Tests/Projects

• 30% Quiz

• 10% Independent Practice

• 25% Classwork

Course Topics & Projects

**Preliminary Topics and Outline; Subject to Change or Revision**

Below is a summary outline of the course, major projects, and plans for instructional delivery. All students will be required to participate in the topics or units listed. Students will complete challenges and modules as they proceed through various units or topics. Major course projects may vary.

1. Introduction to Course, Student organization (TSA), Laboratory and equipment safety, Measurement

2. What is Technology? History of Technology, Areas of Technology (Intro), Emerging and Predicting Technologies; Research on Technological careers associated with Areas of Technology

3. Sail Car Challenge

4. Energy Technology Unit: Building a Wind Turbine (Project)

5. Architecture & Building and Construction Technology: Sketching/Drawing a Floor Plan, Bridge Building with playing cards, Straw Tower Challenge

6. Workplace readiness skills.

7. Simple Machines and Compound Machines Unit

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