Technology & engineering

Open to Grades 9 & 10

Engineering the Future is a project based course that will help students develop a better understanding of technology and engineering. Students will develop their ability to use the engineering design process in solving technological challenges and have the opportunity to use modern technology and 3D printing in developing solutions. Students will understand how advances in technology affect human society and the complementary relationship between science, technology and engineering. Past projects include: building a better gumball machine, making steamboats, building redesign, frame construction, laser cutting, and circuit design.

Open to all grades

This is an introductory course which teaches design fundamentals and skills for planning and building residential structures. The class will use AutoCAD, a professional, computer-aided drafting (CAD) system and Google SketchUp to create plans for a single family home. Students will be presented with the challenge of designing and modeling a home within given criteria and constraints. Their solution will be presented to their peers and visiting professional architects. Drafting and design offers many career opportunities which will be explored through site visits and guest lecturers.

Prerequisite:  Drafting & Design Technology (B or above)

Students will use their design experience to develop a professional proposal for commercial or mixed use development in Ipswich. The proposal will include CAD floor plans, 3D models and development of a narrative to sell their idea.

Prerequisite: Grades 10, 11 & 12 Successful completion of this course may be applied to the science graduation requirement. 

In Engineering Technology II, students will use the Engineering Design Process to solve a series of complex design challenges requiring advanced materials and methods. Employing processes used by engineers, the students learn teamwork, analysis techniques, communication skills and the importance of completing a task on time within given criteria and constraints. Students will be required to complete engineering presentations on their work as well as current topics in science and technology.

Prerequisite: Grades 11 and 12. Successful completion of this course may be applied to the science graduation requirement.

Engineering Projects students will participate in the Student Racing Challenge which is an engineering project-based curriculum and annual competition where you will practice as a professional in careers with a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Ten80 Student Racing Challenge teams are mini-race teams that compete using 1:10 scale electric RC cars. Student teams earn points between October and May and points leaders compete in the National Finals held in the spring. Students enrolled in the class are expected to participate in all team events including weekend fundraising and travel.

Prerequisite: Grades 11 and 12. Successful completion of this course may be applied to the science graduation requirement.

This hands-on engineering course introduces students to the world of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining using state-of-the-art Shark HD510 three-axis routers. Students will learn to work with wood, plastics, and non-ferrous metals, mastering the skills needed to create professional-quality custom products. The course emphasizes image and text manipulation in a CNC environment, utilizing software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and VCarve by Vectric to design toolpaths and execute precision machining.

Students will reinforce their understanding of the engineering design process through measured drawings, 3D modeling, and prototyping. They will produce designs both by hand and using advanced software like Onshape or SolidWorks. The curriculum also includes an introduction to basic finishing techniques to complete high-quality projects.

By the end of the course, students will have the skills to design, model, and fabricate unique products, preparing them for future work in engineering, design, or manufacturing fields. 

Prerequisite: Grades 11 and 12. Successful completion of this course may be applied to the science graduation requirement.

The CNC Manufacturing Technology course introduces students to the fundamentals of CNC (computer numerical control) machining. Students learn the fundamentals of CNC machining by working with the EMCO Concept Mill 55 to accurately machine a series of increasingly complex parts. The course will also introduce students to the basic elements of CAD (computer aided design) and CAM (computer aided manufacturing) to create files that can be used to produce CNC parts. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Siemens Lifelong Educational Advantage Program (LEAP) certification.

This course introduces the principles of machine design (robotics) and the roles that robots play in our lives. Students will increase their understanding about what makes a robot a robot, how robots sense, think and act as well as the uses and limitations of working robots. Students will better understand the roles of project management, mechanical electronics and process language computer programming in the open-ended design and development of machines to accomplish different tasks. The class will learn basic robotics using the VEX EDR Robotics Systems and remote as well as open loop and closed loop autonomous control system programming in Graphical C and Robot C.

Prerequisite: B or above in Algebra I, B or above in Robotics I or computer programming and teacher approval. Grades 10, 11 & 12

In this course, students will learn advanced robotics/machine design concepts and techniques with a focus on programming and electronics using task-oriented robots controlled by Arduino microcontrollers, Raspberry-Pi microcomputers, or similar products. Arduino and Raspberry-Pi products can be used to control DC motors, servo motors, lights and buzzers,  and receive input from numerous other sensors and cameras. The course will start with guided lessons on integrating robotics systems and coding using object-oriented programming in C/C++ in the Eclipse IDE and Python, Java or C++ using the Raspbian OS and Eclipse or Algo IDE, Putty SSH Terminal emulator, or equivalent set-up. Students will learn to use sensors to adapt their robot to its environment by reading inputs and controlling outputs. There will be a final hands-on design project, where students will specify, design, build, and program an Autonomous or Remotely Controlled robot or other robotic device, such as a robot arm. Students will be expected to keep engineering notebooks, create presentations on their work, and write reflections on their designs. Current topics in the field of robotics will be reviewed and discussed through assigned readings and viewings of TED talks.

Open to all grades

3D Printing is a tool that allows people to create new things, limited only by imagination. 3D printing and modeling projects empower students to take chances and make mistakes thereby acquiring the problem-solving skills and confidence that will convince them to keep trying until their designs succeed. In this course, students will explore the 3D printing additive manufacturing process in which an object is built over time by stacking layers of material directly on top of each other. These layers fuse together to assemblies. This course is designed around a process or task based approach to training. The course will emphasize the processes and procedures you follow to complete a particular task.

Lab exercises will be used to give students the opportunity to apply and practice the material covered during the demonstration portion of the course. Exercises are designed to represent typical engineering design and modeling situations while being modest enough for beginning students to complete during class time.

The goal of this course is to teach students how to use the Solidworks design automation software to build parametric models of parts and assemblies and how to make simple drawings of those parts and 

Students may take this class every year.

First Robotics Competition (FRC) combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources and time limits, teams are challenged to raise funds, design a team brand, and hone teamwork skills as the team programs and build a robot to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. Students who elect FRC will be required to participate in 6 weekend build sessions and at least two regional competitions during March and April.

The Basics of Engineering Audio Technology (BEAT) is a new, hands-on course in which students learn about, explore, and build technological devices associated with music and audio production. Students will have the opportunity to experiment with, design, and create items such as instruments, amplifiers, speakers, headphones, and microphones. The class is co-taught by members of the engineering and music faculties, but there is no prior knowledge or coursework required. Course topics will include acoustics, objective and subjective analysis of sound and music (both analog and digital), electronic engineering project-based learning, and big picture questions about the role of sound and music in society. This course is closely aligned with the STEAM pathway, and provides a wealth of practical and creative experience that will lead to a deeper understanding of all that is audible.