Computer Technology and Engineering

FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGINEERING 

Grade: 9 - 12

Credits: 2.5

Prerequisites: None

The goal of this course is to give students the skills they need to succeed in STEM fields.   These skills include, but are not limited to: utilizing and applying the engineering problem solving model, developing an understanding of weights and measurements, acquire skills in orthographic and isometric drawing, developing an understanding of aerodynamics, electrical circuits, structural engineering, mastery of group dynamics, problem identification, brainstorming, critical thinking, long-term planning, and reflection.   Most class periods will be spent in group work on projects, involving each step of the scientific and engineering method.  Some periods will be student-generated discussion about the relevant scientific and engineering concepts behind the projects.  This class will allow students to experience school and the classroom in ways which reflect industry practices and models.   (This course is paired with Introduction to Aerospace-Flying Machines) 

INTRODUCTION TO AEROSPACE-FLYING MACHINES

Grade: 9 - 12

Credits: 2.5

Prerequisites: None

In this hands-on course, students will explore the evolution of man’s attempts to conquer the skies.  Projects require students to design, build, and test: parachutes, balloons, paper gliders, balsa gliders, launch gliders, propeller airplanes, and small rockets.  Students will build airfoils and test them in wind tunnels, calculate the four forces of flight, and understand Bernouli’s Principle.  (This course is paired with Fundamentals of Engineering.) 

DATA SCIENCE

Grades 9-12

Credits: 2.5

Prerequisite:  None 

Data scientists are in high demand across various industries to uncover hidden insights within data. This course provides students with the core skills to become a data scientist, including data collection, cleaning, transformation, analysis, and visualization. Students will learn to write algorithms, craft data-driven stories, and develop statistical models using Python libraries. They will gain hands-on experience with the same tools that data scientists use to derive meaningful insights and address business challenges.  (This course is paired with Introduction to Cybersecurity.)

INTRODUCTION TO CYBERSECURITY

Grades 9-12

Credits: 2.5

Prerequisite:  None 

This course aims to introduce students to foundational concepts in cybersecurity and spark an interest in pursuing careers in this field.  Cybersecurity is an in-depth, semester-based course designed to teach high school students the essentials of cybersecurity. It offers a rigorous and relevant curriculum that meets the standards for high-quality cybersecurity education.  The course not only covers real-world cybersecurity concepts and skills but also prepares students to validate their knowledge through the CompTIA Security+ certification.  The activities in the Cybersecurity course are designed for use with a cyber range— a virtual lab environment where students can simulate cybersecurity scenarios in a secure, controlled setting. This enables students to explore the backend of IT systems utilized by modern industries.  The activities and labs are versatile and can be used across various classroom setups. They are not dependent on any specific cyber range, making them adaptable to different lab configurations.  (This course is paired with Data Science.)

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

Grades 10-12

Credits: 5

This course will teach students the basics of architectural design using the same software used by Architects and Media Professionals.  This is a survey course that will cover a broad range of topics.  Basic Architectural and engineering concepts will be addressed along with many of the 3D modeling, rendering and compositing techniques used by game developers, visual effects artists, and other creative professionals engaged in media design. This course is best for students who are considering a career in Architecture or 3D Graphics and Media Design. 

COMPUTER AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Grade: 10-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite:  None

The course has two themes. The first theme introduces computer concepts and programming. Topics include hardware and software fundamentals; computer and information systems; data communications and computer networks; World Wide Web and the Internet; social impact of computers including discussions on privacy, security, civil liberty, risk of computers, intellectual properties, and computer related legislations. The second theme familiarizes students with leading application software such as Excel, Powerpoint, Access and Web design programs. Practical computer problem-solving skills are emphasized through intensive hands-on exercises.  This is a dual enrollment course with William Paterson University. 

ROBOTICS

Grades 10-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisite:  None 

Technology plays an increasingly vital role in daily life, with students often referred to as Digital Natives. However, research indicates that many of these individuals lack a deep conceptual understanding of how technology works, why it works, and the implications of its use.  

This curriculum is designed to help students become technologically literate. Robotics technology serves as a cornerstone of 21st-century American innovation, showcasing its growing significance across various applications and its potential to inspire education in technology. Robotics is poised to drive the development of next-generation products and applications in fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, national defense, agriculture, and transportation. Additionally, it provides learners of all ages with opportunities to explore key concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), sparking interest in STEM-related careers.  The main objective of this course is to inspire students to recognize their potential to create and innovate. Invention is not reserved for others—it is something they, too, can accomplish. This will be achieved through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, including collaborative teamwork and projects involving basic electrical, mechanical, and robotic devices, as well as, programming.

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES 

Grades: 10-12

Credits: 5

Prerequisites: none

AP Computer Science Principles offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. The course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. The course is particularly useful for those students who are considering a major or minor in a Computer Science, STEM or Engineering field.  All students enrolled in this class are expected to prepare for and take the Advanced Placement AP Computer Science Principals exam in May.

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A 

Grade: 11-12

Credits: 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of AP Computer Science Principles or Computer and Information Technology

Computer science involves problem-solving, hardware, and algorithms that help people utilize computers and incorporate multiple perspectives to address real-world problems in contemporary life. As the study of computer science continues to evolve, the careful design of the AP Computer Science A course strives to engage a diverse student population, including female and underrepresented students, by allowing them to discover the power of computer science through rewarding yet challenging concepts.  AP Computer Science A introduces students to computer science through programming. Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.  The AP Computer Science A course requires that solutions of problems be written in the Java programming language. Because the Java programming language is extensive, with far more features than could be covered in a single introductory course, the AP Computer Science A Exam covers a subset of Java.