STEM AUTOMOTIVE

Course Overview

This is a two-semester introductory STEM automotive course where students will explore the application of math, science, engineering and various technologies found in modern vehicles. Students will analyze how the automobile impacts our lives and our environment. This course emphasizes academic rigor, hands-on explorations, and project-based learning. The automobile holds high interest for many students and serves as an excellent platform for making learning relevant.

The first semester will focus on the basic design, operation, safety and basic maintenance of the automobile from a systems standpoint. Students will be presented with real-world problems that require them to work collaboratively to propose and justify solutions. Students will acquire and demonstrate knowledge through investigations, analysis, reading, and writing. Students will share knowledge through oral presentations of projects. For example, one project will require students to research and identify social, environmental and ethical issues related to the automobile, and to use this information to predict what future cars will be like. Students will create their concept of the car of the future and present and defend their design.

The second semester will incorporate STEM explorations. After digging into the mathematics, physics and chemistry behind automotive systems, students will learn the concepts by performing hands-on tasks and repairs in an automotive STEM Lab. Students will also explore resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook to determine career opportunities and preparation requirements for career readiness in automotive engineering, maintenance and service professions.