This STEM course is a basic introduction to engineering for all students. Students who complete this course will learn the concepts necessary in order to develop their ideas into solutions that will improve our lives. Exciting hands-on learning activities like data comparison of heart rates, rating consumer products,  destructive testing and building speakers apply math, science, history and English content from other courses in a STEM experience. This course makes science and mathematics more engaging, interesting, concrete, and relevant. 

In this class, I learned how different systems such as AI robots or bridges are are constructed and how to test if the system is functioning. We then analyzed and designed our own models by learning how to use CAD to improve its structure. Other than CAD, we conducted lab experiments on meteorites and PHET simulations using Kinematic formulas. 

The course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. Topics include review of material taught in the introductory class, in-depth coverage of classes and objects, one and two dimensional arrays, inheritance, polymorphism, and recursion. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using Java language.

While coding, I learned how to incorporate if, else, for-while, and while statements in Arrays, ArrayLists, and 2D Arrays. After each lesson, we would constructing code in different ways to see if it would compile in jGRASP. For extra practice, I used CodingBat to further test my knowledge and complete MCQ practice from the textbook. Computer Science has taught me to think outside the box and stay patient which help me think clearly.

This is a college-level course that provides a systematic introduction to the main principles of physics – in particular, mechanics and fluids. This course will provide foundational physics concepts for students interested in deeper study of life sciences, pre-medicine, and some courses for physicists and engineers. It will also offer an excellent preparation for rigorous university physics courses.

In Physics, I learned how to apply numerous formulas such as Kinematics, Work, Torque, Friction, and Linear Momentum into different situations. We also completed Labs like stacking baloons with tape, bouncing a ball, and swinging a ball attached to a weight to help us better understand each unit. We also got to learn from the Navy Seal how physicist calculate a projectile launch to accurately aim at the target. 

This advanced engineering STEM course makes a contribution to the curriculum by providing opportunities for students and teachers to link content together and apply it to solve problems. More and more jobs demand advanced skills, requiring people to be able to learn, reason, think creatively, make decisions, and solve problems. An understanding of science, technology, engineering and math and their methods contributes in an essential way to these skills. Principles of Engineering is a team-based advanced course designed for most students.  

Although we didn't have an Engineering 2 class this year, I got to take a college level equivalent class called Science, Engineering, and Technology. In the beginning, we learned career planning, job searching, and how to use basic tools like Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Afterwards, we focused on building different structures in a software called OnShape which we calculated using formulas we learned in Engineering 1.

sophia.lf.aldana@gmail.com