COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

MechatronicsEngineering is a year-long, 519-hour Laboratory Science course focusing on the scientific principles of physics, energy conservation, electronic sensing, computerized data acquisition, and automated process control. This Mechatronics Engineering course is designed to introduce students to the growing field of Mechatronics. Mechatronics is a blending of electrical and mechanical engineering & design. It is a study of the design of "intelligent" systems in which mechanization and control, requiring sensing, actuation, and computation are combined to achieve improved product quality and performance. 

In this inquiry-grounded, project-based learning course, students act as engineers, designing, analyzing, and building systems that automate industrial processes. Students will engage in interdisciplinary learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) through a hands-on, project-based approach. 

Students who complete this curriculum will have an understanding of mechanical and electronic systems. Students will learn how to analyze and debug electronic circuits, mechanical assemblies, motors and control systems. Students will receive introductory level exploratory instruction on topics including proper use of hand tools, machinery tools, print reading, robotics, pneumatics, electrical control, basic concepts of mechanical and electrical engineering, computer-aided design (CAD), and real world applications of these concepts. Depth of knowledge will be demonstrated through a series of projects starting with research and initial design and culminating with the completion of a build project that is geared toward solving real-world problems. Class projects will include robotics, industrial automation, industrial process control, pneumatics, and electro-mechanical systems. Essentially, activities in this course include work-based learning that connects students to industry and the local community. 

The focus of this program is to educate and train a new generation of students who understand both mechanical and electrical systems that make up an industrial manufacturing and robotic infrastructure. Mechatronics Engineering is designed to prepare students for employment in the High Technology and Manufacturing industry. Upon completion, students may be employed in Mechatronics and Electronics related career paths, in engineering, industrial packaging, maintenance, and robotic systems.

Topics that may also be explored are: The function of programmable logic controllers (PLC) and other programmable devices.

PREREQUISITES/COREQUISITES: 

• Prerequisites: Algebra I / Math 1 (Required) 

• Co-requisites: Algebra II / Math II (Recommended)

Any examinations will be based solely on lectures, presentations, labs, and notes provided throughout the course. References that may be useful as study aids will be provided throughout the course.

Required Course Materials & Equipment:

There are specific required texts for this course. Access to a school provided computer (desktop or laptop) is required. Check with the instructor if a personal Laptop can be used. Any examinations will be based solely on lectures, presentations, laboratories and notes provided throughout the course. References that may be useful as study aids will be provided throughout the course. There are in class accessible text books and reference materials.

On-Line Reference Material:

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Student Learning Outcomes & OBJECTIVES: As a result of this course, you will be able to:

• Hands on Physics <-- Satisfies the A-G "d" Physics

• AC/DC Electronic Fundamentals

• Digital  Electronic Fundamentals

• Programing with Microcontrollers

• Mechanical 3D Design & Printing

• Pneumatic Systems

• Programmable Logic Controllers

• Industrial Robotic Theory & Application

GRADING:

Career Technical Education (CTE) is very different that a traditional comprehensive high school class.  Assignments are divided between Academic (30%), Technical (30%), Career (30%) and 10% for "Dig Deeper" assignments where students stretch themselves..  Also, because of the nature of the Hands On Skills based assessments, the grade assignment on just final exams and class quizzes does not really reflect the learning and skills mastery students gain here at SVCTE. 

To determine your final grade in the course, you points will be summed between Skills Mastery on Quizzes, Assignments, Hands on Labs, Module and Unit Summative Assessments. These will be converted to letter grades as follows: 

 100%-96% =A
>96%-88% = A-
>88%-82% = B+
>82%-75% = B
>75%-67% = B-
>67%-59% = C+
>59%-50% = C
>50%-41% = C-
>41%-35% = D+
>35%-28% = D
>28%-20% = D-
>20%-0%   = F

ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION: Explain how assignments are to be submitted. 

LATE WORK: Explain your policy for late work, including whether points will be deducted for late work and at what point you will no longer accept a late assignment. When you use “days” as a measurement of lateness, specify whether you are talking about weekdays only, or calendar days (including weekends).

RESUBMISSIONS: If you will allow students to re-submit assignments for a higher grade, describe that process here.

PLAGIARISM/ACADEMIC OFFENSES: Describe your policy for dealing with plagiarism. This should be in line with your university’s policy on academic offenses. Include a reference to this policy, so students can look it up themselves. 

OTHER: Any other course-specific information you’d like to include.

Why I Grade Like This? How Did I Come To This Philosophy?

I'm really trying to create an environment where students are "graded" on Skills Mastery, and not just what they know at a specific moment in time.  I want a student who is struggling, to keep working and learning.  So if they are trying to master a specific skill, and it take them 3 times to do that with a quiz, then how about I average the 3 time they take the quiz. Maybe even weight the last time to show improvement.   This way their improvement is included in the measurement of their skills mastery. Maybe they have a laboratory activity, and they have to show mastery.  I want them to keep practicing until they show me they have mastered the skill.  If I just measure them on a specific point in time, assign them a grade, and move on, the learning has stopped.  An example might be "soldering 2 wires together".  I'll have a skill mastery example, and if a student show mastery after 3 time, great.  If it takes them 20 time, great.  They still will get 100% for that mastery example they show me.  

I know it's more work for a teacher, but I'm going to accept late work.  Sure, there will be a small penalty for not properly planning and managing a schedule (which is a Career Skill), but never more than 10%, even if it's 2 weeks late.  There will eventually always be a hard grading deadline, but until that deadline comes and goes, I will accept late skills mastery work for almost 100% credit.

See these references for more on why I grade this way:

• The Problem with Grading

• Grading for Equity

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY: 

Attendance and Participation in class is a key part of showing you are learning professional behavior.  Each week you will be awarded Professional points. There is not a grade specifically on Attendance, but you will be graded on Participation and "workplace communication".  It is recognized that there are times when it is necessary for you to miss school... but you still need to communicate when that happens.  It is also understood that there will be emergencies, where you can't communicate BEFORE, but you are expected to communicate with your teacher as soon as possible.

When you miss class, you miss labs and lectures... some of which can't be made up... and this has an effect on your grade. When you miss a day at SVCTE it is like missing 2-3 days at your home school... and it really does have a detrimental effect on your grade due to the work and assignments you missed.

If you are Absent/Tardy, and also don't communicate BEFORE class, you will lose participation points for that day.  Depending on what we are doing that day, you could also miss an "in class only lab", and by missing that, you could also miss additional points for that day.

If You Are Going To Miss A Class - Expectations:

• You are expected to attend and participate in each class.  If you are going to miss class, you are expected to communicate that you will miss, BEFORE the class you are missing.  Just like a job, if you are going to miss, you communicate with your boss beforehand and let them know.

• You are also expected to have a parent/guardian or school counselor call the SVCTE absence hotline.

How To Clear An Absence With The School Attendance Office:

• Not only do you need to communicate with your teacher using this assignment, but you also need to have a parent/guardian or school counselor call the SVCTE absence hotline.

• It is your responsibility to clear these absences within 3 days. Please have a parent, guardian or school counselor call the Absence Hotline (408) 723-4260 the day of the absence or the next day of any absence. For you to be able to make up the missed work, you must clear the absence.

• Students with excessive absences or tardies will jeopardize their enrollment at SVCTE.

How  You Are Expected To Communicate An Absence Through Email:

• If you are going to not be able to attend class this week, Please specify the day, and the reason.  (I don't actually need to know the exact reason, just that you are communicating... so you could say "I will miss Monday Jan 12 because I stayed up too late last night and needed to get some extra sleep")

  • For you to not lose any points, you must:

  • If you are sending me Email please use jburnham@metroed.net

  • If you are txt'ing me or leaving a voicemail use my Google number ‪1 (669) 252-0925‬ <-- Please tell me who you are... "Hi, this is <your name>, and I want to tell you...."

  • Subject: <your name> - I will be missing class today

  • Message Example:

    • I will miss Monday Jan 12 because I have a drivers Ed appointment

    • I will miss Wed Jan 14 as I have a Dr appointment

    • I will miss Thursday Feb 14 as I have a counselor meeting during class

    • I will miss class Friday April 9 because I have a Field Trip

Course Units, Modules, Topics, and Outline

Unit 1: Introduction to Mechatronics and Industrial Safety: Students will explore the importance of maintaining personal and occupational safety when working with industrial systems, robotic equipment and hardware. 

• Emergency Procedures

• Safety hazard reporting

• Cyber ethics, cyber safety, and cyber security

• General shop safety rules and procedures

• Types of hazardous waste, safety issues, and proper handling and disposal procedures

• Personal safety practices to and from the job

• Procedure for reporting a work-related hazard or injury

• Effects of substance abuse in the workplace

• Immediate, potential, and hidden hazards

• Housekeeping tasks related to maintaining a safe work environment 

• Safety test with a perfect score prior to operating equipment

• Proper safe use of tools and equipment

• Identify safety color codes and their uses

• Lock-out and tag-out procedures (LOTO)