Exploring Engineering


Mr. Alexander Burgess

Bachelor of Science in Technology Education

Master of School Administration

(North Carolina State University)

acburgess@wcpss.net

Classes I Teach

Dear students and parents,

In this time of uncertainty and crisis I would like to make sure class materials are available and can be accessed. Below you will find the latest updates and reminders in regard to the course you are assigned.

Course materials are available through Google Classroom. Course names are listed below and course codes will be distributed soon.

8th Grade Course Description:

This Middle School course focuses on applying the design process in the invention or innovation of a new product, process, or system. Through engaging activities and hands-on projects, students focus on understanding how criteria, constraints, and processes affect designs. Emphasis is placed on brainstorming, visualizing, modeling, testing, and refining designs. Students develop skills in researching information, communicating design information, and reporting results. Activities are structured to integrate physical and social sciences, mathematics, English language arts, and art. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include mentorship, school-based enterprise, service learning , and job shadowing. Apprenticeship and cooperative education are not available for this course. Technology Student Association (TSA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences. This would include the design and creativity in the engineering world along with technology and how that impacts society.

Units:

Exploring Engineering and Design 3A (1st 9 weeks)

  • Design and Creativity (1 Unit)

Unit 4: Design and Creativity


Exploring Engineering and Design 3B (2nd 9 weeks)

  • Technology and Society (1 Unit/ 1 Optional Unit)

Unit 5: Technology and Society

Unit 6 (Optional): Creating a Space Exploration Infrastructure




7th Grade Course Description:

This Middle School course focuses on applying the design process in the invention or innovation of a new product, process, or system. Through engaging activities and hands-on projects, students focus on understanding how criteria, constraints, and processes affect designs. Emphasis is placed on brainstorming, visualizing, modeling, testing, and refining designs. Students develop skills in researching information, communicating design information, and reporting results. Activities are structured to integrate physical and social sciences, mathematics, English language arts, and art. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include mentorship, school-based enterprise, service learning, and job shadowing. Apprenticeship and cooperative education are not available for this course. Technology Student Association (TSA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences. This would include research on inventions and innovations.


Units:

Exploring Engineering and Design 2A (1st 9 weeks)

  • Invention and Innovation (2 Units)

Unit 1: Introduction to Invention and Innovation

Unit 2: The Engineering Design Process

Exploring Engineering and Design 2B- Exploring Engineering and Design (2nd 9 weeks)

  • Invention and Innovation of the Designed World (1 Unit)

Unit 3: Invention and Innovation of the Designed World



6th Grade Course Description:

This Middle School course focuses on applying the design process in the invention or innovation of a new product, process, or system. Through engaging activities and hands-on projects, students focus on understanding how criteria, constraints, and processes affect designs. Emphasis is placed on brainstorming, visualizing, modeling, testing, and refining designs. Students develop skills in researching information, communicating design information, and reporting results. Activities are structured to integrate physical and social sciences, mathematics, English language arts, and art. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include mentorship, school-based enterprise, service learning, and job shadowing. Apprenticeship and cooperative education are not available for this course. Technology Student Association (TSA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.


Units:


Project Revive (1st 9 weeks)

  • Revitalizing Communities Using Existing Models (4 Lessons)

Lesson 1: Disaster Driven Problems

Lesson 2: What is Next? Finding Alternatives/Solutions

Lesson 3: Designing Solutions

Lesson 4: Producing Engineering Design Technology Solutions

Exploring Technology (2nd 9 weeks)

  • Meet Technology (3 Lessons)

Lesson 1: Technology to the Rescue!

Lesson 2: System Design: What Every Technology Needs

Lesson 3: Transforming Resources: From Production to You

  • Practicing Design (3 Lessons)

Lesson 1: The Art of Problem Solving

Lesson 2: Design: It’s a Process

Lesson 3: Mirror, Mirror