Mr. Lein's Website

7th Grade Technology Foundations:

Students will first learn the foundational skills necessary to working in a technology lab. Then they will learn how to read a set of plans and build according to those plans, understanding order of operations and developing problem solving skills as they as they complete their projects. As the course progresses, students will experience a broader scope of the full process of designing and engineering, including a background of why they are building what they are building, mathematical and scientific factors involved, an understanding of constraints and other limiting factors, as well as real life applications of what they are doing. They will come to appreciate the value of careful planning and forethought has in the desired quality of the final product. Most of all, students will learn to think critically, problem solve independently, and work and communicate cooperatively.

Possible Projects:

• Catapult

• Climbing Critter

• Wind Turbine

• Coin hole

• Balsa Glider

• Boomerang

• Pull tops

• Egg Crash Vehicles

8th Grade Engineering & Design:

In this class, students will experience the fundamentals of engineering and design while making real-world connections with hands-on STEM-based projects that revolve around problem solving.

For each STEM-based project, students will apply the design process to develop their own unique solutions that incorporate math and science principles discussed in class and from student led research. They will demonstrate the ability to problem solve by developing a set of plans for their project, to address challenges encountered during project construction, and by selecting appropriate tools and building materials based on function, cost, safety, and availability. Students will improve their fine motor skills by using various tools and machines to produce their projects. Furthermore, students will use critical thinking as they test, evaluate, and optimize their projects. Throughout the course, students will develop cooperative communication skills as they work with peers in the technology lab, skills that are vital for college and career readiness.

Current Projects:

• Pneumatic Dragsters

• Electronics Games

• Boats

• Balsa Bridges

• Water Bottle Rocket