Course Selection
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
Technology Education Courses
Technology Education 7
[elective or required, every other day]
Intended Audience: Grade 7
Major Outcomes:
• Produce various items by using
computer generated graphic designs
and CAD drawings.
• Increase technological literacy and
investigate emerging technologies.
• Learn the processes to design, build,
and test products, and become a wiser
consumer of technology.
• Integrated STEM activities = Science,
Technology, Engineering, Math.
• Develop safe work habits in a
laboratory environment.
• Applied math/technical reading.
Projects/Activities: Use various tools and
machines to make wood or sheet metal
projects. Create 3-D printed designs and
dye sublimation items from computer
generated student work.
Instructional Focus: This is a hands-on
course in which students engage in tradi-
tional and computer led instruction utilizing
both individual and group activities.
PLTW Gateway [DSF]
[elective or required, every other day]
Intended Audience: Grades 7 and 8
This course may replace the Technology
Education requirement in grade 7.
Major Outcomes:
• Experience a scientific environment
involving design, creativity, and team
problem solving.
• Understand the engineering process
from concept to production.
• Explore how science has affected
technology throughout history by
looking at concepts in nanotechnology,
physics and chemistry.
• Explore the science behind aeronautics
and use software to experience space
travel.
Projects/Activities: Students will be intro-
duced to various software throughout the
16
WORLD LANGUAGES
course such as 3D-CAD, NASA flight simula-
tor, and on-line resources to provide en-
riched learning experiences. Additional
design and hands-on experiences are
integrated throughout the course.
Instructional Focus: This course emphasizes
high levels of academic rigor and computer
literacy. Homework is an integral part of this
course and students must be independently
motivated to complete it in a timely
manner. This class is a part of a nationally
recognized pre-engineering program called
Project Lead the Way Gateway. The pro-
gram, which has a goal to develop more
American engineers, includes modules in
Design and Modeling, Science of Technol-
ogy, and Flight and Space. Authentic, real-
world problem solving skills are emphasized
throughout the class. This is an academically
challenging course and is best suited to
the independent learner.
PLTW Gateway [ACG]
[elective, every other day]
Prerequisite/Selection Process: PLTW
Gateway DSF strongly encouraged
Intended Audience: Grade 8
Major Outcomes:
• Experience a scientific environment
involving design, creativity, and team
problem solving.
• Learn about mechanical systems,
energy transfer, machine automation,
and computer control systems.
• Students learn the basics of program-
ming in Intro to Computer Science 1.
• Investigate architectural plans, construc-
tion styles, alternative materials and
processes, dimensioning, measuring and
architectural sustainability.
Projects/Activities: Students are introduced
to the influence of automation and robotics
in our world and use a robust robotics plat-
form to design, build and program a solu-
tion to solve an existing problem.Additional
hands-on student experiences are inte-
grated throughout the semester including
MIT App Inventor where students create
variations of an app and use another 3D
architectural software program to create
an environmentally friendly home using
shipping containers.
Instructional Focus: This course emphasizes
high levels of academic rigor and computer
literacy. Homework is an integral part of this
course and students must be independently
motivated to complete it in a timely manner.
This class combines key pre-engineering
content areas through a nationally recog-
nized program called Project Lead the Way:
Gateway. The program, whose goal is to de-
velop more American engineers, includes
modules in Automation and Robotics, Intro-
duction to Computer Science, and Green
Architecture. Authentic, real-world problem
solving-skills are emphasized throughout
the class. This is an academically challeng-
ing pre-engineering course and is best
suited to the independent learner.
Creative Innovations
[elective, every other day]
Intended Audience: Grade 8
Major Outcomes:
• Develop skills to manipulate digital
media using computer editing software
• Build variety of power and
transportation model projects.
• Explore the use of multimedia
devices and modern electronics.
• Incorporate STEM [Science, Technology,
Engineering & Math] into all facets of
learning.
• Real world applications of math
and technical reading.
Projects/Activities: Projects may include:
taking, editing, and creating digital images
and videos; building model rockets, aircraft,
CO2 cars, shock boxes and robotics. This
class will focus on the creative design
process and will maintain hands-on
approach to learning.
Instructional Focus: This is a hands-on
course in which students engage in a
combination of both individual and group
activities using technology.
Middle School Registration Guide