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Curriculum » Secondary Education » Middle School Curriculum » Technology Education »
The Technology Education teachers in the three middle schools use a variety of units and activities that accomplish the New York State Standards for Technology Education. Here is a sample of some of the units and activities.
Pneumatics & Rocketry
Students explore how industry uses air and fluid to power machines and equipment. Students build and operate pneumatic compressed air models to help them understand how they work. Problems are given to the students to be solved using pneumatic models that the students create themselves. Model rocket are created an launched using pneumatic power.
Computer Aided Drawing I
In the Computer Aided Drawing unit, students develop skills in using the computer as a design tool for illustration & drawing. The students use CAD programs to transform ideas, sketches and objects into complete and accurate drawings.
Electricity & Electronics
This unit provides an opportunity to explore different sources and production of energy. Conservation and wise use of energy is discussed. The effects of energy use and misuse are explored. Students learn to make wise choices about the use of Technology. Student activities include series and parallel circuits, schematic drawing design, generator, electromagnet, and electronic projects.
Robotics
Used in air, land, water, and space, the robotics unit creates an extensive problem-solving situation for possible future engineers. The Red Rover, Red Rover Mars project allows students to simulate a NASA mission to Mars. They control a robot via computer, and over the Internet, a rover on a simulated Mars terrain. Students write programs using Robolab software and download it to a RCX based robot, which they design and build to perform a variety of tasks.
Manufacturing
Students use a variety of tools, machines and processes to manufacture a tic tac toe project using wood, metal and plastics.
Invention Report
Students use writing skills from English class, and word processing skills to research a topic from Social Studies and present it in an organized report in Technology class. Students learn to organize facts and research topics using a variety of library media, including the Internet.
Bridges
Bridges unit gives students a hands-on opportunity to apply science and math. Students’ design, plan, and build scale model bridges. Working in groups of five, student contractors operate simulated architectural firms to create strong, economical bridges and account for construction costs.
Satellite, GPS, Lasers & Fiber Optics
Students explore the application of lasers in physical, biological, and informational technology. Students learn how lasers are used to transmit information, operate on humans, and weld and cut precision parts. Our students will use GPS to learn to navigate using latitude & longitude. Teams of two students will search for a object hidden in the snow or grass using the coordinates preprogrammed into the GPS unit. This will be great hands-on activity, applying some of today's cutting edge technology.
Alternative Energy
This unit provides an opportunity to explore alternative energy sources and production of energy. Conservation and wise use of energy is discussed. The effects of energy use and misuse are explored. Students learn to make wise choices about technological uses.
Computer Aided Drawing II
In the Computer Aided Drawing unit, students develop skills in using the computer as a design tool for architectural and mechanical drawing. The students use Sketch Up to transform ideas, sketches and objects into complete and accurate drawings. Students learn home layout, technical illustration and model building.
Multimedia Production
Students form a company and create business cards, radio, television, print, and web advertisements using the iLife software, Macintosh computers, and digital video cameras in our communications lab.
Intro/Communications
Students complete 5 drawing styles as well as Computer Aided drawing project.
History of Technology
Students learn about the history of humans and how technology has shaped that evolution. A major project involves researching a invention and building a 3-D pop-out poster to place on a 100 foot time line. This time line illustrates how the number of inventions has dramatically increased over time, and gives student a great foundation for model building.
Intro to Computers
A basic introduction to computer technology with an emphasis on music production using GarageBand software. Students also complete a unit in global positioning technology during this unit. Students use Magellan GPS units, web resources and a series of outdoor activities to become proficient with using GPS units and technology.
Materials Exploration
Students learn about materials while spending time in a lab based environment, with power and hand tools. Students will build a minimum of 2 major projects with 2 different materials.
Engineering Design
Students build water powered rockets to investigate the principals of flight, and also create structures to withstand an earthquake in our earthquake simulator.
Manufacturing
Students create a small factory environment to learn how products are manufactured today. Students take on roles of managers, team leaders and workers.
Advanced Computer Skills
Students use iPhoto, GarageBand and iMovie to edit pictures and video, for a video production project.
Electronics / Energy
Students learn about renewable and non-renewable resources, energy, and electricity. Students complete large projects including creating their own working electric motor and building circuits on electronic trainers. A strong emphasis is placed on conservation of resources.
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