Technology Education Courses
Formerly known as Industrial Arts, the Technology Education Department has evolved with our changing times and now offers more hands-on/minds-on design projects than the traditional woodworking and drafting classes of the past. While still primarily project-based, “Tech Ed” courses expect students to understand the interrelationships of technology and other core classes in the school to the sciences, math, English, social studies, and the fine arts. Students continue to design and build traditional Industrial Arts projects, but are also required to immerse themselves in the design and problem-solving processes used by engineers and designers. Any students, male or female, college bound or vocational, are encouraged to enroll in Technology Education courses to explore the world of technology and its materials, processes, products, history, and impact on our global future. Students interested in any career related to engineering, architecture, and any other technical field are particularly encouraged to enroll in Tech Ed classes.
Technology Education 1
Year / 1 Credit / Grades 9-12
While still doing projects based on the Woods Lab, this course affords the opportunity for students to also experiment in the fields of technical drawing and CAD (Computer-aided- Drafting), mechanisms, architecture, flight and robotics while participating in various design challenges. Students not only learn the safe and proper use of hand and stationary power tools, they also work in teams to solve problems, which may include: bridge and tower design, construction and destructive testing: the Young America’s Cup Sailing Challenge: the Washington County Robotics’ Design Engineering Challenge: magnetic levitation vehicles: airfoils in the wind tunnels; the Rube Goldberg Contraption Design Project; and community service projects. The major woodworking projects involve the student in the design and manufacture of a “Custom Box” and in a class mass-production. Students will use the Tech Lab computers to learn basic computer literacy, CAD, basic Web Page portfolio design; digital photography and to explore our numerous technological simulation programs. Emphasis is on creative thinking, safety, and teamwork in a responsible and cooperative leaning environment. All students must enroll in this first year course before taking any Independent Study Tech Eds.
Technology Education 2
Year / 1 Credit / Grades 10-12
Tech Ed2 continues the study of technology and its role in society. Problems will be solved using a “real world” approach. Students are presented with problem guidelines and are expected to use critical thinking skills and machine tool knowledge to create solutions. Project work will include cabinet making, model making and screen printing with usual emphasis on safety in a cooperative environment.
Expectations: Successful completion of Technology Education 1.
Technology Education 3
Year / 1 Credit / Grades 11-12
Tech Ed 3 is an independent course of study focusing on advanced problem-solving skills. This is a flexible course built around the interest of the student. A teacher-student contract will outline the projects in lab improvement and personal student work.
Expectations: Successful completion of Technology Education 1 and 2 and permission of the Instructor.
Technical Drawing and Design
Semester or Year /1/2 or 1 Credit / Grades 9-12
This course fulfills the school’s Computer Literacy and Fine Arts requirement. Students will be introduced to the methods used to communicate visual ideas through technical drawings. Emphasis is placed on visualizing objects in three dimensions and then representing them on paper. Topics include: basic geometry review; sketching; use of drafting tools; the elements of design; the projection of objects; T-shirt screen printing; Web page electronic portfolio design and CAD (Computer-aided Design). Students will create a portfolio of their work to include sketches, board drawing; paper developments; Web pages; and digital photographs of their scale models. Also, various design challenges will be presented for students to use the technological problem-solving model to design, build and test bridges, towers, boats, magnetically levitated vehicles, airfoils in the wind tunnel; robotics and remote control vehicles and others. Emphasis is on creativity and responsibility in a diverse atmosphere, which requires self-motivation.
Advanced Technical Drawing and Design
Semester /1/2 Credit / Grades 10-12
This course is designed to encourage interested students to pursue more challenging work in CAD; digital still and/or video photography; Web design; and engineering or architectural design. Students are required to be self-motivated and course work will be determined based on the student’s career goals and their experiences in the basic technical drawing & Design class.
Expectations: Successful completion of Technical Drawing & Design.
Technology Education Independent Study
Semester or Year /1/2 or 1 Credit / Grades 10-12
This course is designed to encourage interested students to pursue more challenging work in any area offered in the Tech Ed program. Students are required to be self-motivated and course work will be determined based on their career goals prior to acceptance into this class.
Expectations: Successful completion of basic Technology Education courses and permission of the Instructor.