TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
9-12 Grade * 1 credit * no prerequisite
TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
9-12 Grade * 1 credit * no prerequisite
Each student will spend three weeks in the fields of study designed to introduce students to the application of technology to solve problems and meet human needs and wants. The content of the course includes the study of systems of technology, application of technology, design/problem solving, evolving technologies, safety, maintenance, entrepreneurship, leadership, careers, and marketing.
The following table shows the different fields of study in Technology Systems.
Click on each of the fields of study to learn about the lab
| Engineering Structures | ||
ROAD TRANSPORTATION
Students explore how automobile transportation has changed and shaped our society. Narrated multimedia presentations show the positive and negative impacts of transportation technology through video, animation, and photographs.
During hands-on activities, students build and test the performance of a car chassis based on total weight and "engine" size.
During the technology project, each team receives sturdy metal chassis parts, an electric motor, wheels and gears. Students design, build and test a transmission and axle system for the electric car. A fun "tractor pull" scenario allows students to test their car. Design improvements, implementation and additional testing is part of their problem solving cycle.
AEROSPACE
Students explore the history, development and technology of air and space flight and how it has changed our perception of distance and time.
Hands-on activities clarify the concepts of lift and its influence on light characteristics. Students construct and fly simple models with a variety of wing shapes and sizes. Mathematical concepts are used to calculate lift-to-drag ratios and correlate them with flight test results. Students also complete a Current Event Report and review careers associated with aerospace technology.
During the Technology Project, each team designs, builds and tests a balsa wood glider. Students determine wing shape and placement by applying mathematical and scientific concepts previously reviewed. Through experimentation, students gather data and find the angle of attack that maximizes glider performance. A supplied Plane Launcher ensures "repeatability" and meaningful comparison data.
AERODYNAMIC DESIGN
Students learn how aerodynamic design principles affect cars, planes, boats, buildings and bridges. Hands-on activities with the AeroStream21 wind tunnel spark student interest. Concepts such as lift, drag, laminar flow and turbulent flow are reinforced. Students also complete a current event report and review careers associated with aerodynamic technology.
The Technology Project places students in an exciting competition to create the best design for a human powered vehicle. Students will design, build and test a shell that is both aerodynamic and allows for maximum human power output.
ALTERNATE ENERGY
Students learn about alternate energy sources and their potential for providing electricity and heating. Multimedia overviews present the many applications of alternate energy including solar, wind, hydro and geothermal power.
Hands-on activities focus on alternate energy as a power source for both electricity and space heating. Students use multimeters to measure the voltage and current output of individual solar cells as well as series and parallel configurations. Students also complete a Current Event Report and review careers associated with alternate energy technology.
During the Technology Project, student teams test flat plate solar collectors of their own design and construction. Students select materials and determine construction techniques based on heat storage and insulation concepts. Temperature data allows students to analyze and fine tune their design. Additionally, students apply computation skills to maximize the power output of solar cell array.
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
Students will learn the science and technology associated with the design and construction of large structures. From basic truss to the application of computer design software, students gain an appreciation for the aesthetics and complexity of such structures. Hands-on activities guide students through a design and test process using computer aided software specifically for bridge design.
During the technology project, students extend their use of the computer software to design and analyze a bridge to meet specified criteria. When completed, the student-designed balsa wood bridge is stressed to determine maximum load capability.
CONSTRUCTION & CAD
Students learn about the impacts of technology on the design and construction of structures. Topics covered will range from construction techniques to new materials to aesthetics and energy efficiency.
Hands-on activities introduce the use of computer-aided-design (CAD) featuring the industry standard, AutoCAD. Students will learn the basics of AutoCAD LT operation, drawing tools, dimensioning drawings, saving and printing files, using symbol libraries and much more. During the technology project, a student team applies their creativity and CAD skills to design two different floor plans.
MANUFACTURING AND AUTOMATION
The world of manufacturing systems for inventory control to final test, both custom manurfacturing and mass production, comes alive in narrated, multimedia presentations. Hands-on activities assure student success for the Technological Project. Activities center on a computer controlled robot, or AGV. Students learn about flow charts, computer programming, sensor control, feedback and manufacturing systems.
The Technology Project allows students to creatively apply their mastery of programming in the context of a manufacturing design problem. The student team must design and lay out an inventory control system for a factory. The system will rely on the AGV to provide "just in time" delivery from the inventory area to the assembly line. A key component of the project is developing and implementing a control program for the AGV.
COMMUNICATIONS
Multimedia presentations explore the evolution of communication technology from the telegraph to the Internet. Narrated animations show how communications satellites act like giant transmitting towers. Hands-on activities ramp students onto the information superhighway with a simulated Internet.
MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION
A lively, animated overview shows how multimedia tools are changing the way we learn, work and play. Hands-on activities step students through the creation of a "planned" multimedia presentation to provide the context for learning how to use the tools of this trade. Students learn how to set up a score, import text, create narration and select music. A digital camera enables students to take photographs to personalize their presentation.
A Technology Project allows students to apply their skills to create a multimedia presentation of their own design. Students select the topic and content, create a storyboard and use skills acquired during previous activities. All of the multimedia tools are their disposal including text, narration, music, clip-art, and photographic images from CD or the digital camera.
DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Introduce students to the world of desktop publishing and its hi-tech tools with interactive, multimedia presentations.
Hands-on activities get students up and running with PageMaker software, including how to set the margins, import text, set font size and styles, import graphics, save and print. The Technology Project challenges students to apply their knowledge of previously learned skills to create a two page newsletter.
The full color scanner will enable students to capture photographs in vivid color for the next publication.LASERS AND FIBER OPTICS
Students learn about lasers and fiber optic technologies via narrated multimedia presentations. Hands-on activities begin with an exploration of light and its properties. This background forms the basis for understanding lasers, their classifications and safe use. A Technology Project presents a narrated real world context of an art collector who needs a laser security system for a collection of Faberge eggs. Other presentations step students through the problem solving process and provide narrated and animated suggestions on how to combine the supplied electronics, laser, mirrors, and beam splitter to meet the design goals.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Students learn how to create enticing graphic designs using CorelDraw, Clip-Art, and advanced drawing techniques. Hands-on activities allow students to put what they have learned to work. They will learn how to manipulate type and add finishing touches to generate dramatic graphic designs.
During the technology project, student teams design and produce a T-shirt using the design programs and advanced drawing techniques. Students select colors, fonts and art and write text, ensuring that they display balance, contrast, unity, proportion and rhythm. After preparing thumbnail sketches, an initial layout, a final layout and a prototype, students use the heat press to actually create the T-shirt.WEATHER MONITORING
Students will learn about and record local weather data, such as barometric pressure, wind speed, rainfall, and temperature. Multimedia presentations help students masterbasic concepts concerning the forces behind our weather. The students also discover how weather and climate patterns affect our lives. Hands-on activities engage the students in gathering and recording local weather information. Students analyze this data and create a simple forecast. Later, the accuracy of the forecast is assessed by comparing actual weather conditions. Other activies include career study and module review.
VIDEO PRODUCTION\
Students will gain a basic understanding of the components of video production, including such as framing a shot, and adding special effects. Multimedia presentations help them identify the different types of shots and camera angles, create a storyboard and learn about lighting.
