Technology courses offered in the Curriculum Guide

FOUNDATIONS (1 Credit Required)

Electricity/Electronics (Spring Semester) (1/2 credit)

This 10-week course is designed to provide an overview of electronics and electricity. Instruction will focus on basic electricity and electronic systems. This course will emphasize audio communications, semi-conductors, digital microprocessors, computer and medical applications. Activities will include lab experiments using electrical tools and equipment, construction of an electrical product (ex: moisture/humidity detector), computer simulations dealing with voltage, current, energy and power. We will also cover several new technologies such as digital electronics, sound generator and voice synthesizers. Career exploration will be examined in the numerous opportunities in the field of electronics.

Energy (Spring Semester) (1/2 credit)

This 10-week course is designed to acquaint students with energy sources and application. Instruction will focus on information necessary to understand solar, chemical, nuclear and geothermal energy systems. Energy forms will be studied as well as the various methods of converting them. Finally, natural energy sources and the energy crisis will be studied. Activities may include construction of solar experimental devices, computer simulations, research reports, scale model construction and field trips related to energy curriculum.

Production Systems (Construction and Manufacturing) (Fall 2004) (1 credit)

This 20-week course is designed to acquaint students with construction and manufacturing. This course will be organized around the universal systems model with input, process and output being major categories. Manufacturing categories include resources of manufacturing, process of manufacturing and products/impacts of manufacturing. Construction categories include resources for construction, process of construction and projects/impacts of construction. Other topics of study may include research on the industrial revolution, design and construction of manufactured products, computer applications in manufacturing and construction, career opportunities in manufacturing and construction, model construction or other related activities.

The second half of the course (Residential Structures) will allow students to develop specific skills in the construction process. The areas of study will include: tools & equipment, safety materials & supplies, finance, site selection, foundations, framing, sheathing, roofing, exterior doors & windows, siding, electrical, plumbing, heating & cooling, insulation, flooring, trim work and other aspects of residential construction.

The World of Technology (1 credit)

This 20-week course is designed to provide students with opportunities to become engaged in critical thinking as they design and develop solutions to real world problems. Incorporating engineering design and problem solving methods, students will successfully address the commencement level key ideas and performance indicators of the MST Learning Standards.

Through the use of hands on experiences students will be provided with the opportunities to reach high levels of learning, develop their ability to innovate, and construct their own knowledge and understanding. Furthermore, students will apply concepts of mathematics and science, as well as develop linkages to other standard areas.