Students investigate how technological systems work; identify the parts of real-world systems in a variety of technical fields; and design, build, and evaluate systems through class projects. By designing and building systems and assessing their impacts, students gain insight into how to approach the problems and opportunities of a technological world. The course includes activities where students use the engineering problem-solving process and design-software to develop solutions and apply industrial process in creating multi-part projects. An example is the C02 Drag Racer Project, where students design sketching and AutoCAD; drill, cut, sand, and finishing models in the materials processing lab; and then perform speed and wind tunnel analyses.
Students will:
- Understand what systems are and be able to identify their parts and sub-systems in various fields of technology such as construction, transportation, communication, and electronics.
- Employ the engineering problem-solving processes in finding solutions to simulated challenges.
- Define a system as a group of interrelated components that collectively achieve a desired result.
- Study and build technological systems to learn about input, process, output, and feedback.
- Develop an understanding of the roles of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problemsolving.
- Design and construct solutions to engineering challenges associated with structures, transportation vehicles, graphic design, 3D modeling, robotics, or other relevant technologies.
- Practice teamwork and collaboration in solving problems and building prototypes.
- Operate the tools, machines, and equipment of the production laboratory correctly and safely.
- Investigate, assess, and evaluate alternative solutions with the goal of selecting the best idea.
- Communicate ideas through sketches, multi- view drawings, and Computer Aided-Design.