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Lower Merion School District

Off-Canvas

Technology and Engineering

Foundations of Engineering & Design

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Course Number: 10010110

Foundations of Engineering & Design involves the application of knowledge, resources, materials, tools, and information in designing, producing, and using products, structures, and systems. It incorporates students' skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Students are given the opportunity to design, build, and evaluate a variety of projects such as mechanical powered vehicles    , robotic systems    , and a Rube Goldberg device. They are also given the opportunity to explore and use electronics, pneumatics, computer numeric control, computer aided drafting, and rapid prototyping. This course is highly encouraged for those students who enjoy hands-on problem solving and/or considering a degree in engineering, design, or related fields.

Foundations of Engineering & Design H

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Course Number: 10010113

Foundations of Engineering & Design involves the application of knowledge, resources, materials, tools, and information in designing, producing, and using products, structures, and systems. It incorporates students' skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Students are given the opportunity to design, build, and evaluate a variety of projects such as mechanical powered vehicles, robotic systems, computer aided drafting, and rapid prototyping. This course is highly encouraged for those students who enjoy hands-on problem solving and/or considering a degree in engineering, design, or related field. Students research, design and construct a solution to an open-ended engineering problem and prepare design challenge proposals under the consultation of the instructor. Options include but are not limited to the TSA (Technology Student Association) competitive events guide, state, national, university sponsored STEM challenges, and commercially available kits. Engineering solutions are presented in the form of a digital portfolio along with an artifact. Research, development, and STEM analysis must be evident in the digital portfolio presentation, which will take place at the end of the semester. In addition, students are given the opportunity to investigate university engineering programs as well as engineering disciplines and functions.

 Advanced Engineering & Design 1 H

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Successful completion of Foundations of Engineering & Design or Foundations of Engineering & Design H.
  • Course Number: 10020123

This course is a continuation of Foundations of Engineering & Design. In this course, students advance their understanding and application of the Technological Design and Problem-Solving Process. Students will be given the opportunity to design, build, and evaluate an independent project with a focus on research and development.

Computer Aided Drafting & Design (CADD)

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Course Number: 10040100

CADD is an introductory course in the application of technical communications, drawing, and computer aided design as part of the design and problem-solving process. Students apply Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics skills, to a variety of projects covering fields of study such as Architecture, Product Design, Computer Modeling and Prototyping. Created to give students a hands-on introductory experience in design, CADD allows students to use a variety of tools and processes to study how their products work under real-world conditions. This course is highly encouraged for those students who enjoy hands-on problem solving and/or considering a degree in engineering, design, or related fields.

Computer Aided Drafting & Design (CADD) H

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Course Number: 10040233

Students design and construct a solution to an open-ended engineering problem through the use of state- of-the-art three-dimensional drafting software and rapid prototyping technology and prepare design challenge proposals under the consultation of the instructor. Options include but are not limited to the TSA (Technology Student Association) competitive events guide, state, national, and industry sponsored design challenges. Engineering solutions are presented in the form of a digital portfolio along with a rapid prototyped artifact. Research, development, and STEM analysis must be evident in the digital portfolio presentation, which takes place at the end of the semester. In addition, students are given the opportunity to investigate university design and engineering programs as well as design and engineering disciplines and functions.

Architectural Design

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Course Number: 10040210

The Architectural Design class is an introductory study of the theory, history, principles, and practice of architecture. It includes the roles and responsibilities of design professions, architects, and engineers. Major topics include interior design, frame construction, vocabulary, landscape architecture, green construction and how they relate to each other. This course also introduces students to 2-D and 3-D communication and presentation techniques as used in architecture and covers basic model building and the use of drawing as a problem abstraction and diagramming technique. Students learn to interpret construction drawings for residential, commercial, and industrial structures. Major projects include 3-D drawings and scale models of a residential structure.

Architectural Design H

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Course Number: 10040223

Architectural Design is an introductory study of the theory, history, principles, and practice of architecture. It includes exploration of the roles and responsibilities of design professions, architects, and engineers. Major topics are interior design, frame construction, landscape architecture, green construction and how they relate to each other. Students are introduced to 2-D and 3-D communication and presentation techniques that are widely used in architecture. Application of basic model building and the use of drawing as a problem abstraction and diagramming technique are also included in instruction. Additionally, students learn to interpret construction drawings for residential, commercial, and industrial structures. Major hands-on projects include the rendering of 3-D drawings and the construction of a scale-model residential structure. In addition to the standard instruction and assignments, students electing the Honors level option of Architectural Design are also expected to learn and apply the use of advanced software techniques and model creation; as well as complete an architecture research project or job-shadowing experience. 

Innovation & Invention - Robotics

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Completed Technology Engineering Course or Instructor approval.
  • Course Number: 10030110

Innovation & Invention is a capstone course that utilizes the VEX Robotics Design System at its core. Students build, design, compete, and cooperate with robots to solve societal problems while learning and applying engineering and physics concepts, formulas, and practices. The course offers many of the exact same kinds of experiences to students that are offered in the highly publicized 2.007 Engineering course at MIT. Two major design challenges invite students to apply knowledge of speed, power, torque, DC motors, gear ratio and reduction, friction, traction, and drive train/manipulator design. This course is highly encouraged for those students who enjoy hands-on design challenges and problem solving and/or considering a degree in engineering, design, robotics, or a related dynamic field of study.

Innovation & Invention – Robotics H

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Completed Technology Engineering Course or Instructor approval.
  • Course Number: 10030123

Invention & Innovation – Robotics is a capstone course that utilizes the VEX Robotics Design System at its primary instructional resource. Students design, build, compete, and cooperate with robots to solve societal problems while learning and applying engineering and physics concepts, formulas, and practices. Two major design challenges invite students to apply knowledge of speed, power, torque, DC motors, gear ratio and reduction, friction, traction, and drive train/manipulator design. This course is highly encouraged for those students who enjoy hands-on design challenges and problem solving and/or considering a degree in engineering, design, robotics, or a related STEM field of study. In addition to the standard instruction and assignments, students electing the Honors level option of Innovation & Invention-Robotics learn and apply the use of sensor technology in design challenges and complete a robotics research project or advanced robotics applications challenge.