CURRICULUM
Real World Approach Aligned With Core Standards
The curriculum is designed by Mr. Cooper with an advisory committee of several industry colleagues.. The curriculum is designed with a pipeline to industry in mind. If students in our middle school can be exposed to many different forms of technology, that can lead them to diverse interests in technology. It also fosters growth and development in STEM fields in the transition to high school. The program is developed with these factors in mind while also being aligned to the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association's Standards for Technological Literacy.
Advisory Board
Michael Miller, Professor of Mechatronics
Michael Miller is a distinguished Professor of Mechatronics Technology at SUNY Delhi. Michael was key in establishing the Mechatronics program at SUNY Delhi. In his career in higher education he has recieved the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, SUNY Delhi's Academic Advisor Award as well as Educator of the Year.
Clarke Greene, Professor of Technology Education
Clark Greene is the department head of Technology Education at Buffalo State College. He has completed research in the impacts of Technology Education in collaboration, comparative delineation of the Scientific Method vs. the Engineering Design Process as well as several studies in teacher preparation.
Joseph Kim, Dev Ops Engineer
Joseph Kim is a Dev Ops for a leading online learning educational company called CodeCademy. Joseph works to extend agile development practices by encouraging integration, automation and cross functioning teams in the IT and development environment. Joseph specializes in software development languages: Python, Java and Javascript.
Nick Lane, Mechatronics Engineer
Nick Lane works at Global Foundries, an American semiconductor foundry. Nick manages and helps streamline manufacturing in the semiconductor Industry. His interests include bringing a solid technical education to children, creating streamlined device manufacturing and 3-D printing.
Amanda Grutza, STEM / Robotics Teacher
Amanda Grutza is a K-12 STEM educator for both TEKintellect and STEM Kids NYC. She has experience and training from Carnegie Mellon University and is certified in 3-D printing from Makerbot. She also facilitated the design of a STEM / Technology Education program for the Boys and Girl Club of America.
Mark Bland, Mechanical Designer / Drafter
Mark Bland is an ADDA certified design drafter that has experience in Wind Turbine design during his time at GE. Mark Bland also led a design team at Phillips Medical to create an innovative new MRI machine. He has completed several freelance design projects for many different companies and clientele.
Christopher Buel, Mechanical Designer
Christopher Buel has years of experience with electromechanical design, smart home systems as well as electrical systems design. He has worked for Domo-Friesland Campina as a mechanical designer specializing in factory routing and piping design. Christopher is certified by the American Design and Drafting Industry in Mechanical Design.
5th Grade Curriculum
The 5th grade curriculum focuses heavily on Computer Science and Computer Skills. Our students will study the basics of using a computer: how to use email, G-Suite (slides, docs, sheets, drawing), basic computer troubleshooting and more.
We simultaneously dive into the basics of how computers work: the history of computing, binary language, how does a computer take my information in (ASCII).
Finally the bulk of the 5th grade curriculum focuses on functional applicable programming skills, students will learn introductory HTML / CSS (web design) and Python programming. Students will use several open source softwares such as codecombat, repl.it and code.org and much more.
6th Grade Curriculum
The 6th grade is our students introduction to the Engineering Design Process. Not only why are products and goods built, but how?
Students are introduced to the concepts of 3-D modeling utilizing industry grade and open source software. Students will learn the importance of brainstorming, sketching, prototyping and revisions as it pertains to engineering.
Students will access our makerspace tools, we have several 3-D printers, a Glowforge Lasercutter, hand tools, Arduino's, Raspberry Pi's, 3-D scanner and assorted consumable supplies. Students will have greater creativity and control over their own individual and shared projects in the 6th grade.
7th Grade Curriculum
The 7th grade curriculum centers around 2 major design projects utilizing the Engineering Design Process. Students are responsible, working in groups to complete their design projects together. The students will learn the importance of brainstorming and teamwork. The projects cannot be completed without an expert degree of compromise and acceptance of ideas.
Students focus on a transportation system design or a park design project first. Students then all complete a boat design activity. To complete this properly students will utilize the lasercutter, 3-D printers, Hot Wire Cutter and Legos to complete these projects.
8th Grade Curriculum
The 8th grade curriculum gives our students the most flexibility and creativity in their design projects. With students maturity comes greater accountability in their own design projects.
The students main project in the 8th grade will focus on utilizing a block coding game engine to create their very own video game. Students will be able to call back to their experience with programming to utilize the logic for their game design.
The other main area of study is 3-D modeling. Students will take their previous 3-D modeling experience and build upon that with various modeling projects and 3-D printing projects.
