STEM Coursework
INTRODUCTION TO STEM TOPICS
This one-semester course is designed to provide a practical, hands-on, project-based introduction to STEM related topics. This course is a prerequisite for any of the other STEM-designated courses. STEM topics included will be coding languages (Python, Java), robotics, 3D design and printing, and project building using the Raspberry Pi. This course is designed to be a general introduction to STEM related topics, helping students determine their level of interest in pursuing the PLTW course electives listed below.
STEM ELECTIVES
HCA is partnering with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to offering STEM electives. PLTW courses currently offered include:
Additional STEM course that may be added in the future include:
This one-semester course is designed to provide a practical, hands-on, project-based introduction to STEM related topics. This course is a prerequisite for any of the other STEM-designated courses. STEM topics included will be coding languages (Python, Java), robotics, 3D design and printing, and project building using the Raspberry Pi. This course is designed to be a general introduction to STEM related topics, helping students determine their level of interest in pursuing the PLTW course electives listed below.
STEM ELECTIVES
HCA is partnering with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to offering STEM electives. PLTW courses currently offered include:
- Introduction to Engineering Design - Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) is a high school level foundation course in the PLTW Engineering Program. In IED students are introduced to the engineering profession and a common approach to the solution of engineering problems, an engineering design process. Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based (APB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students will progress from completing structured activities to solving open- ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills.
Through both individual and collaborative team activities, projects, and problems, students will solve problems as they practice common engineering design and development protocols such as project management and peer review. Students will develop skill in technical representation and documentation of design solutions according to accepted technical standards, and they will use current 3D design and modeling software to represent and communicate solutions. In addition the development of computational methods that are commonly used in engineering problem solving, including statistical analysis and mathematical modeling, are emphasized. Ethical issues related to professional practice and product development are also presented.
- Principles of Engineering - Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation. Students develop skills in problem solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation.
- Computer Science Principles - Computer Science Principles (CSP) is a PLTW course to implement the College Board’s new AP CS Principles framework. Students work in teams to develop computational thinking and solve problems. The course does not aim to teach mastery of a single programming language but aims instead to develop computational thinking, to generate excitement about the field of computing, and to introduce computational tools that foster creativity. The course also aims to build students’ awareness of the tremendous demand for computer specialists and for professionals in all fields who have computational skills. Each unit focuses on one or more computationally intensive career paths. The course also aims to engage students to consider issues raised by the present and future societal impact of computing. Students practice problem solving with structured activities and progress to open-ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills. Problems aim for ground-level entry with no ceiling so that all students can successfully engage the problems. Students with greater motivation, ability, or background knowledge will be challenged to work further.
Additional STEM course that may be added in the future include:
- Biological Engineering - The growing market for jobs in biological engineering is playing a central role in energy and agricultural sustainability solutions. The BioE course develops students’ thinking skills and prepares them for emerging careers through topics such as genetic engineering, biofuels, and biomanufacturing.
- Electronics - From smart phones to appliances, digital circuits are all around us. This course provides a foundation for students who are interested in electrical engineering, electronics, or circuit design. Students study topics such as combinational and sequential logic and are exposed to circuit design tools used in industry, including logic gates, integrated circuits, and programmable logic devices.
- Computer Science and Software Engineering - CSE implements the College Board’s 2013 CS Principles framework. Using Python® as a primary tool and incorporating multiple platforms and languages for computation, this course aims to develop computational thinking, generate excitement about career paths that utilize computing, and introduce professional tools that foster creativity and collaboration. CSE helps students develop programming expertise and explore the workings of the Internet. Projects and problems include app development, visualization of data, cybersecurity, robotics, and simulation.
- And more ...
| introduction_to_engineering_design_course_outline.pdf |
| principles_of_engineering_course_outline.pdf |
| pltw_computer_science_principles_course_outline.pdf |