Technology Department Course Descriptions

Course No. 700
Production Systems

High School Credit: 1/2
Typical Student: Any student in grades 9-12
Prerequisite: None
Students will explore production systems as they relate to woodworking. Students may visit existing production systems in our area to evaluate how these systems work and are affected by other systems. Each student will learn the techniques necessary to build their own products. They will learn how to safely use a variety of hand and power tools to create their projects.
Culminating Activity: the final project will be to develop and build a community product.

Course No. 701
Transportation Systems

High School Credit: 1/2
Typical Student: Any student in grades 9-12
Prerequisite: None
In this class students will explore all the systems that make-up and affect transportation in our area. Students will visit various transportation systems to determine their dependence on other systems. They will investigate and evaluate how transportation systems affect our society and our environment. Students will design and construct alternative energy vehicles to evaluate their effectiveness compared to current systems used.

Course No. 702
Basic Electricity and Electronics

High School Credit: 1/2
Typical Student: Someone interested in alarms, switches, VCR’s, lights, amplifiers, CD players, creating electronic alarms and detectors, etc.
Prerequisite: None
The course is an introduction to basic electronics. The fundamentals of electricity, what it is, how is it measured, and how it can be used is explored. The principles of Ohms Law, Atomic Theory and how it relates to the creation of a charge), and electromagnet induction are explained and investigated. Measurements of resistance, volts, and amps, are used to support the understanding of simple components including resistors, batteries, capacitors, potentiometers, transistors, transformers, motors, and Light Emitting Diodes. Over a dozen series, and then parallel circuits are schematically drawn, constructed, analytically measured and explained. Subsequently, working permanent circuit board (kits) are schematically diagrammed and soldered, analyzed and troubleshot. The student keeps these projects. Household wiring, circuit breakers, lights, switches and outlets are also studies. Functional lamps and extension cords are assembled, tested and kept by the student.
Culminating Activity: Portfolio and open note exam

Course No. 704
Drawing and Design for Production

High School Credit: 1 - Can replace a computer or art credit
Typical Student: Any student, grade 9-12, who enjoys using computers and likes problem solving
Prerequisite: Student should be enrolled in, or have completed Course 1 Math
College Credit: 3 credit hours (through CAP course agreement with Clinton County Community College, juniors and seniors only)
The student will learn problem-solving skills, computer analysis, and drafting techniques using a 3-D development process. Models of product solutions are created, analyzed and communicated using solid modeling computer design software. 3-D models or solid renderings of objects are created using Inventor, a powerful 3-dimensional software. This computer-based process replaces traditional board drawing methods while incorporating all the concepts and skills of that process. Students will learn the product design process and how a model of that product is created, analyzed, rendered and produced.  This course is an activity-, problem-, project-based learning experience based on the Project Lead The Way curriculum.
Culminating Activity: Final Project Portfolio

Course No. 710
Principles of Engineering

Full year
High School Credit: 1
Prerequisites: Student should be enrolled in, or have completed Drawing and Design for Production
This is an introductory engineering course that helps students understand the field of engineering/engineering technology. Students will explore various technology systems and manufacturing processes. Students will explore how engineers and technicians use math, science, and technology in an engineering problem solving process to benefit people. This course is an activity-, problem-, project-based learning experience based on the Project Lead The Way curriculum.
Culminating Activity:  Final Exam

Course No. 715
Fundamentals of Architectural Drawing

High School Credit: 1/2 - Can replace a computer or art credit
Typical Student: Any Student 9-12 who enjoys using computers and likes problem solving
Prerequisite: None
This class uses computers to design and develop construction plans for camps, homes and/or other small residential dwellings. Students will work freehand sketches to come up with complete computerized foundation plans, floor plans and elevations. They will learn the basics of building materials and how they affect designs and construction. Students will develop 3-D computer models of their designs to analyze whether their creations meet construction standards.
Culminating Activity: Final Project Portfolio

Course No. 720
Digital Electronics

Full Year
High School Credit: 1
College Credit: 3 credit hours (through CAP course agreement with Clinton County Community College, juniors and seniors only)
Typical Student: Someone interested in electronics, engineering, mathematics (Boolean logic), science, logistics, information gathering/dissemination, computer programming and/or repair (technician); integrated circuit chip design; computer (lab) technician; electrical engineering technology; microelectronics and computer engineering; telecommunications, engineering technology.
Prerequisite: Course I math (or equivalent exposure to principles of Boolean algebra)
The course is designed as a college level introduction to Electronics Engineering. The most basic concepts of electricity are introduced/explained as a foundation for the application of state of the art technological applications of electronics theory, simulation, and application in hands-on circuit construction. The practical applications of Boolean logic/algebra are reintroduced using logic gates, and then applied to actual circuit (software) simulations. Actual circuits are then constructed and tested by the student.
Course experiences include (but are not limited to) measurement tools, units of measure, and Analog vs. Digital signals. Ohms Law. Kirchoffs Law. series and parallel circuit constructions/simulations including circuit components such as resistors, capacitors, transistors, switches, diodes, logic gates, integrated circuit chips.

Soldering and Kit construction. Binary, Octal, Hexadecimal; Binary Coded Decimal number systems; additions, subtractions, and conversions of same. Boolean Logic. Logic Gates (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR). Truth tables. Boolean Algebra; postulates, properties, theorems and simplifications Combinatorial Logic, circuit design and construction; ‘Logic’ chips and more circuit construction . Traxmakery software applications, including the design, etch, solder, and working of a simple permanent circuit board. Microcontroller applications using the Basic Stamp; a programmable chip (by Parallaxy).Design and program a logic (input/output) circuit.
Culminating Activity: Final Exam

Course No. 721
Aerospace Engineering

High School Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Must have completed either Drawing and Design for Production or Principles of Engineering
Through hands-on engineering activities developed with NASA, students learn about aerodynamics, astronautics, space-life sciences, and systems engineering (which includes the study of intelligent vehicles like the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity).  This course is an activity-, problem-, project-based learning experience based on the Project Lead The Way curriculum.  Projects include airfoil design and testing, rocket design and testing, glider design and testing, geocaching, microgravity experiments, and robotics programming.
Culminating Activity: Final Exam

Course No. 129
Yearbook

Full year - 1 credit
Target Audience: Any student interested in producing a quality, professionally published book documenting the school year, and who enjoys teamwork and creativity. 
Prerequisites: None. Students can take this course for credit multiple years.
This course introduces students to the realities of publishing: creative layout design using Adobe InDesign professional publishing software, photography, writing articles and captions, meeting publication deadlines, fundraising, selling advertising space, pre-selling books, and book distribution.  Motivated members of the yearbook team can apply for editor positions within the organization, which provides additional opportunities for leadership and organizational experiences.  The Barker Yearbook is a self-sustaining business, and the activities relate directly to real-world situations.
Culminating Activity: The Barker Yearbook