T428 PLTW Principles of Engineering
Mr. Karasch
William Fremd High School
mkarasch@d211.org
@mrkarasch
Mr. Karasch
William Fremd High School
mkarasch@d211.org
@mrkarasch
Course Description
This survey course of engineering exposes students to some of the major concepts they’ll encounter in a postsecondary engineering course of study. Students have an opportunity to investigate engineering and high-tech careers and to develop skills and understanding of course concepts. Students employ engineering and scientific concepts in the solution of engineering design problems. They develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges. Students also learn how to document their work and communicate their solutions to peers and members of the professional community.
Course Organization
This class is presented with both lecture and lab portions. Much of the class will be devoted to hands-on lab, and engineering design based work.
Course Topics
1. Definition and Types of Engineering
2. Communication and Documentation
3. Design Process
4. Engineering Systems and Machine Control
5. Statics
6. Materials and Strength of Materials
7. Engineering for Reliability
8. Kinematics
Text and Required Supplies
1. No Textbook required for class
2. Supplies: Students will be provided an iPad.
3. Students will need to build several designs throughout the course from a "Rube Goldberg" style machine, to a device that launches golf balls. These designs can be built from refuse, and some building materials will be provided by the school. Often, the student desires to purchase additional materials for their design for ease of use.
Grading and Assessments
This course is split into areas of mastery. Each quarter will have approximately 9 areas of mastery. When a student receives 80% of the points in an area, they will be said to have achieved mastery for that area. The quarter grade will be a reflection of the number of areas that have been mastered.
0-1 Areas achieved mastery = F
2-3 Areas achieved mastery = D
4-5 Areas achieved mastery = C
6-7 Areas achieved mastery = B
8-9 Areas achieved mastery = A
Within Schoology, you will see assignment grades that will be used to determine mastery for each area. The midterm comments will be used to indicate progress students are making within the course. Please focus on the areas mastered, to determine how the student is progressing. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Points towards mastery can be achieved in several ways:
1. Engineer's Notebook (digital)
2. Lab Work
3. Quizzes
4. Design Challenges
5. Portfolio
6. Final Exam
The Applied Technology Office phone number is (847)755-2701. This is, however, a department-wide voicemail, and is inherently inefficient. A much better way to contact me is via email at mkarasch@d211.org, or as a student, you can message me through Schoology. You can also follow me on twitter! @mrkarasch
Suggestions for Success
1. Ask questions. There is no better way to tailor your learning experience to exactly what you need. I welcome almost any question, at almost any time, so please ask away!
2. Keep constant notes in your notebook, and keep your notebook in class unless you need it at home to study.
3. Website. Our LMS (Schoology) has all of the notes in PowerPoint format, so that you may go over anything that you didn't fully understand in class.
4. Honesty. Be honest at all times.
5. Be honest with yourself, and drive yourself to complete the tasks to the best of your ability. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. The pace of this class is swift, and if not careful, you may fall behind quickly.
6. Have fun! The use of technology is really fun, and delving into the lab and project work will cement your understanding in the concepts of engineering and design.
This survey course of engineering exposes students to some of the major concepts they’ll encounter in a postsecondary engineering course of study. Students have an opportunity to investigate engineering and high-tech careers and to develop skills and understanding of course concepts. Students employ engineering and scientific concepts in the solution of engineering design problems. They develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges. Students also learn how to document their work and communicate their solutions to peers and members of the professional community.
Course Organization
This class is presented with both lecture and lab portions. Much of the class will be devoted to hands-on lab, and engineering design based work.
Course Topics
1. Definition and Types of Engineering
2. Communication and Documentation
3. Design Process
4. Engineering Systems and Machine Control
5. Statics
6. Materials and Strength of Materials
7. Engineering for Reliability
8. Kinematics
Text and Required Supplies
1. No Textbook required for class
2. Supplies: Students will be provided an iPad.
3. Students will need to build several designs throughout the course from a "Rube Goldberg" style machine, to a device that launches golf balls. These designs can be built from refuse, and some building materials will be provided by the school. Often, the student desires to purchase additional materials for their design for ease of use.
Grading and Assessments
This course is split into areas of mastery. Each quarter will have approximately 9 areas of mastery. When a student receives 80% of the points in an area, they will be said to have achieved mastery for that area. The quarter grade will be a reflection of the number of areas that have been mastered.
0-1 Areas achieved mastery = F
2-3 Areas achieved mastery = D
4-5 Areas achieved mastery = C
6-7 Areas achieved mastery = B
8-9 Areas achieved mastery = A
Within Schoology, you will see assignment grades that will be used to determine mastery for each area. The midterm comments will be used to indicate progress students are making within the course. Please focus on the areas mastered, to determine how the student is progressing. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Points towards mastery can be achieved in several ways:
1. Engineer's Notebook (digital)
2. Lab Work
3. Quizzes
4. Design Challenges
5. Portfolio
6. Final Exam
- Engineer's Notebook: Students will be required to keep a Engineer's notebook in the iPad. In this format, they will document their work thoroughly, including design process and reflection, and record data from experiments.
- Lab Work: There will be several labs done in class. The students will be evaluated on their lab procedure, documentation, and reflection.
- Quizzes: Quizzes will occasionally be given in class.
- Design Challenges: At several instances throughout the year, students will be given a design challenge, complete with a specific set of constraints. Students will be evaluated on how well their design was documented, complied with constraints, and a final reflection on the design and implementation of the design.
- Portfolio: Students will create and keep updated a web-based portfolio showcasing their designs and implementations.
- Final Exam: Students will take a cumulative final exam at the end of each semester, accounting for 20% of their final semester grade.
The Applied Technology Office phone number is (847)755-2701. This is, however, a department-wide voicemail, and is inherently inefficient. A much better way to contact me is via email at mkarasch@d211.org, or as a student, you can message me through Schoology. You can also follow me on twitter! @mrkarasch
Suggestions for Success
1. Ask questions. There is no better way to tailor your learning experience to exactly what you need. I welcome almost any question, at almost any time, so please ask away!
2. Keep constant notes in your notebook, and keep your notebook in class unless you need it at home to study.
3. Website. Our LMS (Schoology) has all of the notes in PowerPoint format, so that you may go over anything that you didn't fully understand in class.
4. Honesty. Be honest at all times.
5. Be honest with yourself, and drive yourself to complete the tasks to the best of your ability. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. The pace of this class is swift, and if not careful, you may fall behind quickly.
6. Have fun! The use of technology is really fun, and delving into the lab and project work will cement your understanding in the concepts of engineering and design.