Curriculum & Instruction
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Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
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Mrs. Farrar
The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Gateway To Technology (GTT) program features a project-based curriculum designed to challenge and engage the natural curiosity and imagination of middle school students. They envision, design and test their ideas with the same advanced modeling software used by companies like Lockheed Martin, Intel, and Sprint. They study mechanical and computer control systems; think robotics and animation. Students also explore the importance of energy, including innovative ways to reduce, conserve and produce it using solar, thermal and wind power. The knowledge that students gain and the skills they build from GTT create a strong foundation for further STEM learning in high school and beyond.
Throughout GTT, students acquire knowledge and skills in problem solving, teamwork and innovation as well as explore STEM careers. GTT, intended for grades six through eight, is designed to spark an interest in STEM subjects and prepare students for further study in high school.
Curriculum
Computer Science for Innovators and Makers: In 6th and 7th grade, students will learn that programming will go beyond the virtual world into the physical world. Students will be challenged to creatively use sensors and actuators to develop systems that will interact with their environment. By designing algorithms and using computational thinking practices, they will code and upload programs to microcontrollers that will perform a variety of authentic tasks. The unit will broaden students' understanding of computer science concepts through meaningful applications. Teams will select and solve a personally relevant problem related to wearable technology, interactive art, or mechanical devices. Throughout the unit, students will learn about programming for the physical world by blending hardware design and software development, allowing them to discover computer science concepts and skills by creating personally relevant, tangible, and shareable projects.
Automation and Robotics: In 8th grade, students will learn about the history of automation and robotics as well as some of the different uses for robots today. They will work to build different gear mechanisms, and they will explore those mechanisms’ features and applications. Students will be challenged to design and build gear mechanisms to meet certain criteria. Students will then begin learning code. We will work our way up to building and coding different robots such as cars, robotic claws, toll booth arms, LEDs, and more!