Lessons and Activities

Below are descriptions of the lessons and activities students participate in Technology Education/Engineering. Included in the descriptions are links to the Technology Engineering Curriculum Frameworks and pictures of the work students have completed.

4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade

In all classes the first activity is an introduction to the Technology Education/Engineering Classroom. We discuss how technology impacts our life, which activities the students will be participating in, the frameworks, and the MCAS.

4th
Activity 1 Simple and Complex Machines
Students will participate in a discussion about simple and complex machines. After the discussion students will design/sketch some simple and complex machines and construct them with Lego kits. The type of simple machines identified are the Inclined Plane, Wedge, Lever, Wheel and Axle, Screw and Pulley.

Framework Relations 4th grade Activity 1
1. Materials and Tools- Broad Concept: Appropriate materials, tools, and machines extend our ability to solve
problems and invent.
1.3 Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex machines, e.g., hand can opener that includes multiple gears, wheel, wedge gear, and lever.
2. Engineering Design- Broad Concept: Engineering design requires creative thinking and strategies to solve practical problems generated by needs and wants.
2.2 Describe different ways in which a problem can be represented, e.g., sketches, diagrams, graphic organizers, and lists.

4th Grade Activity 2 coming soon.
Abstract or Non Objective Prototype Object, click here to view a picture of some of the prototype objects created.

Framework Relations 4th grade Activity 2
1. Materials and Tools
Central Concept: Appropriate materials, tools, and machines extend our ability to solve problems and invent.
Identify and explain the appropriate materials and tools (e.g., hammer, screwdriver, pliers, tape measure, screws, nails, and other mechanical fasteners) to construct a given prototype safely.
1.3 Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex machines, e.g., hand can opener that includes multiple gears, wheel, wedge, gear, and lever.
2. Engineering Design
Central Concept: Engineering design requires creative thinking and strategies to solve practical problems generated by needs and wants.
2.2 Describe different ways in which a problem can be represented, e.g., sketches, diagrams, graphic organizers, and lists.

5th Grade
Updates coming soon to Activity 1 and 2.

6th Grade
Activity 1 Drafting Tools
Students are introduced to basic drafting tools (t-square, 45 45 90 triangle, drafting board and metric scale). After the introduction students draw objects from a list utilizing the drafting tools. Students are encouraged to use there creativity in the layout of the objects. After they draw the objects student draw a common object only using the drafting tools. This object must be made primarily of horizontal, vertical and 45 degree lines. The assignment is presented utilizing the Engineering Design/ Problem Solving process.

Framework Relations
1. Materials, Tools, and Machines- Broad Concept: Appropriate materials, tools, and machines enable us to solve problems, invent, and construct.
3. Communication Technologies- Broad Concept: Ideas can be communicated though engineering drawings, written reports, and pictures.
3.2 Identify and explain the appropriate tools, machines, and electronic devices (e.g., drawing tools, computer-aided design, and cameras) used to produce and/or reproduce design solutions (e.g., engineering drawings , prototypes, and reports).

Activity 2 Students will be drawing a orthographic projection, multiview drawing. The lesson and framework relations are similar to activity 1 in 7th grade.

6th Grade Activity 2 coming soon.

7th Grade
Activity 1 School Year Orthographic Projection, Multiview Drawings
Students participate in a discussion about the importance of planning solutions through the use of drawings. After the discussion students create an orthographic projection/multiview drawings of a solid object The solid object is also represented by a pictorial drawing with dimensions on there assignment sheet. The assignment will be presented in the Engineering Design/ Problem Solving process format. Students will use drawing tools to construct there drawing.

Framework Relations
2. Engineering Design- Broad Concept: Engineering design is an iterative process involving modeling and optimizing for developing technological solutions to problems within given constraints.
2.1 Identify and explain the steps of the engineering design process, i.e., identify the need or problem, research the problem, develop possible solutions, select the best possible solution(s), construct a prototype, test and evaluate, communicate the solution(s), and redesign .
2.2 Demonstrate methods of representing solutions to a design problem , e.g., sketches, orthographic projections, multiview drawings.
2.4 Identify appropriate materials, tools, and machines needed to construct a prototype of a given engineering design.
3. Communication Technologies- Broad Concept: Ideas can be communicated though engineering drawings, written reports, and pictures.
3.2 Identify and explain the appropriate tools, machines, and electronic devices (e.g., drawing tools, computer-aided design, and cameras) used to produce and/or reproduce design solutions (e.g., engineering drawings , prototypes, and reports).

Activity 2 Transportation, The Soda Bottle Rocket
Students will design and construct a soda bottle rocket to move a good from the ground through air. The rockets are launched with a Aqua Port Launcher manufactured by Pitsco, click here to see an example of the launcher. The assignment will be presented in the Engineering Design/ Problem Solving process format.

Click here to see some pictures of some Soda Bottle Rocket's

Framework Relations
6. Transportation Technologies Broad Concept: Transportation technologies are systems and devices that move goods and people from one place to another across or through land, air, water, or space.
6.1 Identify and compare examples of transportation systems and devices that operate on each of the following: land, air, water, and space.
6.3 Identify and describe three subsystems of a transportation vehicle or device, i.e., structural, propulsion, guidance, suspension, control, and support.
6.4Identify and explain lift, drag, friction, thrust, and gravity in a vehicle or device, e.g., cars, boats, airplanes, rockets.

8th grade
Activity 1, Orthographic Projection/ Multiview Drawing
Students will be drawing a orthographic projection, multiview drawing of the Houdini Block. The lesson and framework relations are similar to activity 1 in 7th grade. They will add dimensions to there engineering drawing.

Activity 2 Manufacturing, Design and Construct in the Wood Shop
This activity is centered around Manufacturing Technologies specifically mass production. Students will be construct a prototype of an engineering design. Students will create the engineering design in the form of an orthographic projection/multiview drawing in class utilizing drafting tools. The product will be constructed utilizing mass production techniques from rough cut lumber. Students will safely use basic woodworking tools under the supervision and guidance of the classroom teacher. The assignment will be presented in the Engineering Design/ Problem Solving process format.

To see a picture of some of the items constructed click here.

Framework Relations
4. Manufacturing Technologies -Broad Concept: Manufacturing is the process of converting raw materials (primary process) into physical goods (secondary process), involving multiple industrial processes, e.g., assembly, multiple stages of production, quality control.
4.1 Describe and explain the manufacturing systems of custom and mass (continuous) production.
4.4 Explain basic processes in manufacturing systems, e.g., cutting, shaping, assembling, joining, finishing, quality control, and safety.

Updates to all of the activities and descriptions including additional frameworks and vocabulary links will be added in the future.