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6th and 8th Grade Technology Education
Draper Middle School Technology
Curriculum
Technology education
emphasizes an understanding of the history of technology, the impacts
technology has had on society,
the application of math and science to solve problems, projects that
require students to build and test models, and
working in small teams
The middle school curriculum consists of four 10-week units covering the following general areas:
Design and ModelingThis unit begins with the definition and history of technology, the types of resources used in technology and the positive and negative impacts technology has on society. Students are introduced to the process of designing a product. Students will learn to make freehand sketches and engineering drawings. Computer Aided Design (CAD) software will be used to create 3 dimensional solid models. Students will learn to safely use hand tools and power tools to build a working model of their designs.
The Science of Technology
This unit looks at the scientific principles that make machines work. Students will study different types of machines and identify the function each component in the machine. The various types of energy sources and energy conversion systems will be studied. Students will work as part of a team to design and construct their own machines. Students will also be introduced to communication technology using light, lasers, and fiber optics.
The Magic of Electrons
Electricity plays a major role in our daily lives. Students will study the various types of electricity and the classification of materials based on electrical properties. Students will be introduced to the operation of DC motors, circuits, electrical schematics, electrical components and the laws behind the flow of current. Students will learn to build electric circuits using breadboards and printed circuit boards. Students will also be introduced to digital electronics, truth tables and the use of digital circuits to solve problems.
Automation and Robotics
This unit brings together many of the concepts learned in prior units to show how automated computer-controlled machines work. Students will study the components of an automated system: mechanical systems, sensors, control systems and programming methods. Students will assemble these components together to make their own computer controlled machine.
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