6/6/2009 Vernon Middle School Exploring Careers - Technology 01 Introduction to Technology 02 Electronics 04 Desktop Publishing 05 Robotics 06 Audio/Video 07 Engineering 08 Space Exploration 09 Computer Fundamentals 10 Problem Solving 11 Weather Tracking Technology 12 3-D Computer Animation 13 Communication Technology 14 Materials & Processes 15 Research and development (R&D) 16 Aerospace 17 Biotechnology 18 Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) 19 Drafting 20 Digital Photography Technology is the means of meeting human needs through the creative process of design and construction. It has changed our lives dramatically and will continue to do so. The links below describe the modules in Exploring Careers – Technology at Vernon MS.

Photo courtesy of Hearlihy 6/6/ Introduction to Technology Includes the architecture (house design), the internet, electronics, renewable energy, transportation systems, biotechnology, telecommunication, and more. Study the effects and consequences of technology – both good and bad – and examine trends to visualize what might lie ahead. Return to MTE home

Photo courtesy of Hearlihy 6/6/ Electronics Involves the control small electric currents. Learn the theory, principles, and uses of electricity and electronics. Experiment with electronic components while constructing electronic circuits and projects. Work with an analog multi-meter to develop basic meter reading skills and use problem-solving techniques while interacting with an electronics kit to build advanced circuits. Return to MTE home

Photo courtesy of Hearlihy 6/6/ Desktop Publishing Use layout software, develop and print electronically published documents such as a newsletter, brochure, flyer, and more. Create the layout of each page, import text and graphics, and select and adjust color to produce high-quality, print-ready documents. Return to MTE home

Photo courtesy of Hearlihy 6/6/ Robotics Learn the history, fundamentals, and uses of different types of robots, how they are programmed, and their contributions to industry. Interact with different types of robots and actually program a computer-controlled robotic arm trainer to pick up, place, and stack objects. Return to MTE home

Photo courtesy of Hearlihy 6/6/ Audio/Video Write, produce, and present radio and television broadcasts. Work as a disc jockey, narrator, and technician to record a simulated radio program consisting of music, news, weather, sports, and commercials. Perform the tasks of a news anchor, videographer, and talk-show host by producing and videotaping a simulated television newscast and talk show. Return to MTE home

6/6/ Engineering Learn about fundamental engineering principles, the different types of bridges, and the forces that act upon them. Working from a design brief, become an engineer, design and build a balsa wood, or paper, model truss bridge (optional: $3 project fee based on availability). Return to MTE home Photo courtesy of Hearlihy

6/6/ Space Exploration Learn what it's like to live and work in space. Explore the history and imagine the future of space exploration. See how products developed to make space travel possible have resulted in technological advances that have changed the way we live. Design and construct a scale model of a space station based on the information you obtain. Return to MTE home

6/6/ Computer Fundamentals Involves basic computer hardware and computer software. Learn the basic components of a home computer system and how it can help you with various subjects, such as keyboarding, math, language arts, social studies, and science. Also do additional in depth computer study. Return to MTE home

6/6/ Problem Solving Solve problems using simple machines. Learn the steps of the problem solving process and the six simple machines, while using LEGO kits to build machines and solve real- world problems. Return to MTE home

6/6/ Weather Tracking Technology Learn how the factors of temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity interact to create weather. Topics related to these meteorological elements such as heat transfer, winds, air masses, the hydrologic cycle, and the Earth itself – its shape, tilt, gravity, rotation, and surface texture – are covered. Learn how to forecast the weather. Return to MTE home Photo courtesy of Hearlihy

6/6/ D Computer Animation Learn the basic techniques used to create animated actors and a short animation sequence based on detailed instructions and a design brief. Learn to create and edit actors’ paths and work with time measurements to choreograph multiple characters. Learn about the secrets animators use to produce natural, fluid-moving characters, scenery, and props. Return to MTE home Photo courtesy of Hearlihy

6/6/ Communication Technology Learn about multimedia, visual, and audio forms of digital communication and apply them in everyday, real-life situations as you design and deliver messages. Use multimedia-authoring software to add pictures, voices, music, video, and interactivity to a computer presentation. Return to MTE home

Photo courtesy of Hearlihy 6/6/ Materials & Processes Learn how technology and industrial processes convert basic raw materials such as woods, plastics, metals, and ceramics into usable consumer products. Use tools, equipment, finishing materials, and manufacturing to construct a desk organizer called a DeskJockey (optional: $7 project fee based on availability). Return to MTE home

Photo courtesy of Hearlihy 6/6/ Research and development (R&D) Learn the fundamentals of the R&D process used by industry to design and manufacture automobiles. Apply the process to design and construct a model race car patterned after the “top-fuel dragster” used in professional drag racing. Test your dragsters in a series of races against other students’ models (optional: $5 project fee based on availability). Return to MTE home

Photo courtesy of Hearlihy 6/6/ Aerospace Learn about the history of aviation, the development of rocketry, and how the NASA space program began. Construct and test-fly an airplane to demonstrate the four forces acting on a plane in flight and test the distribution of aerodynamic forces by constructing and launching a model rocket (optional: $9 project fee based on availability). Return to MTE home

6/6/ Biotechnology Involves technology and the human body. Use a computer and software to help you learn about human anatomy and physiology. Also use computer software to measure blood pressure, heart rates, and study the affect of exercise on the human body. Exercise to raise your heart and respiration rates at least 50%. Return to MTE home

Photo courtesy of Hearlihy 6/6/ Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) involves the history, benefits, operation, and use of computer aided drafting. Use a CAD system to complete practice drills, drawing exercises, and produce hard copies of your drawings. Return to MTE home

Photo courtesy of Hearlihy 6/6/ Drafting Learn basic drafting techniques such as measuring, sketching, orthographic projection, and isometric pictorials. Acquire skills through a series of drawing exercises that are structured to teach and reinforce a different drafting technique each day, and build 3-dimensional models. Return to MTE home

Photo courtesy of Hearlihy 6/6/ Digital Photography Learn the basic principles of photographic composition, technique, and design through the use of a color digital camera and computer software. Capture and download images using a digital camera and then use the computer to edit, manipulate, enhance, and print your own original photographs. Return to MTE home