John Beam WebsitePLTW LMS my.pltw.org

 STEM based curriculum  Incorporates national science and technology standards as well as the state TEKS for math and science.  Project based curriculum – DO NOT EXPECT a lot of grades or homework  Classes designed to prepare the students to be able to use technology to solve everyday problems. DM/ARSTME

 Students learn how to apply the concept of “green” choices to the fields of architecture and construction by exploring dimensioning, measuring, and architectural sustainability  They will design affordable housing units using Autodesk’s® 3D architectural design software.

Applied Chemistry:  Students will have the opportunity to solve problems similar to those that a chemical engineer would experience.  Students will make and test the characteristics of ice cream or yogurt.  Then they will make and test the qualities of glue.  Finally, students will clean up an oil spill.

 Students learn how to manipulate objects at the nano scale and how material properties change at this scale.  Students will identify how nanotechnology impacts electronics, materials, manufacturing, energy, environment, health, medicine, national security, and space exploration to name a few.

 Students will identify simple machines and determine their appropriate use and mechanical advantage.  They will learn about energy, energy conservation, and potential and kinetic energy by designing, building, and testing a model roller coaster.  Students will then learn about systems and subsystems and have the opportunity to create one of the following products: Green Car, Rube Goldberg device, Dragster, or Amusement Park Ride. HS

 In this class students will learn the difference between a conductor and an insulator, how to measure current, voltage, and resistance, and how to convert energy into electricity.  Students will design and build models of an electromagnet, a DC motor, and a generator.  Students will learn how to model an electrical circuit using Snap Circuits.  They will learn how to identify electrical components by their symbols and how to create and read a schematic diagram.  Students will breadboard, test, and build a night light circuit.  Students will solve several logic problems using Snap Circuits. HS

 Students investigate the importance of energy in our lives and the impact that using energy has on the environment.  They design and model alternative energy sources and participate in energy fairs to demonstrate energy concepts and innovative ideas.  Students evaluate ways to reduce energy consumption through energy efficiency and waste management techniques.

 This unit uses 3-D CAD program as part of the design process.  Utilizing this design approach, students understand how design influences their lives.  Students also learn sketching techniques and use descriptive geometry as a component of design, measurement and computer modeling.  Students brainstorm, research, develop ideas, create models, test and evaluate design ideas, and communicate solutions.

 Students trace the history, development and influence of automation and robotics.  They learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation and computer control systems.  Students acquire knowledge and skills in problem solving, teamwork collaboration and innovation. HS

 Students study the history of aerospace through hands-on activities, research and a presentation in the form of an infomercial.  Students explore the science behind aeronautics and use their knowledge to design, build and test a model glider.  Simulation software is used to expose students to traveling and living in space.

 Design & Modeling / Automation & Robotics - year course (7 th /8 th grade)  These classes earn.5 credit  These MUST be taken to earn ANY high school credit and are the prerequisite courses for ST and ME  Medical Detectives and Green Architecture and/or  Science of Technology and Magic of Electrons (8 th Grade)  These classes together earn another.5 high school elective credit

 The students will learn the basics of media and animation using open-source software.  Vector vs. Raster graphics (Inkscape and GIMP)  Simple “flash” animations (Vectorian Giatto)  Stop Motion (Windows Movie Maker)  Public Service Announcements

 Students study the history of robotics through hands-on activities, research and a presentations.  They will receive many challenges that require imagination and teamwork to be successful. Included will be basic programming with RobotC which is used all the way through high school.