This class is an 8th grade exploratory class lasting a semester. The three main areas of study are
Manufacturing
Drafting
Robotics
The
manufcturing unit deals with working in a work lab designing and building
a project. Students to select from number projects, i.e., spice rack, foot
stool, CD rack etc. Emphasis is on safety and working relationships with
peers. Problem solving skills and cooperative learning is stressed.
The robotics unit involves working with mechanical and pneumatic Lego kits. The mechanical models that are built are interfaced with the computer and controlled using logo computer commands. Student learn the basic computer programming involved in robotics.
The last unit of instruction in this semester course involves drafting. Drafting (designing) is the foundation of all construction and manufacturing. Students start off using drafting boards and working with isometric and three view orthographic projection. The drawing are then transfered over to the computer using CADKEY, a CAD (computer aided drafting) engineering program.