Connecticut Safe Boating Certification

Unit 1

In this unit, students will learn about Boating Safety. Although there are inherent risks in virtually any sport, a well-educated boater who uses common sense and courtesy on the water contributes to everyone's safety and enjoyment. As a result of the content in this unit, students will be eligible to obtain a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation through the CT Sportsman Database. This is required to operate a power boat or vessels over 19 1/2 feet on all state waterways.

21st Century capacities: Presentation

Building the Boat

Unit 2

In this unit, students select a plan and construct their own boat with available plans ranging from small plywood canoes to a 14' skiff. Full scale boat construction will be the major component of this unit. During the building process students will hone their ability to properly manipulate tools and understand the importance of proper preparation.

21st Century Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Reflection, Perseverance

Career Readiness

Unit 1

In the first unit students will explore careers and simulate the job finding process. Students will conduct self-exploration to determine what careers interest them, what type of work is best suited to their personality type. Students will write a resume and cover letter, learn proper job etiquette and professional behaviors. The PBA has students creating a job prospect portfolio that includes their work-style, career interests, performing a job search, writing a cover letter and tailoring their resume towards that job. Students will go through the job interview process (prepare, communicate, reflect) by engaging in a face to face interview. After the interview students will reflect on their performances in determining next steps.

21st Century Capacities: Product creation, Presentation, Reflection

The Spending Plan and Consumerism

Unit 2

In Unit 1 students go through the process of exploring careers and finding a job of interest. Unit 2 has students moving on with the next part of living independently which is to learn about finding apartments, determining options for transportation, meal planning, and responsible use of financial products. Students also learn all the of intricacies, added costs, and maintenance that comes along with ownership. Students also learn how to calculate their monthly net pay and the fundamentals of budgeting to live on their own. The PBA has students develop a spending plan to ensure they are being financially responsible as they make choices on living arrangements, transportation, and other expenses.

21st Century Capacities: Synthesis, Decision-making

Elements and Principals of Design

Unit 1

In this first unit of study students will learn about the elements and principles of design including space, line, form, texture, color, rhythm, balance, scale, harmony, and emphasis. Students will be able to design interior spaces by choosing an interior style, and finding color schemes, and items that help to meet the elements and principles of design. The PBA has students developing a design board for a client that incorporates items based on the elements and principles for a remodel of their living room.  

21st Century Capacities: Design, Product Creation, Decision Making
 

Chief Architecture and Floor Planning

Unit 2

Unit 2 of Interior Design continues students mastering and applying the elements and principles of design as they try to create a living environment that matches the client's needs, wants, and habits.  In Unit 2 students are introduced to the Chief Architect software, where they learn how to create visualizations of the finished interior design using actual objects they find and want to use. The students will use this software and the computer renderings to evaluate their interior design, show the client what the room look like, and demonstrate their use of the principles and elements of design. The PBA has students working for a client to create an interior design of a room and/or space that utilizes the computer models from Chief Architect with the actual objects the student picked out to be incorporated into the design.  

21st Century Capacities: Innovation, Decision Making
 

Good Games

Unit 1

The Video Game Design course introduces our students the overall scope of game design.  Most jobs within this career fall into one of three pathways: Game Artist, Game Designer or Game Programmer. 

In unit 1, students will focus on the second pathway (game designer) as they acquire several skills for conceptualizing a new video game.  With the use of the design process cycle, students will learn how to create a game proposal that addresses the following important details:

• Plots and storylines
• Characters
• Maps, scenarios, and difficulties
• Methods for winning or losing the game
• User interface creation

The PBA will have students compose an original game story. Ideas as to how to solve world problems will be included in the story telling component (ex. energy conservation, recycling, rainforest depletion, hunger, educational literacy, etc). Students will learn how to develop characters as well as design characters.  

21st Century Capacities: Problem Identification, Imagining, Design
 

Programming a Game

Unit 2

In Unit 2, students will use a game software to learn how to bring elements of a game design from Unit 1 to life. In that process, students will engage in the following activities that are essential to a functional and engaging game.

• coding events and actions that include movement and collisions
• drawing images to use as sprites, objects and backgrounds
• creating sprites and objects from previously designed images and their own images
• inserting sounds 
• creating rooms and movement from room to room

The PBA will have students program a maze game with original characters, objects and background.  The game will have 3 rooms with start and end screens that will be programmed to allow the user to replay or end the game.  

21st Century Capacities: Product Creation, Design
 

Game Creation

Unit 3

In this culminating experience, students will use the engineering design process to create a unique video game from concept idea to a playable, marketable video game. This video game will act as an all encompassing PBA and final exam for the entire course, allowing students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the concepts acquired throughout all the units of the course.  

21^st Century Capacities: Imagining, Design, Perseverance

The Police

Unit 1

In this first unit of study students will be introduced to the criminal justice process of police, court and corrections.  This unit focuses on the first part of the process, the police.  The unit will revolve around being able to protect an individual's rights while protecting the community and delivering justice to those who have violated the law.  Students will learn about Packer's two models of criminal justice; crime control and due process, and apply those models throughout the unit. The learning activities center around the 4th amendment, search and seizure and the exclusionary rule. The PBA has students acting as both a prosecuting attorney and defense attorney for a case involving a search without a warrant to determine if the search was reasonable.

21st Century Capacities: Synthesizing, Alternate Perspectives
 

The Courts and Corrections

Unit 2

The criminal justice process consists of police, court, and corrections.  Unit 1 looked at the police process, and unit 2 looks at court and corrections processes in the criminal justice system.  Students will learn about the arrest process, and how a criminal progresses through the court system.  The students will continue to apply what they learned about the two models of criminal justice (crime control and due process) throughout the unit as they evaluate and identify issues and problems with our current system.  The PBA has students acting as a consultant for the United States criminal justice process, and comparing our process and individual rights against another country's criminal justice program, and highlighting strengths and weaknesses of our system as compared to another country.

21st Century Capacities: Synthesizing, Engaging in Global Issues
 

Crime Scene Investigation

Unit 3

In this unit students will focus on why do people commit crimes?  Students will look at criminal theories, along with how an investigator will use deductive reasoning to create a criminal profile based on a crime scene investigation.  Students will examine potential pieces of evidence that could be used against someone in a trial and weigh how much influence each could have over a jury.  The PBA has students analyzing crime scenes and using deductive reasoning to develop a profile of a potential suspect.    

21st Century Capacities: Analyzing, Synthesizing
 

Ecosystems

Unit 1: Science

In this unit, coastal ecology will be explored including, the rocky shore, sandy shore, estuaries, and salt marsh.  Interdisciplinary projects will also be incorporated to widen the student’s understanding of maritime-based careers and life. Students will work to identify problems, conduct scientific studies, analyze data and offer solutions to help improve our local ecology. Field studies on each marine ecosystem will be done to support student understanding of the concepts in this unit.  Units like this one, where students use their hands, help them build confidence and problem-solving skills useful for life's experiences. 

21st Century Capacities: Product Creation, Synthesizing

Protocols and Boating

Unit 1: Tech

In this unit, students will learn how to safely use a variety of hand and power tools in a shop-based environment to build a Field Trip Tool and start on their fishing rod or landing net project to get familiar with shop tools and practices for later use in their Interdisciplinary project. Students will take a short safety exam to ensure that they can work in a safe and respectful manner. The goal of each student is to learn how to reflect and persevere along each step of a procedure list when building their field trip tool.  Students will also learn Boating Safety. As a result of the content in this unit along with successful completion of the state of Connecticut (CPWO) assessment, students will be eligible to obtain a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) through the CT Sportsman Database. This is required to operate a powerboat or vessels over 19 1/2 feet on all state waterways. 

21st Century Capacities: Perseverance, Product Creation
 

Independent Project

Unit 2

The purpose of the Marine Science and Technology Independent Project is to explore marine-related issues through an approved project of their own design. This will help students become more independent, develop perseverance, and become better critical and creative thinkers to help them plan their futures. The entire course examines the chemical, biological and geological properties of the sound as well as marine-related careers from boat building to aquaculture. Boat construction, fishing rod building, maintenance of organisms, physical, chemical, and ecosystem studies related to oceanography are part of this “hands-on” course.  Select field trips support the curriculum and provide experiences that students can apply to their individual projects as well as provide practical school to career experience. 

21st Century Capacities: Engaging in Global Issues, Problem Identification
 

Water Quality and Its Effects on Living Systems

Unit 3: Science

In this unit, water chemistry will be explored through the raising of trout in the classroom and environmental testing of the Hammonasset River and local shell fishing beds. Hammonasset and shellfish bed water quality and population of soft-shelled clams will be assessed by the students through hands-on activities and partnerships with the Town of Madison town engineer and shellfish commission. Water testing results will be forwarded to the state and be used as a base data set.  Field studies on the Hammonasset River and local shellfish beds will be conducted to reinforce the unit concepts and add to the longitudinal data used to assess the health of Long Island Sound.  Units like this one, where students use their hands, help them build confidence and problem-solving skills useful for life's experiences.   

With appreciation to Robert Russo, Office of Town Engineer, for his help with the development of the water quality testing experiences.  

21st Century Capacities: Product Creation, Synthesizing
 

Product Creation

Unit 3: Tech

In this unit, students will safely use a variety of hand and power tools in a shop-based environment to complete their fishing rod, landing net project and the engineering component of their Interdisciplinary project. Students will also be responsible for maintaining the class boat used for school experiments.  The PBA will have students construct the engineered solution from the independent project proposal from trimester 1. 

21st Century Capacities: Imagining, Product Creation, Perseverance 
 

Final Presentation

Unit 4

The purpose of the Marine Science and Technology Independent Project is to explore marine-related issues through an approved project of their own design. This will help students become more independent, develop perseverance, and become better critical and creative thinkers to help them plan their futures. The entire course examines the chemical, biological and geological properties of the sound as well as marine-related careers from boat building to aquaculture. Boat construction, fishing rod building, maintenance of organisms, physical, chemical, and ecosystem studies related to oceanography are part of this “hands-on” course.  Select field trips support the curriculum and provide experiences that students can apply to their individual projects as well as provide practical school to career experience.

21st Century Capacities: Citizenship, Presentation, Synthesizing
 

Economic Resources and Systems

Unit 1

This unit focuses on the role of business in the economy, and how economic trends affect business. They will demonstrate business acumen through examination of needs and wants, development of short and long term plans, and/or conservation of limited resources. A PBA will have students synthesize information about a business from the TV show "Shark Tank" and develop solutions to potential business growth problems.

21st Century Capacities: Synthesizing, Imagining

Business Structure

Unit 2

Students will focus on the structure of business including: types of business ownership, and the roles of management. Students will study the functions of a manager, and learn how managers can motivate their employees to perform. The Shark Tank PBA Part 2 will have students act as a consultant for a business and give the business advice on their business structure, employee motivation, and ethical behaviors.

21st Century Capacities: Synthesizing

Business Activities

Unit 3

This unit will focus on several business activities such as accounting, marketing, and hiring/personnel that are essential to succeeding and managing a business. Students will use their knowledge of accounting to make financial forecasts and projections. These activities will also coincide with learning how to create a business plan which will be a major focus of the following course; Entrepreneurship. A PBA will have students develop the idea of a Food truck business, and will produce a mini business plan.

21st Century Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation

The Game

Unit 1

In the Entrepreneurship course, students will gain hands on experience of running a business as a team. In unit 1, students will work in smaller groups to develop a business idea. In the PBA, students will create a mission statement, what separates their business and makes them different, and then create a survey to research what the perceptions of their market are. Students will then take the information and their idea and give a sales pitch to the rest of the class as to why their product should go forward into being sold.

21^st Century capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence, Presentation

The Plan

Unit 2

In Unit 1, students developed a business idea and pitched it to the rest of the class. From those pitches, two ideas will be selected to go forward in unit 2. Students will be part of one of those two businesses, and will assume a role within a department where they will have specific responsibilities. The PBA, which encompasses the whole unit, asks students in their departments and within their business to develop a comprehensive business plan. As students continue to work on the business plan they should be holding regular business meetings to ensure that each department is working together and communicating.

21^st Century Capacities: Design, Collective Intelligence, Product Creation

The Sale

Unit 3

Students will carry out the operations of their business and sell their product. This includes tracking revenue, inventory control, marketing and selling of the product. The PBA has students give a report on their performance as well as discuss strategies for growth if the business were to continue.

21^st Century capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence, Perseverance

The Entrepreneur

Unit 4

The last unit of Entrepreneurship is the culminating final project (to be used as final exam). This allows students to take their own idea for a business and develop it. Students will then be asked to create a visual as part of a gallery walk display.

21^st Century capacities: Product Creation, Imagining

Branding is Everything

Unit 1

One of the challenges in Marketing is being able to strike an emotional connection with consumers. This unit looks at how a company builds a brand to connect with consumers. Students will look at how a company positions themselves in a competitive market, and how that influences the brand message that they communicate to consumers. Students will also learn how to decode messages to learn what an advertisement is really saying and how the emotional appeal by the company shapes the brand. The PBA gives students the beginning of a case study about Real Burger World (a non-fictional business) and asks them to build their brand and message.

21^st Century capacities: Imagining, Presentation, Product Creation

How to Hit the Target (Market)

Unit 2

In unit 2 students will learn that trying to meet the needs and wants of everyone is very difficult, therefore businesses must focus their marketing efforts on a specific target market. Students will learn how the market gets segmented in order to create a target market. Students will then study how the decisions and strategies made in the marketing mix (product, price, place, promotion) must directly reach the target market and satisfy their needs and wants. Students will then use Ansoff's matrix to determine how to extend the product life cycle and adapt their marketing mix to the new strategy that was made. The PBA of the unit asks students to visit the New Coke case study, and come up with an alternative strategy that would have been effective in the Cola wars by developing a comprehensive marketing mix for different target markets.

21^st Century Capacities: Innovation, Imagining

Social Responsibility

Unit 3

Corporations bring in billions of dollars a year in revenue while providing us products to satisfy our wants and needs. Because these corporations and businesses bring a lot of money we look to them to give back to our community, the marketplace, environment, and employees. We look to them to give back because as San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said "Because we're rich as hell and we don't need it all, and other people need it." This unit looks at how corporations are socially responsible and give back to society, with a focus on the impact their decisions have on the marketplace, community, employees, and environment. Students will analyze the actions the company takes to be construed as "window-dressing", and how those actions correlate into an increase of brand image, revenue and profits. The PBA asks students to act as a consultant for the Madison Beach Hotel and develop a comprehensive social responsibility plan that is feasible and can help achieve an increase of brand image, revenue and profits.

21^st Century capacities: Analyzing, Imagining

The Marketing Plan

Unit 4

In this culminating experience, students will create a Marketing plan for an existing company that is in decline. This marketing plan will act as an all encompassing PBA and final exam for the entire course, allowing students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the concepts acquired throughout all the units of the course. The PBA will ask students to perform a situation analysis, description of the target market and position, develop goals for the business, develop marketing strategies and communications, as well as a marketing budget.

21st Century capacities: Synthesizing, Imagining, Product Creation

A Paycheck and a Plan

Unit 1

In Unit 1 of Personal Finance students will get the chance to explore potential careers and the education/training needed to perform those jobs. From those career choices, students will find an entry level salary, which they will use for the activities throughout the unit and the PBA. The essence of the unit has students calculating net pay as they learn about the income tax process and deductions from a paycheck. With their net pay, students learn the importance of a financial plan and sticking to a budget. The PBA will have students act as a financial planner in creating both a financial plan for a client with a specific profile, and a spending plan (budget) that aligns to the financial goals outlined in the financial plan.

21st Century capacities: Decision Making, Production Creation

Smart Choices in Banking

Unit 2

In unit 2 of Personal Finance students will delve into the landscape of financial institutions. Students will learn how to evaluate a checking account and savings account offer from a bank so that they are an informed consumer. Students will also take the perspective of the bank to decide how they choose whom to give a loan. The PBA asks students to compare checking accounts and savings accounts from banks to determine which account best fits their needs.

21^st Century Capacities: Analyzing, Decision Making

The Costs of Using Credit

Unit 3

In unit 3 of Personal Finance, students will delve into the costs and risks associated with using credit. Students will explore how a credit score increases and decreases, and how a credit score will affect your life. Students will also be able to calculate how much interest is paid over time as the cost of using credit, as well as the dangers a credit card brings to one's finances. Students will also learn about the risks of identity theft and how to protect themselves. The PBA asks students to compare and choose a credit card that fits their needs, and then write a letter to their parents explaining why they should have a credit card, demonstrating they have the knowledge of how a credit card works and can use it responsibly.

21^st Century capacities: Presentation, Synthesizing

Stock Market Analysis

Unit 4

In Unit 4 of Personal Finance students will learn the basics of the stock market and how to analyze stocks. Students will take a look at the company as a whole, and their recent performances to determine if the company is worth investing in. Students will learn how events, news, and other factors such as psychology, and fear play a role within the stock market. Students will learn basic stock analysis of popular key indicators such as EPS, PE Ratio, and market cap. The PBA asks students to prepare a report for a client that analyzes a stock, makes an investment recommendation, as well as a prediction of where the price will be in one and five years based on their research and analysis.

21^st Century capacities: Synthesizing

ALOE

Unit 1

In this unit, students will learn, decipher, and apply the accounting equation.   This will revolve around analyzing and applying the rules of debit and credit.   Students will select a sole proprietorship and create a list of appropriate accounts based on their understanding of accounting principles, concepts, and terminology. The PBA will be the creation of a general journal based on entries related to individual transactions. Students will have three businesses to choose from and will complete the general journal for that business, and then be asked to create an action plan based on the financial performance of the business.  

21st Century Capacities: Reflection, Analyzing, Product Creation
 

Business Transactions

Unit 2

In this second unit of study, students will learn how to prepare worksheets,  end of the month financial documents, adjusting and closing entries, and a post-closing trial balance.  Accrual basis accounting recognizes and matches revenue when earned with expenses when incurred, and is crucial to the year-end closing process.  In this performance task, students will apply these skills in preparing a service business for their end of fiscal period accounting procedures.  

21st Century Capacities: Analyzing, Product creation, Reflecting
 

Accounting

Unit 3

In this third unit of study, students will learn how to record transactions and complete financial documents using an automated accounting software. Students have already acquired the skills and knowledge needed to complete the accounting cycle, now they will use software to see how the accounting process can be automated, and experience an actual software used in the workplace. The PBA will have students enter transactions for a business into an automated accounting software and into a general journal, and ledger, and complete the accounting cycle for the end of a fiscal period. Students will compare the use of the automated accounting software to the use of pencil-and-paper process and analyze it in terms of efficiency, ease of use, as well as the ability to analyze the financial statements to learn about the business operations and make recommendations.  

21st Century Capacities: Analyzing, Reflection
 

Torts

Unit 1

In this first unit of study, students will study the regulations and laws involving different types of torts.  Through the use of case law students will interpret and apply the spirit of the law to demonstrate understanding.  Students will be able to look at a case, a set of facts, the interpretation of the law and be able to construct arguments for both parties involved in order to open up different perspectives to the case. The PBA will give students a court case in which the students will write a defense for the defendant proving negligence does not exist, and will also write an opinion for the plaintiff proving negligence existed. 

21^st Century Capacities: Synthesizing, Alternate Perspectives

Contract Law

Unit 2

Students will learn about contract law and what creates a legally binding contract. Students will identify and study the six requirements to fulfill a contract and how not having a requirement satisfied could create a void, voidable, or unenforceable contract. The PBA has students entering into a contract negotiation and creating a written contract that contains evidence of the six requirements of a contract so that it would be legally binding.  

21st Century Capacities: Synthesizing, Decision Making
 

Business Startup

Unit 3

In this last unit students will learn business law topics they need to know for running and operating their own business.  The unit gives students the perspective of being a small business owner and some legal issues they would want to be knowledgeable about to ensure they are in the spirit of the law. Topics include formation of the business and types of business structures, knowing different employment laws, and intellectual property.  The PBA will have students simulate the process of starting up their business and addressing the legal issues they would face. 

21st Century Capacities: Innovation, Product Creation, Decision Making
 

Birth to Two 

Unit 1

Students will explore the interrelationships of a child from birth to age two. Students will explore the whole child and how it is connected to health and well-being through the physical, intellectual, and social-emotional development. Students will learn the interrelationships of the whole child through, hands-on lessons, observations, and a Real Care baby simulation. The PBA will have students assess a scenario that commonly occurs in a daycare setting and develop a response in how to resolve the problem/concern in a developmentally appropriate fashion.  

21st Century Capacities: Reflection, Decision Making
 

Toddler to Preschool

Unit 2

Students will explore the interrelationships of a child from toddler to preschool. Students will explore the whole child and how it is connected to health and well-being through physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Students will learn the interrelationships of the whole child through, hands-on lessons, several observations, interaction strategies, development of age appropriate activities and lesson plans in the delivery of these activities. The PBA will have students create, plan and deliver instruction for a playgroup through the community of Madison.  

21st Century Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Product Creation
 

Developing Lesson Plans

Unit 1

In Unit 1 of Little Hand, students will explore the qualities and characteristics of an effective and engaging teacher and lesson. There will be an overview of the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of children ages three and four.  Students will learn lesson planning techniques and standard organization.  Students will then use their knowledge of the developmental stages to write age appropriate lesson plans. They will engage in a feedback cycle with their peers and the teacher to revise and improve lesson designs prior to the official launch of Little Hands.  The PBA will have students prepare several lessons that align with at least one of the 8 Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards.  These lessons will go through both a peer and teacher evaluation in preparation to being taught in the second unit.  

21st Century Capacities: Imagining, Reflection
 

Teaching and Learning in Little Hand Program

Unit 2

In Unit 2, students work in the Little Hands Program to gain hands-on experience working directly with children. Students have the opportunity to work in “Little Hand” nursery three days a week. They will take on the role of a leader (teacher) or a helper and be responsible for teaching small and large groups using their lesson plans to organize learning activities such as science, language, math, games, music, and storytelling.  Students will problem solve to address various issues they encounter as they work in the nursery school. 

Students will also learn how to draft observations and narrative summaries.  They will learn and practice a variety of observation techniques and will implement these skills once Little Hand Program begins. Students will have an opportunity once per week to create mini evaluations that address observations related to physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. The focus will be on keeping observations professional and factual while avoiding inferences and assumptions. 

The PBA will have students present one of their created lessons to the students of Little Hand Nursery and be evaluated by the teacher.  The student will also be tasked with creating a narrative for the Little Hand Nursery program.  

21st Century Capacities: Perseverance, Presentation
 

Career Exploration

Unit

Students will have the opportunity to explore a range of education careers that facilitate development of whole child, including:

• Teacher (elem/sec/SPED)
• Special Services (e.g., speech pathologist, occupational therapist)
• Social Worker
• School Psychologist
• Guidance Counselor
• School Nurse

This exploration will be grounded in understanding what they do, qualifications and training necessary, school community and vision of the program, and earning income potential. Every student is expected to do a job shadowing experience ideally based on the area of interest.

21st Century Capacities: Synthesizing, Reflection
 

Career Experience

Unit

Based on their exploration and reflections around careers within the education field during the Career Exploration course, students will select a mentor within Madison Public Schools to help guide their experience. The career experience will be shaped by what is most helpful for the mentor in relation to the children they are serving (e.g., observation, lesson design, teaching). The PBA will have students maintain a reflection journal about their experiences, produce a portfolio with artifacts that are collected and/or created in showing the day to day responsibilities and work performed within that career and also present their work to the class.  

21st Century Capacities: Presentation, Reflection
 

The Proposal

Unit 1

The nature of this course will revolve around designing a house on a piece a property for a given client. This process will take place over two units in which they will focus on developing the proposal (Unit 1) and carrying out the proposal in creating the home design (Unit 2).

In Unit 1, students will get the experience of acting as an architect and dealing with a client in developing a proposal to meet their needs. This unit focuses on the conceptual design of residential buildings with emphasis on preliminary design development and model building . Emphasis will be placed on developing the student's ability to research, analyze, and evaluate information from the client as the design evolves. The PBA will have students prepare a conceptual design of a home for review by their given client.

21^st Century capacities: Synthesizing, Imagining

Final Design

Unit 2

In Unit 2, students will be carrying the conceptual design of their client to fruition. Emphasis will be on learning how architectural software can assist in the design process by modeling, visualizing and analyzing building designs. The PBA will have the students creating the artifacts (working drawings, visual tours and presentation model) for the presentation to their client for final approval.

21^st Century Capacities: Presentation, Product Creation, Synthesizing

Introduction to 3D Modeling

Unit 1

This unit introduces the student to concepts and tools for producing solid models that can be efficiently manufactured in an engineering shop. Students will learn and apply the major processes (Sketching, dimensioning, Extrude, Shell, Revolve, Sweep & Loft) within a 3D modeling software (SolidWorks) in creating solutions (models) to a variety problems. Student will learn these skills/processes in a collaborative fashion with their classmates through conceiving, designing, modeling and creating working prototypes for testing by using 3D printing technologies. The PBA will have students design and 3D print a cell phone stand/audio enhancer.

21^st Century Capacities: Imagining, Product Creation

Orthographic Projection

Unit 2

This second unit focuses on the methods needed to create a working drawing that is functional and prepares a person or computer to build/construct or machine a part. Orthographic projection is widely used in engineering practice to make working drawings. Engineers are required to design, revise, analyze, and/or construct complex parts or systems. These parts or systems, are conceived or exist due to working drawings. A working drawing, is usually the last drawing produced by a designer. It normally has three accurate views of a product, a front view, side view and plan view, dimensions (measurements) and a bill of materials. The PBA will have students go through the whole process of designing a paddle boat from creating a full set of working drawings, building a model prototype then making corrections to the working drawings.

21^st Century Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Product Creation

Engineering Design Process

Unit 1

In this unit, students will learn and apply the 8 step Engineering Design Process that is the basis of any engineering process. They will also learn basic safety protocol before they attempt to solve challenges in a shop-based environment. Students will take a short safety exam to ensure that they can work in a safe and respectful manner. The goal of each student is to learn Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to develop and then build an individual link that will become part of a class chain. The student will ensure that their design fits within the class chain which requires significant problem solving both in the initial CAD design and build as well as troubleshooting via collaboration with other students to ensure a proper fit.

21^st Century capacities: Synthesizing, Design

CO₂ Car Dragster

Unit 2

In this unit, students will apply the 8 step Engineering Design Process to design and create a solution to a complex problem. Students will go through the process in designing a CO₂ dragster that will compete in a replicated drag racing event. Students will apply safety protocol as they design, create and test their CO₂ dragster to be built for speed. Students will spend a significant amount of time assessing their dragster in a variety of tests and analyzing the data to help them predict the outcome of their design. During this whole process, students will document their work in their engineering report with the final analysis being done at the end and submitted.

21^st Century Capacities: Analyzing, Design

Career Challenge

Unit 3

In this culminating experience, students will be asked to apply the Engineering Design Process in solving a challenge. This solution will act an an all encompassing PBA and final exam for the entire course. Students will get the opportunity to research engineering careers and find out through several tests what kind of engineering they could be based on how they answered the questions within the test. The PBA will ask students to create a solution to a problem through the lens of their selected career within the field of engineering.

21^st Century Capacities: Analyzing, Imagining

Fundamentals and the Role of the Programmer

Unit 1

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of building and programming a robot to do specific tasks. Implementing the Engineering Design Process throughout the course students will work respectfully and responsibly with others in exchanging and evaluating ideas in building and programming a robots performance. Utilizing engineering notebooks as a tool, students will also be expected to document and analyze their performance throughout the process to evaluate progress in determining their next step. A PBA will have students develop an autonomous program for their robot to perform a "Programming" challenge for the current VEX EDR game.

21^st Century Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Reflection

The Game

Unit 2

In competitive robotics the robots are typically divided down into subsystems that perform different functions. Some of these systems will stretch throughout the robot while others will consist of only a single mechanism. An example list of subsystems is shown below:

• Object Manipulation
• DC Motors
• Mechanical Power Transmission
• Drivetrain
• Lifting Mechanism

In order for the overall robot to function effectively, each of these systems must work together. Students will be asked to utilize any two of these five subsystems along with accompanying Engineering Notebook entries as part of the overall design process. In order to design any one of these systems, one must have knowledge of all the others which will be briefly informally discussed throughout the unit. Any requirements on the way these subsystems interact as part of the systems integration would be treated as Specifications (design constraints) in Step 3 of the design process. The PBA will span most of the unit and have students develop a robot to compete in the "Skills Challenge" the current VEX EDR game. The Engineering Notebook will be graded after each learning activity and transfer task.

21^st Century Capacities: Design, Perseverance

3D Scanning & Rapid Prototyping

Unit 1

Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) is an introduction to the use of computer techniques to integrate manufacturing activities. These activities encompass all functions necessary to translate customer needs into a final product. CIM usually starts with the development of a product concept then product design and specification with the final step revolving around automating the manufacturing process.

The content and skills learned throughout the course will be taught in 3 separate modules (units) followed by an all encompassing PBA. For each module, students will work collaboratively, at their own pace, following a guided instructional tutorial. The first three days of the trimester will be used for review of computer aided mechanical drawing and 3D printing skills.

In this module, students will learn about the rapid prototype processes used in Manufacturing. This will revolve around the concepts of additive prototyping, 3d scanning and computer Aided Drafting.  Prototyping is part of the design process in which a functional solution is created and able to be tested.  3D scanning enhances this prototyping process by improving accuracy and complexity while reducing time. A PBA will have students conceptualize and create a theme based Chess game piece prototype.  

21st Century Capacities: Synthesizing, Imagining, Product Creation
 

CNC Mill & Rapid Prototyping

Unit 2

In this module, students will learn how to manufacture items through subtractive prototyping.  This will be done through a hands-on approach in designing a part, setup and execution of a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Mill to construct a part.  A PBA will have students conceptualize and create a wax crayon mold prototype that will be used in the final unit. 

21st Century Capacities: Design, Product Creation
 

Robotics & Automation

Unit 3

In this module, students will learn how to coding/programming is used to automate manufacturing processes.  This will be done through a series of hands-on programming challenges in which the students will learn how to program a robotic arm to perform several tasks.  A PBA will have students create and execute several autonomous programs for robots to fully automate a process in an assembly line.  

21st Century Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Product Creation, Perseverance 
 

Process Flow Chart

Unit 4

This culminating unit will serve as the final exam.  It will require students to apply what they learned in each of the three modules( rapid prototyping, CNC Mill manufacturing and automation) in creating solution to a manufacturing problem.

The PBA will have students conceptualize and collectively design an automation process of cleaning a cell phone.  

21st Century Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Product Creation, Perseverance
 

Woodworking

Unit 1

Introductory Career & Technical Education courses like this one provides experiences far more important than those typically associated with shop based courses. Courses like this one, where students use their hands, build confidence, strength of character, and problem solving capabilities useful in all careers and in every educational experiences. In this unit, students will learn how to safely use a variety of hand and power tools in a shop-based environment. Students will take a short safety exam to ensure that they can work in a safe and respectful manner. The goal of each student is to learn how to reflect and persevere along each step of a procedure list when building a practical project. A PBA will have students safely use a variety of hand and power tools in constructing a cutting board.  

21st Century Capacities: Reflection, Perseverance 
 

Metalworking

Unit 2

In this unit, students will learn how to safely use a variety of hand and power tools in a metal shop-based environment. Students will learn how to use these tools in conjunction with several sheet metal processes such as layout, cutting, filing, bending, drilling, fastening and finishing.  The goal of each student is to learn how to read and interpret working drawings when building a practical project.  A PBA will have students design and safely use a variety of hand and power tools in constructing a sheet metal tray to go along with their toolbox.  

21st Century Capacities: Synthesizing, Imagining, Product Creation
 

Automotive Technology

Unit

Students in this course will be introduced to the basics of safety, equipment identification and use, engine operation, vehicle system fundamentals, vehicle maintenance and shop operation. This course allows students to experience a variety of automotive practices through both demonstrations and instruction within engine theory, repair and maintenance. Students learn of the varied careers available within the automotive industry. Engine design and construction are discussed and studied.  Students will receive experience with automotive repairs and diagnosis. The PBA will have students perform a safety inspection on an automobile and determine what type of service/repair is needed. 

21st Century Capacities: Analyzing, Synthesizing, Perseverance 
 

Video Camera and Stabilization Basics

Unit 1

Students will be introduced to the world of moving pictures and the difference between capturing film and video. They will learn the importance of, and practice, proper camera and tripod setup, shot types and moves, white balance, exposure, and stabilization. Students will learn "how to properly capture a moment" which will act as the foundation for all future video endeavors. A PBA will have students create a reality TV Show introduction.

21^st Century capacities: Imagining, Product Creation

Video Sequencing and Editing

Unit 2

Students will learn the terms and techniques of the phases of production, video sequencing, and non-linear editing software. While going through the three production phases, students will create their first sequence to convey a complex message to the audience. New sequencing concepts such as continuity, 5 second rule, 180 degree rule, will be applied and the computer editing process will be explored. In the PBA, students will imagine a unique way to create a video product that expresses a complex idea of "wisdom".

21^st Century Capacities: Imagining, Collective Intelligence, Product Creation

Capturing Professional Audio and DSLR Video

Unit 3

Students will learn the proper techniques to capture high quality, external microphone audio during production, and the concepts required to operate a Digital Single Reflex Camera (DSLR Camera). The PBA will have students imagine and create a video that conveys a metaphorical idea.

21^st Century capacities: Imagining, Product Creation

Public Service Announcement

Unit 4

Video is an important communication tool that should be used for a reason: social awareness or change, news, entertainment, fostering community and culture. Students will use all of their production skills to create an effective civic message. In groups students will create an idea treatment, then Write, Film and Edit a Public Service Announcement for a Civic Need. In this culminating experience, students will create a video Public Service Announcement. This public service announcement will act as an all encompassing PBA and final exam for the entire course, allowing students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the concepts acquired throughout all the units of the course.

21^st Century capacities: Imagining, Product Creation, Citizenship

Professional Video and Editing Development

Unit 1

While the focus of Intro to TV Studio was to accurately capture reality,  this unit's primary objective is to “Make the video look better than reality”.  You will learn and practice a variety of skills pertaining to DSLR and mirrorless cameras, stabilization and editing. The PBA will have students apply these skills in creating a promotional video.  The purpose of this video is to highlight the positive features and/or attributes of a club, team, course, civic group, person, place or location within the school community through the manipulation of the DSLR camera.  

21^st Century Capacities: Imagining, Product Creation

Melding Video and Journalism

Unit 2

In this unit students will learn the elements of television news story production including proper interview technique and script writing. Students will also learn how to balance selecting a story with their audience in mind, meeting the technical challenges of creating the story along with doing both in a creative fashion. In the culminating PBA, students will participate in a statewide student news program in hopes of airing their news stories throughout the state and competing for awards. 

21^st Century Capacities: Imagining, Product Creation, Presentation
 

Live Studio Production

Unit 3

Students will learn and practice the equipment and roles necessary to run a digital studio and control room. Students will participate in an exploratory round robin in a studio environment to write, direct, and produce a simulated talk show.  The unit PBA will be an interview talk show featuring a person of prominence in the school community which will be shared to the public for an authentic audience. 

21^st Century Capacities: Collective Intelligence

Credentials

Unit 1

Students in the Video Journalism course will ramp up their skills to be qualified as the sole creators of the schoolwide news broadcast of Tiger Talk. Students will earn credentials by proving they have the advanced skills in the areas of camera tech, studio tech, editing, writing, reporting, interviewing, anchoring, and directing in order to create the school wide news/entertainment broadcast.

In the culminating PBA experience, students will create a pilot episode of Tiger Talk for instructor/administrative approval. This Pilot Tiger Talk Episode will act as the unit PBA and also establish the rigor for the 2nd unit, allowing students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the concepts required to hold their weight throughout a 7 week school wide production schedule.  

21^st Century Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Perseverance

Tiger Talk

Unit 2

Students in the Video Journalism course will now apply their skills as the sole creators of the schoolwide news broadcast of Tiger Talk. Students will utilize their advanced skills in the areas of camera tech, studio tech, editing, writing, reporting, interviewing, anchoring, and directing in order to create the school wide news/entertainment broadcast. 

In this culminating course PBA experience, students will specialize in each skill area during each episode of Tiger Talk for instructor/administrative approval. Each Tiger Talk episode will act as an individual opportunity to contribute their skills in a specific area while collaborating as a production team.  Each week a different PBA skill area will be evaluated, allowing students to build a comprehensive portfolio of experiences in all areas of production.  

21^st Century Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Perseverance
 

Industry Essentials

Unit 1

This introductory unit focuses on the basic, essential skills needed to operate in the culinary industry. These skills revolve around safety and sanitation, kitchen tools & equipment, measuring and conversions, reading a recipe and introductory cooking methods. Through hands-on activities this unit helps students learn a variety of different cooking techniques along with skills used in the Restaurant and Food Services career pathway. Our Restaurant and Food/Beverage Services career pathway will provide opportunities for our students to learn and perform a variety of tasks needed to maintain operations and promote guest services in eating and drinking establishments. In the PBA, students will apply their skills and knowledge within safety and sanitation, measuring, cooking techniques and reading a recipe in preparing a rice pilaf dish.

21^st Century capacities: Synthesizing, Product Creation

Food Preparation

Unit 2

In this second unit of study, students will continue to learn how to cook different foods with varied cooking methods and also learn how to identify and combine the characteristics of foods and select the best cooking methods in creating edible dishes. The PBA will have students apply these skills in creating a delicious appetizer using specific ingredients along with a mystery ingredient.

21^st Century Capacities: Imagining, Product Creation

Meal Planning (Final Exam)

Unit 3

This final unit of study will serve as the final examination. Students will learn how to plan and prepare a cohesive meal. There will be a focus on consumer skills and budgeting. The PBA is a comprehensive project where students plan and prepare a meal for guests. This includes menu planning, budgeting, shopping, food preparation, hosting, and cleaning.

21^st Century capacities: Synthesizing, Collective Intelligence, Product Creation

Food Tells Us a Story

Unit 1

How does food tell us a story?  In Unit 1 of International Foods, students will explore the stories behind the foods we eat, including the factors that influence the cuisine of different cultures. Students will explore a few target cultures and their typical dishes and ingredients, while examining their own preconceived notions about the culture and their food. Basic preparation techniques will be studied in order to prepare a variety of cultural dishes.  Students will begin an international cookbook; it will serve as an exploration to other cultures and the recipes therein. At the end of the semester, students will be able to keep the cookbook.  Students will ultimately experience several authentic, international dishes. They will explore the origin "story", or the tradition associated with a particular food.  Taking on the role of a food author (blogger, editorialist, children’s book author), students will demonstrate their knowledge of the cuisine and the flavors to the rest of the class.  Upon completion of the PBA, students will vote on which international dish to sample and learn to cook in class. 

21^st Century Capacities: Presentation, Alternate Perspectives

Kitchen Brigade System

Unit 1

This unit is focused on preparing students to work in the Tiger Cafe, a student-run restaurant open to faculty and staff.  Students will learn standard restaurant procedures, safety and sanitation protocols and the kitchen brigade system.   They will learn to work at each of the stations in the kitchen and practice preparing soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.  Students will also develop menus that appeal to a target market and comply with time and cost constraints.   They will test recipes, write menu descriptions, calculate costs, and determine prices.   In the PBA, students will prepare a sandwich for the menu.  They will research sandwiches, select a recipe, prepare the sandwich, taste test, modify the recipe, write a menu description and calculate costs and prices.  This menu item will be on a menu for the Tiger Cafe in Unit 2.  

21^st Century Capacities: Synthesizing, Product Creation

Tiger Cafe Restaurant

Unit 2

Using the menus created in Unit 1, students will run all of the components of the Tiger Cafe.  Using the skills practiced in Unit 1, students will work together to prepare takeout orders for members of the staff.  Students will work at each station in the kitchen and prepare soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Students will also be in charge of restaurant management tasks in order for the restaurant to operate efficiently and successfully. Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of all the concepts and roles within a restaurant. 

In this culminating course PBA experience, students will collectively work together in providing the faculty at Daniel Hand the opportunity to purchase "take-out" lunches through the Tiger Cafe.  Each week will provide students the opportunity to contribute their skills in a specific area while collaborating as a team through actively serving in one of the roles within a restaurant style kitchen. 

They will roughly follow the schedule below depending on available resources, number of orders, and number of students enrolled in the class.

• Monday          Food Delivery - initial storing and checklist preparation.
• Tuesday         Prep
• Wednesday    Major prep for take-out orders on Wednesday and Thursday
• Thursday       Service day
• Friday             Order collection, planning individual responsibilities and ordering for the following week. Cleaning and maintaining work space and inventory.  

21^st Century Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Perseverance

Chemistry of Baking

Unit 1

In Unit 1 of Bake Shop, students will explore how the art of baking is actually science in action. Although students may have had prior foods courses, the unit will begin with basic food sanitation and safety. Students will also learn how to read a recipe in order to come out with the best results every time.  Following this, students will explore the chemistry behind their favorite baked treats and learn about the common mishaps and pitfalls that bakers encounter.  How can students avoid these mishaps while ensuring accuracy in a recipe?  The unit will culminate in a technical challenge that will require students to recreate and prepare a recipe that is missing some elements. 

21^st Century Capacities: Analyzing, Synthesizing, Decision Making

Decoration and Presentation

Unit 2

In Unit 2 of Bake Shop, students will explore the artistic side of baking.  There will be a focus on presentation and appearance.  Student will practice cakes, cake decorating, pies, pastries as well as plating with garnishes and accents.  

21^st Century Capacities: Imagining, Presentation

Chopped Basics

Unit 1

In Unit 1 of Creative Cooking, students will examine how to make food appealing. Students will first practice basic preparation techniques in order to refresh their culinary skills and knowledge. These essentials include safety and sanitation, knife skills, sautéing and other cooking methods. Students will explore how all 5 senses contribute to the success of a dish. They will study basic flavors: bitter, sweet, sour, umami (savory), salty and learn how they can be combined.  Students will begin to experiment with combining ingredients and practice developing and enhancing flavor. Students will also practice plating, garnishing techniques, and presentation. Students will be given a trial run of a "Chopped Challenge" to practice time management and cooking techniques.

In the PBA, students will apply their skills and knowledge to complete their first “Chopped Challenge”, competing to make the best baked potato. 

21^st Century Capacities: Innovation, Imagining, Presentation
 

Chopped Challenges

Unit 2

In Unit 2 of Creative Cooking, students will create unique dishes through a series of “Chopped Challenges”. 

Chefs are each given a basket containing three mystery ingredients and are expected to use all of them in some way. Although failing to use an ingredient is not an automatic disqualification, the judges do take such omissions into account when making their decisions. The chefs are given unlimited access to a pantry and refrigerator stocked with a wide variety of other ingredients.

Each round has a time limit, typically 40 minutes. The chefs must cook their dishes and complete the plating. Once time has expired, the judges critique the dishes based on presentation, taste and creativity. The winner receives the golden spatula (or other utensil)

In the PBA, students will work as a professional test kitchen and have been hired by a publisher to develop a unique dish in three separate categories. The publisher wants to use these recipes in a variety of media ranging from cookbooks, blogs and/or websites. The publisher also wants to collect a variety of recipes for future considerations. 

21^st Century Capacities: Imagining, Reflection