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EXPLORATORY
TECHNOLOGY
This
course focuses on communications, high tech design principles,
and modular technology units. The modular units are offered
to the students at a self- paced level and are designed to
expose students to the many developing careers and technologies
which exist in our society. The units include laser technology,
fiber optics, electronics, mechanisms, solar/photo voltaic
technology, pneumatics, robotics, plastics, wind/air turbines,
aerodynamics, and transparent combustion engines. The students
will also use computers as a tool for designing and manufacturing.
Desktop publishing, computer aided design, computer aided
manufacturing, web page design, and digital photography will
be explored. Simply click on the curriculum title for
a detailed description of the TLA.
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Computer Aided Design
TLA
Students
will use computers to design magazine covers, posters, slide
shows, advertisements, mechanical drawings, house floor plans,
solid models, etc. They will understand how a computer
can be used as a design tool, replacing pencils, markers,
crayons, paint, clay, etc. The curriculum materials
are designed by using the following software, however most
any graphic arts software can be used. CorelDraw,
Autosketch,
Microsoft Power
Point, Microsoft
Publisher. (5 or 6 classes)
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Computer Aided Manufacturing
TLA
This
is an optional activity for students who complete all requirements
for the class early. Students who decide to engage in this
activity use the knowledge they obtained from the CAD assignments,
to make drawings of the project of their choice. They
start by drawing an object using Autosketch
. Next they convert the file into a language that
is readable by the CNC Machine (Computer Numeric Control).
They then insert the stock in the CNC Machine and simply
run the program. The CNC machine does all the work by
shaping, drilling, boring, engraving, or cutting the shape
that they have designed. We use a Spectra
Light Mill 1000 (by Light Machines Corp.) and a DaVinci
milling machine, but any manufacturer will accomplish
the same results. (2 or 3 classes)
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Web Page Design
For
this TLA students will use the research they gathered earlier
in the term (inventors, inventions, careers, etc.) to design
and create a web page. Instead of giving a report or
personal presentation to the class the traditional way, they
will report the research by designing and publishing a web
page. The web sites that they create will serve as a
database for lower grades to utilize. The students were
originally graded on shier research and will be graded again
for presentation when they complete the final web page design.
We use a program called Macromedia
Dreamweaver for the web page layout and Macromedia
Fireworks for any special effects or graphics.
These software titles can be downloaded for a free trial and
also can be purchased together as an educational version.
(3 classes)
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Digital Photography
As
part of the Computer Aided Design assignment, I require the
students to use a photo (picture) of some sort in their project.
I allow them to choose what project they want, but I
do limit the content to some specifics. (See the curriculum
downloads for a list) Most students choose to design
a magazine cover. This is good for some because there
is an existing design in front of them and their task is to
try and copy it as best as they can. They end up really
learning how to edit text and graphics to look similar to
the existing cover. The students must either use a digital
camera to take a picture, digitize an existing picture using
a scanner, or download a picture from the web to insert in
their project. They must then edit the photo in some
manner to enhance it for their purpose. They are graded
on how well the final picture appears and is used. I
use a Kodak DC-120 digital
camera, however this is a relatively older model and the newer
models have some better features. If your budget allows,
spend the extra money and purchase a digital video camera.
This will allow you to take still photos as well as
movies. The scanner we use is a Umax
Astra. (Great choice and fairly inexpensive) (2
classes)
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T-shirt Design and
Fabrication
This
is an optional activity for students who complete all requirements
for the class early. Students who decide to engage in this
activity use the knowledge they obtained from the CAD assignments,
to make T-shirt designs of their choice. The
curriculum materials are designed by using CorelDraw,
however most any graphic arts software package can be used.
We use a Fargo Primera
wax thermal printer to print out the T-shirt transfer pages.
There are a lot of printers on the market now that offer
the additional T-shirt transfers for their specific printer.
Be sure to check with your manufacturer because those
transfer sheets can make a huge mess. (1 or 2 classes)
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Research Project
This
TLA is the first half of a two part activity, research and
design. The students are required to research a specific
topic (inventors, inventions, careers, etc.) and then write
a 1 page report. Later they will use the information
they gather to design a web page. The students will
be graded on shier research content, spelling, punctuation,
and the completion of all required information. Students
are required to submit the research on a computer generated
paper and to also save a copy of the work to a floppy disk
to be used later in the term. The students are not restricted
to any specific word processing software. Mac or PC
based programs may be used. (Out of class assignment,
due 1 week from date assigned)
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Wind Energy
This
activity is a discovery series video on the basics of generating
electricity from wind. Wind turbines are used to generate
electricity in all parts of the world. This video illustrates
how wind turbines work, where they are most commonly located,
and the economic benefits of generating power by harnessing
the wind energy.
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Thank you for your interest
in the program.
If you have comments or suggestions, please feel free to CONTACT me.
This web
site is maintained by: Michael Whitman
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