Scott Voorhies

Email:

505-269-2094

TMP Office: (505) 428-7320

Course Website:

Course Overview:

This is a project based course using emergent technologies to give students hands on experience exploring scientific theories and processes. Utilizing microscopy, robotics, supper computing, and 3D modeling students will create an independent research project addressing real life problems. Students will present their projects at a science fair and/or the Supper ComputingChallenge, and compete in a robotics competition.

The 1st Semester will focus on students becoming familiar with the technologies and developing project ideas. In the 2nd Semester students will develop and create their own projects, alone or in teams, to present in either a Science Fair or The Supper Computing Challenge. All students will be required to participate in the Roborave robotics competition on May 1-3 2014.

This is a year long class

TMP COURSE POLICIES

1. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a zero for that assignment. In addition, SFCC may place a student on academic probation for SFCC classes if the student violates the academic integrity policy (see SFCC Student Handbook).

2. Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Be sure to complete each assignment before the start of class and be ready to turn it in when you get to class.

3. In order to better prepare our graduates for the strict deadlines and realities of college, TMP has adopted a policy that TMP teachers will not accept any assignment after the due date for full credit. An assignment turned in within 24 hours of the class period it was due will be dropped 11 points on a 100 point scale (one letter grade). An assignment turned in within 48 hours will be dropped 21 points (2 letter grades) and after 48 hours, the assignment will receive a 0. Unless otherwise specified for a specific assignment, each weekend day will count, and the student will be expected to submit the assignment electronically.

4. If you are absent from a class, it is your responsibility to get caught up. Come meet with me so that I can help you with what was missed. You can always stay up to date with assignments and materials on my class website:

5. Excused Absences: When a student misses class because of illness or any other excused absence, assignments that were due the day the student was absent are due the day the student returns, not the next time that the class meets. Tests must be made up during free time on the day of return. If there is a protracted illness, the student or parent needs to contact each teacher to set a date for assignments to be due. If an absence is unexcused the work due the day of the absence will be counted late.

6. Revision of Work: Students who turn assignments in on time are allowed to revise them based on the teacher feedback. Students are allowed three days from the day the assignment is returned to revise an assignment and turn it in for a higher grade. We believe that there is more value in revision than in throwing away a paper that is not very good. Assignments that are turned in after the due date are not allowed to be revised.

7. Tardiness to class is disruptive to the learning process and does not reflect excellence. Any tardy to any TMP class of 10 minutes or more will be treated as an absence. Any three tardies to the same class of fewer than 10 minutes and regardless of excuse will result in a detention . Tardies will be tracked in each class.

8. Netbooks/laptops are not to be used in the classroom without instructor approval.

9. Cellphone: Cellphones need to be silenced and put away during the entire class period.

10.Food and Drink: No meals in class; certain snacks will be permitted. Sodas, energy drinks and other drinks with high sugar contents are discouraged.

11.I am always here to help. If you find yourself falling behind or are unsure about a topic, please come meet with me. We only succeed if we work together.

GRADING

Grades will be posted on Edline. Please stay up to date with your Edline account as teachers do make mistakes!

• TMP Grading Scale:

A+(97-100)=4.0; A(93-96)=4.0; A-(90-92)=3.7

B+(87-89)=3.3; B(83-86)=3.0; B-(80-82)=2.7

C+(77-79)=2.3; C(73-76)=2.0; C-(70-72)=1.7

D+(67-69)=1.3; D(65-66)=1.0; F(below 65)=0.0

•

Grades for each assignment have different weights as follows:

Class Projects - 40%Homework - 20% Friday Project – 20%

Test/Quizzes - 10% Participation - 10%

Week / Topics / Major Assessments
1 /
  • Introduction to Microscopy
/
  • Signed syllabus

2 /
  • Introduction Activities on Microscopy and Robotics
/
  • SEM checklist

3 /
  • Robotics lesson 1
/
  • Quiz 1

4 /
  • Robotics lesson 2
/
  • Quiz 2

5 /
  • Computer modeling with Starlogo
/
  • Intro models

6 /
  • Robotics lesson 3
/
  • Quiz 3

7 /
  • Design and present your own computer model in Starlogo.
  • Supercomputing challenge kickoff weekend. Oct 11th and 12th
/
  • Micrograph with write up Due Tuesday
  • Final entries for Micrograph Exhibition Due

8 /
  • Robotics lesson 4
  • Work in SCC groups to develop project ideas
/
  • Quiz 4
  • Project Brian Storm ideas

9 /
  • Introduction to 3D modeling with Solidworks and printing with the Makerbot
/
  • Solidworks tutorials

10 /
  • 3D modeling in Solidworks
  • Best Box contest
/
  • Box project

11 /
  • Work in SCC groups developing computer models and project layout
/
  • Project layout

12 /
  • Robotics lesson 5
/
  • Quiz 5

13 /
  • Design your own 3D model in Solidworks
/
  • Outline of project

14 /
  • Finish models
  • Best model contest with FREE print for winners
  • Thurs- Thanksgiving
/
  • Solidworks model Due

15 /
  • Work on SCC project
/
  • Rough draft of write up

16 /
  • Final Presentations For SCC project
/
  • Final Presentation