Mr.

COURSE OBJECTIVE

Welcome to the world of Technology. This course is a required technology course for all high school students. The course will focus on standards-based instruction that results in technological literacy for all students. Students will explore 1) the history of technology, 2) the systems used for technology, 3) the nine core technologies, 4) the design process, and 5) the utilization of technology in today’s world. Through hands-on labs and simulations students will gain the necessary skills and academics to meet the Maryland State Department of Education Technology Education requirements.

Students will be involved in real-life situations and apply technological concepts to complete tasks. They will complete assignments both individually and as teams. Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate their ability to solve problems with technology using a systems approach, higher order thinking skills, individual collaborative ingenuity, and a variety of resources including Internet, print, and films.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The students will complete the course with a focus on Design Production, Information Technology and Biotechnology. Through the Design Production phase, students will explore construction, manufacturing, energy, and power. They will use the steps of the design process and incorporate these into their projects. Students will learn proper tool safety and practice this while working with power tools. Students will design and build projects to meet specific criteria, across all disciplines. They will construct geodesic domes, Rube Goldberg Simple Machines, Tower Cranes, Soy Bean Sorters, and Partial model house construction in a shop environment. Students will explore the technologies associated with alternative energy and how this is changing our society.

Students will discover the impacts that technology has on our lives. They will explore simple low-tech inventions that change the way we live and high-tech inventions that change our world. Students will get an introduction to how these technologies were developed and the process we use to invent or discover new technologies. Through hands-on and simulated labs, students will create Mind storm space rovers, and participate in our own Geo-cache program using GPS systems. Students will learn about genetics, food science, and health care and discuss the ethical and safety issues concerning these areas.

Effective school-to-home communication is key to student success.

Please return this to your teacher with parent signature.

Parent/Guardian Name: ______Relation to Student: ______

I have read and understand the information in this course syllabus.

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MHS Mission: “A Tradition of Excellence: Knowledge, Creativity, Strength, and Leadership”

CLASSROOM/LAB RULES

Students are encouraged and required to maintain appropriate work habits on a daily basis that include:

  • Be on time to class.
  • Prepare and clean work areas
  • Maintain accurate assignment records
  • Absolutely no cell phone usage during school hours
  • Adhere to MHS Honor Policy and the FCPS Internet Usage Policy.
  • Follow specific lab and safety rules as provided by the teacher.
  • Respect each other, your teacher, and the lab equipment.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

The following items are needed for this class:

  • Pen and pencil must be brought to class each day
  • Three-Ring Binder (1 inch) or folder to keep your work and notes
  • Other Materials as requested for specific projects.

GRADING

Students’ grades will be based on the following categories

  • Warm-ups & Participation (10%)
  • Class work (30%)
  • Major Projects (50%)
  • Quizzes and Tests (10 %)

Grades will be posted online and updated weekly. Grades will be based on Frederick County Grading Scale:

A 90-100B 80-89.9C 70-79.9D 60-69.9F 0-59.9

Students and Parents are expected to check the students’ progress and grades using Pinnacle at

MAKE-UP POLICY

If you have an excused absence from school, it is your responsibility to discuss with the teacher the work that was missed, and submit on a timely basis. If necessary, you can arrange a convenient time to stay after school to make up work.

If you require additional help after school, Tutoring is available on Tuesday and Thursday from 2:15 until 3:00. Please give me one day prior notice, so that I may have the materials available for you.

HONOR CODE

The MHS community acknowledges that learning is a right and responsibility of all students. A successful school experience requires the highest standards of integrity on the part of all involved. A student’s work is a reflection of self-pride. Therefore, the honor philosophy of this community recognizes that ideas belong to those who create and articulate them; that to submit work that is not one’s own is to insult the efforts of one’s peers; that to claim the thoughts or works of another as one’s own is to steal from the originator and to deceive those to whom the material is presented; that to be dishonest is to degrade oneself.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Although homework is rarely required, you may be asked to complete assignments at home. Some of the resources that we use during class are the following:

(Mr. Shea Webpage)

(MHSMediaCenter)

(How Stuff Works)

(Inventors and Inventions)