STEM MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM; MAKE 1000 SCHOOLS STEM PROUD!
Are we preparing our students for the future?
STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics — is taking the scientific and educational communities by storm. Suddenly, wiring a circuit or manually changing gears on a bicycle isn’t something to leave to the mechanic. It is becoming the norm for job recruiters to expect a high level of understanding with respect to information processing, technological detail, and mechanical applications. STEM is the way educators can expose students to technology and encourage innovation while making sure not to compromise on foundation scientific content.
What are the goals of this program?
The Building Blocks of Engineering Curriculum combines high-level science content with interactive real-life engineering applications. We make sure that students are engaged and furthering their interest in STEM careers and subjects, but we also provide enough solid content that students are READY to engage in higher level science, math, engineering and technology courses.
Advantages for Students:
Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking and analytical skills, and to problem solve by applying their scientific knowledge. Students will learn how to function as part of a team and advance their leadership and social skills. Students will also solidify their interest and capabilities to succeed in the future they want, and in the future that is inevitable.
Advantages for Teachers:
The Building Blocks of Engineering Curriculum also offers many advantages for teachers. High level science information is disseminated in clear understandable units which are paired with comprehensive worksheets, labs, and homework sheets. Each and every lesson is backed by a detailed guide that associates standards, concepts covered, teaching strategies and background information.
But What’s Actually Covered by this curriculum?
The Building Blocks of Engineering Curriculum Contains 6 Units:
Materials Engineering
Basic Electrical Engineering
Advanced Electrical Engineering
Computer and Systems Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (I and II).
Materials Engineering
Materials engineering is a great way to introduce students to the engineering design process while beginning to learn the foundational aspects of materials engineering. Students study the makeup of different materials and determine how that affects the material properties. Students use aluminum wire to create hair clips or electronic cord holders, learn about and build truss or kingpost bridges, scamper to recreate old ideas, and test the properties of materials to create new ones.
The Materials Engineering Unit Covers: Forces and Vectors Tension and Compression Stress vs. Strain Categories of Materials Material Property Tests Hardness, Tensile Strength, Conductivity, Density, Optical Properties Force Distribution Bridge Design
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering is so necessary to engage our students in our increasingly technological society. Students will learn about electric force and all types of energy conversions. The unit then begins with circuit basics, series and parallel, and basic components. Then students will learn Ohm’s law, calculate voltage, resistance, and current, and complete more advanced circuits. Finally, students will learn advanced electrical systems, including touch screens, sensors, and indicators.
The Electrical Engineering Unit Covers: Energy and Electric Force Energy Conversion Schematic Diagramming Circuit Basics Electrical Safety Electrical Components Ohm’s Law Voltage, Current, and Resistance Advanced Circuitry Electrical Systems
Computer and Systems Engineering
Computer Engineering is the next frontier. It is incumbent upon all 21st century educators to give their students a chance to understand and be part of our technological revolution. Computer systems are broken down and explained simply to students, who can then process how a computer is able to communicate with humans. Students learn how to create a computer program, as well as the ability to troubleshoot code. Students also learn many of the processing and iteration skills used in computer programming in a revolutionary new format called “Stix”, which requires no computer! Let’s not limit our ability to teach our precious students.
The Computer Engineering Unit Covers: Automatic and Manual Systems Computer Terminology Computer Coding Automation Iteration and Loops Conditional Programming Synchronization Parallel Execution Reverse Engineering Game Design
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is that beautiful space where math and science coexist. Founded on physics, this mechanical engineering unit gives students the ability to work out their formulas and test their calculations in real life. Banish that oft repeated question of “why do we need to learn this?”! Students will learn the six simple machines, how to calculate the mechanical advantage, and build machines based on their calculations. Students will learn about gears, pressure, pneumatics, and torque as well.
The Mechanical Engineering Unit Covers: Work Efficiency Levers Pulleys Screws Wedges Wheels and Axles Inclined Planes Gears Pressure Bernoulli’s Principle Aerodynamics Pneumatics
Design and Discovery Labs
One of the key elements of a good STEM program is its’ ability to increase a student’s critical thinking and problem solving skills. STEM Advancement Inc. seeks to do just that by providing over 60 hands-on real-life problem solving opportunities. Design and Discover labs are carefully formulated so that students can use the engineering design process to help them find a solution to a given problem. Whether they are building a bridge, creating an electrical arcade game, wiring a touch screen, or participating in a large STEM Challenge Day Activity, these labs will hone the STEM skills students need for the life ahead of them.