Course Descriptions

Computer Aided Design:

This course is a required technology course for all first year students at the Marine Academy of Science and Technology. Being technologically literate is a primary focus for career ready students. Students must develop skills while interacting with various information systems to gain an understanding of how they relate for future vocational and professional careers. The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of the features, abilities, and limitations of design and drafting software by working through design situations and communicating by means of written and visual representations. We will use CAD software as a means to create one’s designs by blending the creators thoughts with the reality of project creation. Various software programs and integrated STEM disciplines will be used as driving factors for our problem and project based learning situations including hands-on activities and projects. The integration of various disciplines allows for students to be well rounded and understand the importance of asking questions as they grow to become technologically literate. This environment encourages students to wonder and then act on how they can manipulate the tools or materials around them to better serve the lives of themselves and others. Practices include presentations, technical drafting/ drawing, research, developmental work, and computational thinking. Activities for the course are developed to carry out the concepts of design, systems, and problem solving thinking. This is a hands-on course. Most assignments are in the form of projects. Some assignments are just for practice and others are used for assessment. Some projects encompass several performance proficiencies. Proficiencies may be assessed separately and then averaged for a project grade.

Technology, Engineering and Design:

This course exposes students to technology, engineering and design practices through a problem solving and design process approach that designers and engineers use. Further exposure focuses on design principles, and a wide range of technical skills provides a deeper experience while integrating technical writing, math and science. The course engages the learner in assignments and projects using a problem solving and design process repeatedly so that the process becomes second nature. The course also provides for a variety of individual and cooperative learning opportunities to incorporate leadership opportunities and team building skills. 

Students will practice the process, principles and skills through a variety of hands-on activities and projects. Practices will include technical writing, technical drawing and illustration, material processing and use of hand and some power tools. Students will receive hands-on activities to develop and practice the basic concepts for design and problem solving, and document ideas, research, progress, developmental work and results through technical writing and illustration. 

Technology, Engineering and Design naturally integrates science, math and other subjects to create products that solve problems and satisfy our wants and needs. This course focuses on a design process to take ideas from concept to product supported by technical writing, drawing, modeling and analysis through study, experience, and practice applied with judgment to develop ways to use the materials and forces of nature for the benefits of human society. Designing requires making informed decisions based on analysis and experience. The more experiences students encounter, the better decisions they can make with current design options. This course builds on their freshman experience with computer-aided design and allows students to refine their skills on high-level tasks and design challenges than the previous year.

Systems Engineering I:

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply skills from the freshman and sophomore level coursework to solve problems in engineering design.  The students use prior knowledge of the design process and drawing techniques such as hand sketching and computer aided drafting to solve problems related to systems and subsystems.  Emphasis is placed on research, documentation and evaluation of solutions to design problems.  The organizational structure of this course is based on a “central project” philosophy to provide a realistic and meaningful experience and to allow for guidance and support through the community and industry.

The course will allow students to develop and practice the basic concepts for design and problem solving, elaborate on concepts as a preliminary design, and develop the preliminary design into a set of “contract” drawings and specifications.  Design work continues into the construction phase to process materials, assemble components, systems and subassemblies into an integrated whole.  Virtually all the related design and engineering tasks will be done using a variety of computer applications.  All solutions are tested, evaluated and redesigned as needed.

Systems Engineering II:

This course provides students with the opportunity to integrate K-12 subject matter to design and develop a solution to solve a design problem. The students use prior knowledge of a design process, hand sketching and computer aided drafting to design and solve problems to reach a solution. Emphasis is placed on research, documentation and evaluation of the solution to the design problem. The organizational structure of this course is based on a “Student Driven Project” and a “Central Project” philosophy to provide a realistic and meaningful experience and to allow for guidance and support through the community and industry. 

The course will allow students to apply the basic concepts for design, problem solving, technical writing, computer application, and material processing skills. Students will design, develop and construct an entire single solution to a problem or an integral part of a system that must be integrated with other student work to produce a solution to a larger design problem. All solutions are tested, evaluated and redesigned as needed as time permits. All work is presented at designated times along their design process to report on progress and solicit assistance when needed. Students also reflect on their presentations and presentation skills as a means of introspect and improving their presentation skills.