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Academy of Engineering Curriculum Samples!
Each book from the Academy of Engineering curriculum is organized into eight fundamental units of study. For example, the Simple Machines book is comprised of eight units that introduce Levers, Inclined Planes, Pulleys, and other simple machine basics. Engaging, hands-on lessons are presented within each unit in order to convey engineering, math, and physics concepts to students of all ages. Each unit provides background and preparation information for teachers, and a series of five hands-on projects take students from the basic fundamentals of a concept to a complete hands-on demonstration of mastery. The following links are samples from the Pulleys unit in the Simple Machines book.
- Preparation
Page
This
page gives you a two-sentence overview of the unit, itemizes
the materials needed for Project One and Project Two, and includes
the answer key for the assessment portion of each project and
challenge.
- Background
Page
This
section provides vocabulary terms and concepts covered in the
unit. We recommend you read it briefly before teaching. Terms
can be looked up using the Term Browser at the PCS Edventures!
website. "WOW" is an introductory activity provided for you to
capture student interest in the topic, and to demonstrate the
basic principles covered in the unit.
- Project
#1 "Single Pulley"
This
project either introduces the principles and skills needed to
master the topic, or it gives instructions for building a device
which will be used in an experiment presented in Project Two.
- Project
#2 "Block & Tackle"
This
project functions just like Project One except that on occasion
it will focus mostly on experimentation and assessment rather
than building.
- Challenges
(Extensions)
Each
unit includes two challenges. These are more open-ended activities
designed to assess the student's ability to apply the principles
learned in Projects One and Two. Few instructions are given and
the student is allowed great latitude in meeting the requirements
of the challenge.
- Personal
Project
This
is a synthesis activity. Students should be encouraged to reflect
on the content and processes they've learned by doing the projects
and challenges, and create a personal project that demonstrates
their mastery of the material.
- Cooperative Challenges
Students work in small groups to achieve a goal in the form of a Cooperative Challenge. The Cooperative Challenge is a synthesis activity, similar to the Personal Project, but specifically designed to allow students to experience the real-life situations of group problem solving in the modern work-place.
- AOE Summer Camp Curriculum Outline
This paper outlines the specific summer camps included in the Academy of Engineering Summer Camp Extension Book.
For more information regarding other PCS Learning Lab opportunities, click here!
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