Course Description
Interested in solving problems, fixing/making things, or making the world a better place to live? If so, then this S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) class is for you. You will develop an interesting science project, research the scientific literature related to this project, write a research proposal, collect data on the project, analyze the data, and communicate this project at various science fairs/competitions. At this point you may be thinking, how does art apply? You will learn the artistic skills necessary to create a crowd-pleasing display board and/or slideshow presentation as well as the public speaking skills to wow the judges and public. Students may sign up for this course multiple times (Year I, Year II, Year III) to complete different science projects each year or complete extensions of a previous project.
Course Duration: Year-Long
Credit Hours: 1 (weighted, honors)
Type of Course: Elective
Prerequisites for Course: none
Core Curriculum Content Standards
Science, Technology & Engineering, and Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (2023)
Technology & Engineering
Grades 9-12
- Use various approaches to communicate processes and procedures for using, maintaining, and assessing technological products and systems.(3.5.9-12.A)
- Critically assess and evaluate a technology that minimizes resource use and resulting waste to achieve a goal.(3.5.9-12.B)
- Develop a solution to a technological problem that has the least negative environmental and social impact.(3.5.9-12.C)
- Evaluate how technology and engineering advancements alter human health and capabilities.(3.5.9-12.E)
- Evaluate ways that technology and engineering can impact individuals, society, and the environment.(3.5.9-12.H)
- Interpret laws, regulations, policies, and other factors that impact the development and use of technology.(3.5.9-12.L)
- Develop a device or system for the marketplace.(3.5.9-12.M)
- Apply appropriate design thinking processes to diagnose, adjust, and repair systems to ensure precise, safe, and proper functionality.(3.5.9-12.O)
- Apply a broad range of design skills to a design thinking process.(3.5.9-12.P)
- Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.(3.5.9-12.T (ETS))
- Evaluate and define the purpose of a design.(3.5.9-12.U)
- Apply principles of human-centered design.(3.5.9-12.V)
- Implement the best possible solution to a design using an explicit process.(3.5.9-12.X)
- Recognize and explain how their community and the world around them informs technological development and engineering design.(3.5.9-12.Z)
- Safely apply an appropriate range of making skills to a design thinking process.(3.5.9-12.AA)
- Analyze how technology transfer occurs when a user applies an existing innovation developed for one function for a different purpose.(3.5.9-12.CC)
- Develop a plan that incorporates knowledge from science, mathematics, and other disciplines to design or improve a technological product or system.(3.5.9-12.DD)
- Analyze the stability of a technological system and how it is influenced by all of the components in the system, especially those in the feedback loop.(3.5.9-12.LL)
- Analyze the rate of technological and engineering development and predict future diffusion and adoption of new innovations and technologies.(3.5.9-12.NN)
- Use project management tools, strategies, and processes in planning, organizing, and controlling work.(3.5.9-12.OO)
- Demonstrate the use of conceptual, graphical, virtual, mathematical, and physical modeling to identify conflicting considerations before the entire system is developed and to aid in design decision making.(3.5.9-12.PP)
Units
Unit #1 - Topic Selection
Unit #2 - Researching Scientific Literature and Media
Unit #3 - Writing a Science Research Proposal
Unit #4 - Safely Conducting Scientific Research
Unit #5 - Analyzing Scientific Data
Unit #6 - Effectively & Artistically Communicating Scientific Research
Unit #7 - Next Steps: Topic Selection, Research, Proposal
