Introduction to the Eighth Grade Technology Education Program  

The eighth grade Technology Education program is entitled Engineering 2.  Engineering 2 is a forty-five period curriculum that is designed to promote the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Science, Technology, and Engineering.  Topic areas included within these forty-five periods are: Measurement, Aerodynamics, Automotive Design, Drafting, and Materials Technology.   

Course Purpose   

1. Introductory curriculum designed as an eighth grade exploration of engineering.
2. Utilize lecture, demonstration, experimentation, and hands-on experience to help the students comprehend the characteristics and interrelationship of aerodynamics, CO₂ dragster design, dragster construction and testing of the dragster.
3. Provide the students with a chance to use basic scientific and engineering skills to invent, design, construct and test a CO₂ powered dragster.
4. Enhance the students’ problem solving, analysis and synthesis skills.
5. Furnish the students with an opportunity to strengthen and expand their math skills.
6. Develop skills for communicating, negotiating and cooperating with others.
7. Contribute to the development the students’ self esteem.

Instructional Approach     

The instructional approach is based upon Learning Focus Solutions and Project Lead the Way initiatives.  In addition, a variety of instructional strategies will be used. These instructional strategies include, but are not limited to: teacher directed lessons, hands on demonstrations, integration of technology, cooperative learning, inquiry based learning and discovery learning.  The instructional strategies will vary with the type of activity being conducted and the needs of the students.

Assessment

The assessment is primarily based upon measurement worksheet scores, rubric evaluation of all drawings, rubric evaluation of the dragster and an assessment of the Engineering Notebook.  Additional assessment factors may include:  teacher observation of classroom performance, class participation, and cooperative work with other students.