The Technology and Engineering curriculum consists of three pathways students can choose, depending on which field most interests them. A series of courses runs throughout the pathway to give students a full understanding of their chosen area of study.

One of the highlights of our technology education area is the popular Project Lead The Way pathway, which prepares students for technical careers and education beyond high school. In four of the five courses offered in the PLTW track, students can earn Gateway Technical College credit while in high school, giving them a competitive advantage when seeking post-secondary education options.  

Other course offerings fall under the Construction or Metals pathways, and include such courses as cabinetry and building construction, electronics, engineering, computer-aided drafting, metal processing, electronics and others. 

Learn about our other technology and engineering courses below:

Technology and Engineering Courses

Construction Pathway

General Woods
This course provides students with an understanding of wood related construction. Students will learn the safe and proper use of tools and machines used in the woodworking industry. Students will demonstrate the safe and proper use of hand tools and machines through the construction of various required projects, safety test, and machine demonstrations.

Machine Woods
The course incorporates machines to provide students with the techniques they need for Cabinetry Construction. The course is offered to provide students with a skill needed to perform operations on woodworking machines safely and proficiently. Students will be involved in activities to learn the techniques used to plan a project, calculate materials, and present a project portfolio. Students taking Machine Woods are required to have successfully completed General Woods.

Cabinetry Construction
To provide students with the design skills needed to create and draw cabinets, furniture and various projects including an understanding of the construction of cabinets and furniture. To develop the skills and the knowledge needed to plan, design, and construct basic wooden cabinetry, along with the advanced use of woodworking tools and machines. This course provides a comprehensive overview of all the techniques used in building cabinetry. This program covers safe and proper use of tools and machines, and the advanced use of each. It explains the planning phase of individual project design and the materials best suited for various applications. It provides an opportunity for students to experience the creation of a product and to build furniture for personal use. Various carpentry career connections will be explored. Students will design their plans with AutCAD, take measurements fro a full scale wall section and plan out a kitchen/storage space.

Building Construction
The Building Construction course provides students with an understanding of building construction. Students will develop the skills and knowledge needed to plan, design, select, and construct basic to complex structures. Career information and an opportunity to meet with area construction occupations will be included. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the many aspects involved in building construction. This program covers construction from the planning phase, project design and site selection, to the construction of the structure. It will include the selection and cost analysis of building materials, the safe use and function of various tools, and an understanding of local building codes. Various construction career connections will be explored.

Engineering and Technology Pathway: Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

The PLTW program centers on developing better problem solving skills by immersing students in real-world engineering problems.  Each of the courses uses project-based, hands-on experiences to teach students the key elements and skills of engineering and technology-based careers. PLTW has developed a set of courses which, when combined with college preparatory mathematics and science courses in high school, introduces students to the scope, rigor and discipline of engineering and engineering technology prior to entering college.  Students participating in PLTW courses are better prepared for college engineering programs and more likely to be successful in that engineering program.  Some engineering schools give advanced standing for completion of PLTW coursework. PLTW is key to students who are on a Course of Study within the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Career Pathway. 

Introduction to Engineering Design
This is the introductory course in the PLTW Program and is being offered to attract students to Engineering and Technology.  This course will introduce students to engineering and technology, and will teach students how to work in a team oriented environment. In this course, students will use modeling software as they are introduced to the design process.  Students will solve design problems as they develop, create, and analyze product models.  Students will develop an engineering problem portfolio, utilize sketching and visualization techniques, and learn geometric relationships and modeling techniques through the use of AUTOCAD  and Inventor software computer programs. 

Digital Electronics
Students will greatly increase their knowledge in electronics as it pertains to digital circuitry design and construction.  This course is a must for students seeking a career pathway in the highly recruited field of electronics and computer technology. Students will apply math principles to solve digital circuitry problems in design.  Students will learn about logic gates, clocks, counters, flip-flops, multiplexers, segment displays, and programmable GALS, while designing digital circuitry.  Lab work will consist of designing circuits using MultiSim electronic circuit simulation and electronic digital breadboarding.

Principles of Engineering
This course offers a project-based, high rigor/high relevance curriculum, which will help involved students reach higher standards in mathematics, science, and language arts. In this course, students will explore technology systems and engineering processes to find out how math, science, and technology help people. Special will continue to enhance their knowledge of the design process. Special emphasis will be placed on various engineering systems with focus on statistics and strength of materials, and materials testing in engineering. Engineering for reliability and introduction to Dynamics and Kinematics will also be explored.

Civil Engineering and Architecture
This course is designed to give students an opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding in the field architectural drafting, design, graphics, land development and project planning. This course will place teams of students together to develop and plan projects for specific community site.  They will be involved with analysis of a building site, the legal description of such a site, surveying this site, soil testing, and developing a structure to fit the purpose of this site.  They will also be involved with the structural analysis of the building materials to erect this structure.  Students projects will be interlocked with the Building Construction Class.

Computer Integrated Manufacturing
This course will offer students the opportunity to learn concepts of robotics and automated manufacturing by creating three-dimensional designs with modeling software and producing models of their designs.

Manufacturing Pathway

AutoCAD Principles
This is a highly recommended course for students taking classes in Construction, Manufacturing, and Engineering and Technology pathways. Students will learn how to construct 2-D and 3-D computer-aided drawings using the AutoCAD software program. Students will also learn how to draw 3-view orthographic projections to generate working drawings. AutoCAD is the base software program used in construction, electronics, materials processing, computer animation, and engineering careers.

Inventor
This is a highly recommended course for students taking classes in Construction, Manufacturing, and Engineering and Technology pathways. Students will learn how to construct 3-D computer-aided drawings using the Inventor software program. Students will also learn how to generate Part files, Drawing files, Assembly files, and Presentation files as it applies to the Inventor software program. Inventor is a parametric modeling software program used in construction, electronics, materials processing, computer animation, and engineering careers. A great class with real-life math application!

Electronics AC/DC
Students enrolled in Electronics AC/DC will develop knowledge and skills basic to electricity and electronic through extensive lab activities  and projects.  This course will open the eyes of students to a world full of career opportunities leading to secure employment. The theory and application of AC/DC electronics is learned through “hands-on” activities.  Students will develop knowledge and skills needed to technically solve electronic circuitry problems.  Students will learn about resistors, potentiometers, photocells, diodes, SCR’s, transistors, Ohm’s Law, and digital meters.  Students will also assemble an AM/FM Superhet radio kit and will learn how to use frequency generators and oscilloscopes.

Metal Processing
This course is designed to give students their first experience in welding, sheet metal, and machining processes. Emphasis is placed on “hands on” activities in all areas.  It is a great introductory course to let students decide if they wish to continue in courses in the metals area. Students will spend approximately six weeks in each of the three areas of manufacturing. In welding, students will be given an overview through the experience of gas welding.  Sheet metal will consist of the basic principles, processes, and theories involved in this trade.  Machining will introduce the students metal working with lathes, drill press, and mills.  All of these processes will be learned through a series of lab and classroom activities.  This “hands on” class is an exploratory class in manufacturing/metals technology.

Advanced Metals
This course is designed to give students insight and practical knowledge of the machining industry. Shop experience will include the study of the major machining areas.  A wide range of machining applications will be used to produce a bench vise.   Students will also have the opportunity to develop skills in the areas of oxy-acetylene, arc, M.I.G. and T.I.G. welding. The student will become proficient in welding mild steel, aluminum, brass, and stainless steel.  Students will be involved in beginner level metallurgy research, analysis of steel and material properties and will be introduced to methods of material testing used in modern industry. Students will be expected to present a project designed using AutoCAD or Inventor along with a bill of materials.