7th Grade -Gateway To Technology:
Design and Modeling-A Pre-Engineering Curriculum
Project Lead The Way®-Forging a New Generation of Engineers
www.pltw.org
Instructor: Mr. Whiting Phone: 952-226-0700 Email: nwhiting@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us
The Gateway To Technology® (GTT) cutting-edge and nationally recognized program that addresses the interest and
energy of middle school students, while incorporating national standards in mathematics, science, and technology.
GTT is “activity oriented” to show students how technology is used in engineering to solve everyday problems in units
of study.
The GTT curriculum provides project-based learning—a hands-on approach--that is exciting and fun for the full-range
of students in today’s classrooms and that relates technology to students’ daily lives. It also promotes communication
and collaboration by emphasizing a teaming approach in the instructional units. This approach utilizes the strengths of
each team member to accomplish the goals of the project, while offering students learning challenges at all ability
levels.
The mathematics, science, and technology integrated GTT program helps students develop and hone skills in middle
school that enable them to enter the high school pre-college engineering program (Project Lead The Way®) with
foundation knowledge and skills for success in engineering. In high school, students may elect to take PLTW high
school classes for university/college credit. These credits are transferable to several colleges across the country as well
as regional colleges that include the University of Minnesota, University of Iowa and Normandale Community College.
Class Description: Gateway To Technology - Design and Modeling
Design and modeling uses drawing and solid modeling to introduce students to the design process.
Utilizing this design approach, students will learn measurement, sketching techniques, how to use descriptive geometry
as a component of design and understand how solid modeling has influenced their lives. Students will use Inventor
software by AutoCAD to design a compressed air powered dragster, a magnetic levitation (Mag-Lev) vehicle and
several additional parts and components. After completion of the dragster and mag-lev designs, students will use hand
tools and machines to fabricate and test the vehicles. Prior to using the tools and machines safety will be covered.
Additionally, students will learn about simple machines so they can design and construct a Rube Goldberg device.
There will be six units to this course:
Introduction to Technology, Design Process, Sketching and Views, 3D Modeling, Prototype Fabrication and the
Mechanics of Motion.
Standards learned throughout this course:
ITEA: National Standards For Technological Literacy
STL #2:Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology
STL#4:Students will develop an understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and political effects of technology
STL#8:Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design
STL#9:Students will develop an understanding of engineering design
STL#10:Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem solving
STL#11:Students will develop the abilities to apply the design process
NRC: National Science Education Standards
NSES Content Standard K-12: Unifying Concepts and Processes As a result of activities in grades K-12, all students should develop understanding and abilities aligned with
the following concepts and processes- systems, order and organization - evidence, models and explanation - change, constancy, and measurement - form and function
NSES Content Standard B: Physical Science As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding of motions and forces -transfer of energy
NSES Content Standard E: Science and Technology As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop abilities of technological design and understandings about
science and technology
NCTM: Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
PSSM Geometry Standard: Instructional programs from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 should enable all students to analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three-
dimensional geometric shapes and develop mathematical arguments about geometric relationships and to use visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling to solve
problems
PSSM Problem Solving Standard: Instructional programs from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 should enable all students to apply and adapt a variety of appropriate strategies
to solve problems
PSSM Connections Standard: Instructional programs from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 should enable all students to recognize and apply mathematics in contexts outside
of mathematics
PSSM Representation Standard: Instructional programs from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 should enable all students to use representations to model and interpret physical,
social, and mathematical phenomena
NCTM and IRA: National Standard for English Language Arts
SELA Standard 5: Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences and
for a variety of purposes
SELA Standard 8: Students use a variety of technological and informational resources (e.g. libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information
and to create and communicate knowledge
SELA Standard 12: Students use spoken, written and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g. for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of
information)
Grading
Each student’s final grade will be completed from scores on daily work (notebook entries), assignments,
drawings, projects, tests and classroom participation. Classroom points and percentages will be awarded as follows:
Students overall grades will be based on the following:
Grade (%) Grade (%)
A 100-93 C+ 79-77
A- 92-90 C 76-73
B+ 89-87 C- 72-70
B 86-83 D+ 69-67
B- 82-80 D 66-63
D- 62-60
F 59 or below
Homework
Some homework will be required for this class, most of the assignments and projects will be completed
during class. If a student misses a class or falls behind they will likely need to come in after school to makeup what
they missed.
Help and extra work time for projects and assignments is available after school. This must be arranged by speaking
to the instructor prior to staying after school.
Fees
Any student that would like to take their class projects home are asked to pay a class fee of $10. The class fee
is used to pay for Dragster, Mag-Lev and Rube Goldberg classroom projects. Students will not be allowed to take their
projects home if they do not pay the class fee. Also, if you would like to provide a scholarship to help pay for another
student’s project who could not otherwise afford to pay the class fee, please feel free to donate an additional amount to
help with this.
Classroom Rules
1. Listen without talking while the instructor is speaking.
2. Be in your assigned seat before the bell rings. Students will be counted tardy if they are not in their assigned
seat before the bell rings.
3. No food, candy, drink, pop or gum is allowed in the classroom.
4. Students should remain in their seats unless they have permission to be out of it.
5. Follow all safety rules and procedures. Failure to follow safety rules will result in severe consequences, such
as removal from class or loss of machine use privileges.
Student Use of Information Technology/Computers
Students are expected to use the school information technology/computers in an appropriate manner.
Unacceptable use will result in loss of use or information technology/computers. Consequences may include but are not
limited to internet use, loss of credit for school projects and disciplinary action.
Consequences for offenses:
1st offense – Loss of school computer use for five (5) school days
2nd offense – Loss of school computer use for thirty (30) school days
3rd offense – Loss of school computer use for remainder of trimester or
school year
Please view the student assignment notebook to review all of the information technology policies.
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7th Grade Gateway To Technology:
(Please sign and return this with the $10.00 class fee)
Parent Signature:_________________________________ Date________________
Print Name:______________________________________
Student Signature:_________________________________ Date:_______________
Print Name:______________________________________ Hour:_______________