welcome to stem!
Orientation
SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU IN STEM!
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO REVIEW THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION
One of my favorite things about STEM is that there's something for everyone! And we always feel great whenever we finish MAKING something together! Best advice for you in all of the STEM classes. What you put in, you get out. We prioritize relationships, community, & making. Do the work, you will pass & get a decent grade. Push yourself, and you will get new skills. Really push yourself and you will be a top STEM Scholar. The future is yours 😉
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See official course syllabus & pdf docs below for further info & reference.
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FLINN SAFETY
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MAKERSPACE SAFETY PROCEDURES
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Taking care of our makerspace by putting things away, cleaning up stations, and following class protocols is a priority. Reminders are posted upon entry to the classroom. Students having difficulty practicing class care will be asked to complete an alternative project & be removed from using certain tools.
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Demonstrating following of instructions early on in the course (particularly in Engineering courses) where eventual project work requiring safety & maintenance in using tools/machinery/materials is a priority. Reminders are posted upon entry to the classroom. Students having difficulty practicing instruction following will be asked to complete an alternative project & be removed from using certain tools.
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Contributing to our teams & staying positive keeps our makerspace a place where creativity & trying new things (which at times involves making mistakes) can thrive! Students reflect on growth mindset strategies throughout the semester & affirmations are posted in our class to help students persist when given project tasks that might at times feel challenging!
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We all have different approaches in our making processes. One of the main goals in STEM is helping students thrive in any tech-related field by structuring their learning & skill development so they are quick to research & make time and effort to practice independently in class & at home. Reminders to aim for quality and continually develop patience/resilience to solve/build are a regular part of project/assignment discussions.
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Students are mostly graded on their completion of, not mastery of tasks. At times they will be challenged to learn independently, and complete regular reflections on their making experiences. They also are responsible for keeping a digital portfolio to be updated daily/weekly. Organizing and having all items for the entire semester will be counted for a summative final grade.
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STEM courses are also career driven courses that if a student chooses, may culminate to a STEM Capstone where they can earn the distinction of being a STEM Pathway Scholar. Thus, student coursework includes regular write ups and reading on various STEM current & local/national events, notes on guest speakers, and ethics--encouraging development in professional career based skills: communication, collaboration, & focus to practice Noblesse Oblige in our communities beyond Maryknoll. Another primary goal is to develop traits of an ideal Maryknoll STEM Scholar: one who will seek out opportunities to lead in community competitions, mentorships, and internships.
CLICK BELOW TO SEE TENTATIVE PROJECTS FOR EACH COURSE
Project work will be documented with "project briefs" where students will show their research/sketch/design, build progress, & work quality analysis for future improvements. Briefs are to be printed turned in with final builds.
INTRO TO STEM
1. PERSONAL PROFILE WEB-PAGE
a) code (syntax & debugging)
B) software dev process
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2. mechanical systems & robotics
a) vex iq system
b) simple & compound machines
C) DESIGN, project implementation
D) communication & collaboration
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3. Global issues CHATBOT
A) Intermediate javascript
b) software dev process
C) empathy & social issues
D) design & documentation
e) project implementation
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4. BUILD challenge
A) Concept & Technical SKETCHING
B) DESIGN & DOCUMENTATION
C) PRECISION & PLANNING IN BUILDING
D) communication & collaboration
e) build replica Or course
INTRO TO ROBOTICS
1. cad
a) technical sketching
B) drive train cad
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2. vex/robotics programming
A) coding (syntax & debugging)
B) DESIGN & DOCUMENTATION
C) PRECISION & PLANNING
D) communication
e) collaboration
f) electrical systems
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3. mechanics
A) structures
b) mechanisms
C) testing & building
D) design & documentation
e) project implementation
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4. competition design & testing
a) course design
b) test iteration
C) project implementation
D) communication
e) collaboration
PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING
1. ALT. ENERGY RESEARCH/LABS
a) ENERGY CONSUMPTION
b) SOURCES OF ENERGY
C) SOLAR/PV PANEL LAB
D) WIND GENERATOR LAB
E) EXPERIMENTAL BUILD
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2. project of choice
A) MECHANICS
B) competition
C) product design
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3. research
A) cubesat
b) pre-capstone
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4. spartan shop
A) ideas & research
b) test designs
C) complete designs
d) finish & package
e) 3d printer builds and maintenance
INTRO TO ENGINEERING
1. SKILLS-BASED labs & EQUIPMENT QUIZZES
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2. mechanical build
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3. electrical/programming build
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4. REVERSE ENGINEERING RESEARCH
a) BREAK APART
b) RESEARCH
C) CAD/SKETCH
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5. materials & manufacturing
6. spartan shop
A) ideas & research
b) test designs
C) complete designs
d) 3d printer builds and maintenance
Career-Based/Academic Skills
1. Growth mindset
a) persisting in new skills
B) time management
c) problem solving
d) teams & assignments due
e) ownership of quality work
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2. PORTFOLIO BUILDING
A) word document & microsoft 365
B) documenting progress
C) REFLECTING for growth (QUARTERLY & per project)
D) keeping notes organized
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3. STUDYING FOR QUIZZES & TESTS
A) study for assessments
b) psuedocode for word problems
C) IS/ICS/AP-coding practice, IE/POE-
safety/tools
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4. MAKERSPACE CARE & respect
a) following protocols
B) areas clean & organized
c) communicate effectively
d) time management skills
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Communicating Concerns
1. Turning in work to pass course
A) get extra help during flex
B) Plagiarism
c) danger of failing
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2. behavior
a) disrupting --> detention
B) infraction for disrespect
C) will not be allowed to work with materials/be given an alternative assignment if not able to follow instructions
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3. makerspace care
A) Students will be given detention if they have not kept their work areas clear/organized
B) students may not be allowed to work with materials/be given an alternative assignment if not able to care for makerspace work areas
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enforcement of makerspace & course expectations are not meant to be punitive, but to help students practice accountability in organizing, focus, & safety while building.
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emails will not always be sent home for detention notification or missing work, but will be in the case of infraction writing, danger of not-passing, or assignment of alternative project work.
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please see the official course syllabus for further info.