STEM for Junior High Syllabus

Mrs. Dowd

Contact Information:

Room: 126 Email:

Phone: 419.534.5376 ext.3126


Course Description:

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The goal of this course is to study these disciplines in a multidisciplinary, project-based manner that allows students to apply their learning to real-life situations. Specifically, the course will be broken into two major units: Design & Modeling and Automation & Robotics.

Design & Modeling
Students apply the design process to solve problems and understand the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They work in teams to design a playground and furniture, capturing research and ideas in their engineering notebooks. Using Autodesk® design software, students create a virtual image of their designs and produce a portfolio to showcase their innovative solutions.

Automation & Robotics
Students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students use the VEX Robotics® platform to design, build, and program real-world objects such as traffic lights, toll booths, and robotic arms.

Tutoring/Open Lab:

Most of the work done in this course will require the use of the computers in our classroom. While ample time will be given in class to complete all projects requiring the lab computers, there may be circumstances when a student needs extra time on the computer. I will notify you of any scheduled open lab/tutoring times. If you need extra tutoring or lab time on other days, please see me ahead of time to check my availability. I am always willing to meet you before or after school as long as I have prior notification.

Materials Needed:

In order to be organized and ready to learn it is important that each of you have the proper tools. It is your responsibility to be prepared every day with the following.

·  Pencils (preferably mechanical, with extra lead) and pen (not black)

·  Eraser

·  Binder or Folder

·  Lined Paper

*Please note, due to the project-based nature of this class, there may be other materials needed as the semester goes on.

Classroom Rules:

1.  Be prepared and working in your seat before the bell rings.

2.  Be respectful of others and their property.

3.  Have a positive attitude

4.  Use appropriate language

5.  No food/drinks in the room (including water and gum!)

Daily Routine:

1.  Be in your seat by time the bell rings.

  1. Laptops should be put away and should never be out unless you have been instructed to use them. For the most part, we will use only the lab computers in this class.

2.  Get out your homework and materials for the day.

  1. Homework will either be checked or collected. If your homework is not on your desk (or submitted electronically) by the time I come around, it is late.

3.  Begin working on Bellwork.

  1. You will have 3-5 minutes to complete the Bellwork, starting with the ring of the bell. Use your time efficiently or you will lose points.

4.  Correct Bellwork and Homework.

5.  Topic Lesson

6.  Classwork

7.  Begin working on homework.

  1. If you complete your classwork, you may begin working on your homework individually.

8.  I, not the bell, will dismiss you when class is completed.

Absences:

It is your responsibility to find out what material you missed while absent. In order to do this, there is an absent folder in the class that you will find your work in. It is your responsibility to check the absent folder and copy the notes from a classmate. You will only be able to make up the work if you have an excused absence; while I will still provide the missed work, unexcused absences or suspensions receive NO credit for work missed. You have as many days as you were absent to make up the work that you missed. For example, if you are absent two days, then you will have two days to make up the work you missed for no reduction in points. If you are absent on a test or quiz day, you need to make arrangements to make up the test or quiz before or after school. Any homework that was due the day you were absent is due the day you return.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET YOUR ABSENT WORK!

Grading Policy:

Your grade will be calculated based on the following percentages:

Projects/Tests 40%

Classwork 25%

Quizzes 25%

Homework 10%

100%

Your letter grade is determined from the school scale. The scale is:

92 – 100 A

82 – 91 B

72 – 81 C

63 – 66 D

0 – 59 F

Students and parents can view their grades & missing assignments at any time by logging into PowerSchool.

Projects (40%)

There will be some large projects that will encompass all of the material we have learned in this course. Almost all projects will be completed by working with a group of students.

Classwork (25%):

Occasionally in class you will be expected to complete some form of classwork that will be counted for a grade. This may include bellwork, worksheets, group work, labs, or smaller projects. Classwork assignments are to be completed in class and turned in before you leave. Classwork is never taken home and is rarely accepted late.

Homework (10%):

Homework is an essential part of learning. Depending on the day, homework will either be checked or collected. With all assignments in this class, you must show all your work and explain all of your answers or you will not receive credit.

Tests (40%) and Quizzes (25%):

Tests will be announced and will cover the current unit, as well as material over previous units. Quizzes will also be announced and will cover sections of a unit, vocabulary, or your notebook. I may also give pop quizzes at any time, so always be prepared when you come to class.

Late Work

Because of the cumulative nature of this course and the fact that you will have group members relying on you, it is very important that work be completed by its due date. In the event your work is not turned in on time, you will lose 10% off your work for every school day it is late. Late work is not accepted more than 5 school days after the due date. Please note, occasionally there will be assignments that will NOT be accepted late at all.

Binder/Folder:

You will be expected to keep a binder or folder of everything we do in this class. I will put objectives, vocabulary, and sample problems on the board, and I will expect you to copy all of them down in your notes. Your binder will be kept in order by date, so date everything you do in this class. Anything you receive in this class will need to be kept in your binder. If you are absent it is your responsibility to get the missed notes. I will occasionally have binder checks or quizzes that will count towards your classwork grade.

Cheating:

In this classroom, I have a zero tolerance for cheating in any degree. If you feel the need to copy assignments, you can expect a zero and the administration to be notified. It is very important that you do your own work at all times. If, at any time, you feel like somebody is cheating off your paper please see me immediately. If you voluntarily let somebody cheat, you will also receive a zero and a referral.

Finally:

I will expect everyone to be an active learner in this classroom. This means asking questions and volunteering. If you ever feel lost it is very important that you see me immediately. In this class, everything builds onto one another, so the longer you wait, the harder it will be to catch up. I will be available before and after school if you require additional help.

This course will be unlike most courses you have taken previously. Because of the project-based nature of this course, there will be times you are struggling with what to do. While this can be very frustrating, this is often where the most learning occurs. While I will be more than happy to help guide your work, there will be times I will not be able to give you the answer and you will have to rely on your classmates to work together to solve a problem. Through this process, you will have the opportunity to experience situations similar to careers in these fields.

This syllabus can change at any time at my discretion.


Please sign and return this page to Mrs. Dowd.

I have read and understand all the rules and procedures of the STEM class. I also understand the late work policy and absent work policy as described.

Parents & Guardians: Please make sure your contact information with the school is correct, as this is what I will use if I need to get ahold of you about your child.

Student Name: ______

Student Signature: ______

Parent or Guardian Name: ______

Parent or Guardian Signature: ______

Does your child have any special needs (i.e. glasses, hearing problems, etc)

Yes No

If yes, please explain.

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