Mr. Fowler's Foundation of Technology
Foundations of Technology is a class which attempts to open the students minds to the changes technology has made on their lives and how technology will affect their lives in the future. Students come to this class during each of their three years at Lincoln Heights Middle School. Each year, a student will take approximately five of the fifteen modules that are offered.
The modular stations in this class are desiged to be a self-study with assistance from the teacher as needed. The workstations use books, videotapes and computer programs to guide the student in the study of the station. A packet of paper work is provided for each station and is done totally at school during class time. Grades for the students are derived from the packet based on its percentage of completeness.
Below is a brief discription of each work station!
TV BROADCASTING: In the broadcasting station, students are in front of the camera delivering the news sports and weather. Their efforts are then turned over to the producers for editing into a final video.
TV PRODUCTION: In this station, students become producers by editing video from the TV Broadcasting station. Producers edit the video by cutting out unwanted portions, adding transitions, titles, music or voice overs to create the final tape. This is done with Video Editing Software.
RADIO: In the Radio station, students learn about the business of Radio from what the Manager does to what the sales staff is responsible for. Students use the equipment in the station to produce a show tape, which makes them sound like radio personalities.
RESEARCH AND DESIGN: This station gives the students an insight into the process of automotive design. Computer programs allow students to design cars and trucks and test aerodynamic efficiency.
ROBOTICS: This station teaches the students about industrial robotics and how it has affedted industry. Students use a computer program to learn about programming a robot to perform a specific task.
FLUID POWER: Students learn about Pneumatics and Hydraulics and how these technologies are used in tools and equipment.
ENGINEERING: Students learn the principles of engineering such as stress, strain, tension, and compression. Programs on the computer allow the student to put into practice their new knowledge by building a bridge to support a truck as it rolls across. An improperly designed bridge will collapse as the truck passes.
CAD: CAD or Computer Aided Drafting shows the student how computers are used to design and draft items from machine parts to house plans.
CNC: Computer Numerical Control is a technology widely used in production of a wide range of products. Students can design and mill with the CNC Mill.
ELECTRCITY AND ELECTRONICS: Students study the basics of electricity and electronics. A computer program allows students to wire circuits using switches, resistors, bulbs, motors and other components in a safe manner.
MEDICAL: This station lets the student learn some interesting facts about the human body as well as explore a future in medical field.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION: In this station, students learn about the transportation system used to move product around the country and the world.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS: Students learn about some of the many things one can do with a computer including using a digital camera.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: This station teaches the student how we communicate. Students learn where communication started and how it has developed from smoke signals to email.
FLIGHT: In this station, students learn the basics of flight and are able to implement their knowledge through the use of Microsoft Flight Simulator.