STEM

Taking Flight with STEM 

We begin with the principles of flight. Students will learn the science and math concepts on how gliders fly. Students will make modifications to their gliders to learn the engineering and design process. Students will then apply their understanding of gliders to how airplanes operate. As they study airplanes, students will learn how planes create lift, which involves exploration of air pressure and how wings use Bernoulli's principle to change air pressure. Next, students explore the other three forces acting on airplanes—thrust, weight and drag. Following these lessons, students learn how airplanes are controlled and use small models (Including RC planes) to demonstrate these principles. Students will then use engineering to improve the flight of their model planes.  We will then explore the principles behind helicopters and fly RC helicopters and drones. Students will learn about  Newton’s Laws and if time permits -we will see how these laws are applied as we will delve into rocketry and students design, construct, test, and analyze various (model) rockets.

 

Robotics 

Geared towards beginning robotics, students will be utilizing robotics kits, software and other various robotics materials to program (code), design, build, and adapt robot projects to complete designated tasks. Students will be introduced to basic coding and sensors using Spheros. Students will then work hands-on in teams to design, build, program, and document their progress as they build various robots using the Legos Mindstorm EV-3 kit or Vex V5 kits.

After obtaining basic coding skills, students will be tasked with engineering and coding their robots to meet challenges. Topics in Robotics will include: Block coding, Introduction to text programming (Javascript, C/C++, Vex code), motor control, gear ratios, torque, friction, sensors, timing, program loops,decision-making, timing sequences, and engineering principles.

Students will be most successful in Robotics if they have completed pre-algebra.