La Cumbre Jr HS Industrial Tech Department

Industrial Technology

About our program

The Industrial Technology Department at La Cumbre Middle School offers two classes.

The Technology Exploration class is a required class for all 7th grade students. It is semester long class and is teamed with a semester of Science.

The Industrial Technology class is an elective class for 8th grade students. It is year long class and is divided into a semester of Woods Technology, and a semester of Metals and advanced Technology.

The 7th grade Technology Exploration class has fifteen different areas of studies for students. Each student spends five days in a specific study area and works with a partner. The fifteen areas are listed below. CAD (Computer Aided Drafting)

Students learn the basics of CAD by using a program called DiscoverCAD. Students complete simple mechanical drawings on the computer, then send these drawings to a plotter, which uses an ink pen to make their drawings on paper.

Applied Physics

In applied physics students learn mechanical linkages, such as gears, and sprockets and chains. They also experiment with measurement of weight, and Lasers. The students experiment with gear ratios and chain sprocket ratios, learning how to gain mechanical advantage.

Research and Development

Students design, construct, and test a vehicle given specific size and weight constraints. During testing they will determine the efficiency of the vehicle based on weight and speed.

Robotics

Students learn the parts and nomenclature related to robots. Students will also learn about use of robots in industry. They will be programming two different robots, one, which moves, based on light or dark, and another, which is controlled by a computer to pick and place an object.

Visual Communications

Students complete a variety of activities using drafting tools. Included are learning to measure using a ruler, and drawing horizontal, vertical, and angular lines using a T-square and triangles.

Electricity

Students learn the basics of electrical components and circuits, as well as making electricity with magnetism and chemicals.

Computer Graphics

Students learn the basics of computer animation using a program called AnimationWorks. Students create their own computer animation including a minimum of two actors, a colored background, and text.

Tools and Machines

Students learn to identify and use common woodworking tools and machines, including the hand saw, brace and bit, block plane, disc and belt sander, band saw, scroll saw, and drill press. Students make a nutcracker using the tool skills they acquire.

Aerodynamics

Students learn the principal of flight by experimenting with different shapes in a wind tunnel. They learn how these shapes affect the lift and drag of an object. The students also use a flight simulator to experience what it is like to fly a plane.

Audio Communications

Students write a script for a 20-minute radio program. On this script they must include four news stories, one weather report, on sports report, four commercials, and four songs. Students then record this script onto an audiotape.

Power and Energy

Students will disassemble and explain the four strokes of a four-stroke internal combustion engine. Students will also test the engine’s compression and electrical system.

Biotechnology

Using computer programs, students explore systems of the human body, including the skeletal system, the cardiovascular system, and the muscular system. Students also take their pulse and respiration, then ride an exercise bicycle for four minutes, and then retake their pulse and respiration to see the effect of exercise on their body functions.

Plastics

Students learn a variety of manufacturing techniques associated with plastics. They use injection molding to make their own screw driver, an engraving machine to make a key fob and a name tag, and laminating techniques and power and hand tools to create a pendant of their own design.

Desktop Publishing

Students use a digital camera to take pictures of their partner, then put this picture on a document where they type their autobiography. Students also create their own resume and advertising flier on the computer.

Engineering Structures

Students learn about different structures including skyscrapers and bridges. They then, with their partner, construct a bridge of a specific design using balsa wood. At the end of the semester the bridges are tested to see which will hold the most weight

The 8th grade Woods Technology class has offers instruction in both hand and power tools. The required projects are Salt and Pepper Shakers, a Jewelry Box, and a CD/Book Rack. Extra credit products include a cutting board, a laminated skateboard, a CO2 Cartridge powered dragster, and many self designed projects.

The 8th grade Metals and Advanced Technology class offers 8 advanced modules, each lasting 9 days. Each Friday a movie is shown exploring different careers available. The eight modules are listed below.

Advanced Animation

Using information learned in the 7th grade Technology Exploration class students create their own computer animation short movie. In this movie the students use existing actors, create their own actors, have a background color or scene, utilize texting and add sound effects. The students also experiment with Morphing Technology.

Architectural CAD

Students design a number of individual rooms on the computer as an introduction to architectural design. At the end of the 9 days in the module they design a "dream house" of their own.

Advanced Computer Use

Students learn to use databases and spreadsheets, and how to incorporate them into a text document. Students also are exposed to basic programming and create simple programs of their own.

Career Exploration

Students fill out a job interest survey and list careers they have thought about. They then create a resume and a cover letter related to one of the careers they listed. Students practice filling out a short and a long job application and go through a mock job interview.

Sheet Metal

Students make a sheet metal dustpan using layout and measuring techniques originally covered in the Woods Technology class. Students also make a small sheet metal storage box and cover.

Foundry

Students learn the basics of sand casting techniques, then create a sand mold for creating an aluminum handle which will eventually be connected to the sheet metal pan to finish the dustpan.

Drafting

Students complete a variety of advanced activities using drafting tools. Included are learning to measure using a ruler, and drawing horizontal, vertical, and angular lines using a T-square and triangles. Included in the assigned projects are three view (orthographic) drawings, pictorial drawings, and perspective drawings.

Construction

Students learn the basic parts of a wood frame house including studs, joists, rafters, and sills. After a review of their own house they cut and construct a scale model of a one-room cabin