J. Michael Lunsford Middle School

Technology Education

Instructor:

Technology Education at Lunsford

                Technology Education is a subject, which begins at the middle school level.  In Loudoun County, it is our objective to expose students to a wide array of technological systems and applications.  The middle school program is exploratory in nature, providing students with hands-on experience in an array of subjects.  Through these learning activities students see the application of concepts from academic courses and also begin to ponder possible career endeavors.

Teaching Strategies

Technology Education is primarily a “hands-on” learning environment.  The computer is used as well as many other types of tools in learning activities.  Three types of activities are used at Lunsford Middle School.  They are listed below.

1)  Computer  Module   - Lunsford  Middle school is equipped with two state of the art computer labs.  Each computer station is known a  module.  The eighth grade classroom is additionally equipped with a more traditional materials processing room.  A module may be better described as a learning station which is devoted to a particular subject such as Electronics or Computer Animation.  Each module guides students through a sequence of learning activities in which they learn about a particular technology.  Each module is equipped with its own tools and supplies needed for the “hands-on” learning activities.  The following is a list of modules used at Lunsford Middle.

Rocketry & Space                                Applied Physics                     Weather  Monitoring

Electricity                                               Electronics                              Lights & Lasers

Materials Technology                         Biotechnology                         Oceanography

Computer Aided Drawing                  C N C  Lathe & Mill                Plastics

Desktop Publishing                            Engineering Structures        Video Production

Creative Solutions (Invention)           Audio Broadcasting              Robotics

Flight and Aviation                               Small Engines                       Practical Skills

Dynamic Earth                                      ROBOLAB by Lego               Package Design

Forces                                                   Astronomy                               Digital Sound

2) STEM Activity – A Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Activity is an engineering challenge which is posed to students.  Individually or in small collaborative groups they will design and construct a project in relation to the challenge.  The engineering process is learned and practiced as students learn various scientific and engineering concepts.  The scope of objectives varies according to the challenge but, again, applied learning is central.  The following are some examples of our learned objectives:  Design Process, Team Work, Problem Solving, Thrust, Friction, Aerodynamics, Restraint / Airbag Systems, Structural Engineering, Compression, Torsion, Airfoils, etc.  The names of some design briefs used at Lunsford Middle are listed below.

CO2 Car Dragster                                  Model Rockets            Graphic Design                      

AeroLab (Flight)                                     Solar Vehicle               Balsa Wood Tower

Egg Crash Test Vehicle                           Truss Design                Mouse Trap Vehicle

Bridge Design                                         Hovercrafts                  Hydraulic Robot Arm  

Hot Air Balloon                                      Marble Roller Coaster

3 )  Project – An integral part of the Technology Education curriculum is to teach safety and usage of common hand tools and power machinery.  The eighth grade laboratory is equipped with a materials processing classroom.  Here, students will learn safety and proper usage of basic tools and equipment.  A class project is used to facilitate the learning of such skills.  Projects that students create here at Lunsford are primarily constructed from wood and plastic with some additional mechanical hardware.  Several examples are listed below.

                                    Picture Frame                                      Jewelry Box (w/CNC)

                                    Mantel Clock                                        Candy Machine

 Each module has learning specific activities tailored for each technology.  A prescribed amount of extra points may be added to a student’s grade according to which activities have been successfully completed.  The amount of points vary according to which activities are performed.  Common to every module is the“Vocabulary” and “Career Investigation Worksheet”.  Each carry a value of 100 points.  Students have the opportunity to research additional occupations.  The textbook for the career worksheet is the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the website is: http://www.bls.gov/oco/,  and is also located on the worksheet so students can have access outside the classroom.