Welcome to Pre-Engineering TECHNOLOGY STEM
STEM is not your father's shop-class. This is the latest evolution of what has in the past been known in schools as "METALS", "WOODS", "SHOP", "INDUSTRIAL ARTS", "TECH ED", "MODULAR TECHNOLOGY" , “INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY“, and finally Engineering Principles .
The Engineering classes at Stanton Middle School are geared towards independent learning. As in real life, students are expected to become self-guided learners. The teacher acts more as a facilitator / problem solver, explaining concepts to small groups, rather than instructing the class as a whole on a daily basis. The Engineering Technology lab presents students with the opportunity to experience and explore a variety of technological topics at eighteen different modular workstations.
This course is designed to give students a brief overview concerning a wide spectrum of technological fields so that they may choose to further study a given area in high school or college. Modules are constantly being updated and modified to reflect current trends in the world today.
6th and 7th grade students spend 9 weeks (45 days) in the class working in pairs. Each of the modules / workstations incorporates a five day lesson consisting of computer aided instruction, problem solving activities, experimentation, computer generated questions, workbook / worksheet activities as well as designing and building different projects. Grades are a composite composed of a student's computer test/quiz/assignment grades and their daily SELF evaluation scores – there are 10 possible points per day, these scores are determined by each student rating his or her SELF ASSESSMENT in the areas of: Being Prepared, Putting forth Best Effort, Neatness, Work they are Proud of, and Completeness. 100%-90% = A, 89%-80% = B, 79%-70%=C, 69%-60% = D, below 60% is failing.
It is essential that students read instructions, follow directions, ask questions and stay “on-task” in order to complete the modules successfully and excel in the class. Student attitude and effort will be key if not vital factors toward success.
Stanton's Engineering TECH class uses the modular approach to education and learning. The classroom is setup such that at any given time during a period there are 27 separate lessons in progress, ranging from AutoCad to Virtual Reality. Students work with a partner at a unique module or workstation every six days. Each module focuses on a central theme or subject area and contains 10 different lessons to be completed throughout the week. Students work together to explore the many facets of their assigned subject area: there are activities, quizzes and different projects to do on the computer which guide them through the material; while the students follow the steps on the computer, they also complete activities and answer questions in their work packets. Mr. Antalek works with the students to provide a more complete understanding of the concepts presented in each activity.