Principles of Engineering Syllabus

Jasinski 2016-17

CONTACT INFO

Jon Jasinski                        

jjasinski@medwayschools.org

@MrJasinski

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This survey course of engineering exposes students to some of the major concepts that they will encounter in a post-secondary engineering course of study.  In addition to investigating engineering and high tech careers, students develop skills and understanding of course concepts through activity-, project-, and problem-based (APPB) learning.

MATERIALS

ENGINEERING NOTEBOOK – These will be provided.  If you have one from a previous engineering class, you may continue to use it.  These will be stored in the classroom and checked regularly.

CALCULATOR – Scientific calculators will suffice.  Students are encouraged to put their name on their calculator.  Cell phone calculators are fine for class, but not tests or quizzes.

PEN & PENCIL – Official engineering notebooks are documented in pen, not pencil.  When we are first creating a sketch, however, it is better to start in pencil, then trace in pen to make permanent.

FOLDER or BINDER – The handouts and activities should be kept and organized.  Choose your method.

THE DIGITAL CLASSROOM

BLOG:   MedwayPOE,blogspot.com

This is our public site viewable by all.  It contains blog updates about what is going on in the class, info about the course, a lesson calendar, resources, and links to other useful places.

CANVAS Learning Management System (LMS) - MyPLTW.org

The LMS is developed by PLTW to organize all curriculum documents: presentations, resources, and assignments.  This will be our main learning management system except when the features of shared google documents make google classroom the smarter tool to utilize.  Only students enrolled in the class are able to log in to the LMS.  The curriculum is proprietary and may not be shared or posted publicly on the web.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM:  classroom.google.com   code: getij9g
This is a platform to simplify creating, distributing, and grading certain assignments and announcements.  Only students enrolled in the class are able to see the classroom, but parents and guardians can receive email updates.

GRADE PORTALS:  attend.medwayschools.org/MMSGB/parent/ and .../student/ 
All assessments will appear on the portal in a timely manner to provide an up to date view of your progress in the course.  Items that are blank or listed as “NO GRD” have not been graded and do not affect the grade, but items that are listed as “MIS” in red are indeed missing and count as a zero until submitted.

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

DAILY VIEW:  Once the bell rings, you are to begin the Daily View, an activity that is on the board at the beginning of every class.  We’ll preview the material and activity at the beginning of class and review at the end of class.  Sometimes this will be collected, otherwise it should stay chronologically in your engineering notebook.

TARDIES:  Be here.  Be on time.  Nothing replaces time spent in class learning with your classmates.  Class begins with the Daily View when the bell rings.  Sign in near the door if late.  Corrective action will be taken if this is an issue.

PERSONAL TECH:  You may utilize laptops, tablets, or smartphones when appropriate in the classroom.  Any device used inappropriately or without permission will be confiscated as per the MHS Student Handbook.  I reserve the right to determine when and what is and is not appropriate use.  Ask if unsure.  

MAKE-UP WORK:  Write “ABSENT” on top.  It is always the student’s responsibility to check Google Classroom or the LMS for updated assignments and announcements.  As per the MHS Student Handbook, “the time allowed to complete work is equal to the number of days absent."  Students should talk to me to reschedule tests or quizzes.  

LATE WORK:  Write “LATE” and the date on top.  Work not turned in when collected is late and will appear as MIS on the grade portal and count as a zero until turned in.  Both Google Classroom and the LMS will mark assignments late based on the time of submission which is typically 11:59pm on the day it is due unless otherwise specified.  If turned in, most assignments will lose 10% each school day they are late up to 50%.  No work will be accepted once quarter grades close.

DIGITAL HOMEWORK:  When homework requires internet access, it is the student’s responsibility to plan ahead.  Computers are available in my room and the library before school, after school, and during study halls in the library or computer lab.  See me with any concerns.

EXTRA HELP:  Thursdays I will be available for help sessions after school.  Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays I often have meetings, but if I’m here, I’m happy to help.  DO NOT WAIT until the day before a test to ask for help! It may take only a few minutes here and there to get back on the right track.  The Academic Success Center is also available most periods during most study halls.  Don’t underestimate the power of study buddies or groups.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment is an integral part of the learning process.  Your grade is a reflection of your current knowledge and skills.  The grade is balanced between 4 types of assessment:

Q1:  Marble Sorter                                  Q3: Bridge

Q2:  Compound Machine                        Q4: Projectile Launcher

Pacing depends, at times, on the progress of the students.  In the event that no major project or design problem falls within a quarter, then the engineering notebooks will be held to 20%, and the activities and knowledge & skills categories will each be weighted 15% more.