What is "Magic of Electrons?"

Through hands-on projects, students explore electricity, the behavior and parts of atoms, and sensing devices. They learn knowledge and skills in basic circuitry design, and examine the impact of electricity on the world around them.

Course Outline

Unit 1

   1.1 What is Engineering

In this lesson students will learn about the STEM careers and how they impact the past, present, and future.

   1.2 Design Process

This lesson focuses on the tools that engineers use to solve problems. Students will study the Design Process and will use it to guide their actions. In this lesson students will be introduced to the idea that there are many design processes and no single design process is better or more useful than another. They will learn that the selected design process will be built upon in the high school Pathway to Engineering courses. Students will encounter each step in more detail as they gain knowledge and experience throughout the course.

Unit 6

6.1 What is Electricity

This lesson is an introduction to basic electricity. It is assumed that students have no prior exposure to the concepts addressed. The power provided through electricity is a part of their everyday lives, but they may or may not have considered where it comes from, why it works or how it is produced and transmitted. Few students could imagine life without it. They might consider something like a camping trip to be life without electricity. Upon further investigation, though, they would discover the role of electricity in preparing for the trip and in the materials they might pack. Following this lesson, students will learn about some basic electronic components and digital electronics.

6.2 Electronics

This lesson is an overview and introduction to basic electronics and circuits with a focus on some of the most basic devices and their functions. Students will be introduced to electrical circuit diagrams and asked to create them. In this lesson students will observe how the electron flow merges with technology through electronic circuits. Almost any device that uses electricity can be broken down into basic electronic circuits and the electronic devices in those circuits.

6.3 Digital Electronics

This lesson introduces students to the digital world of cell phones, computers, MP3 devices, and many other modern conveniences that rely on binary numbers, the 0s and 1s of the digital realm to function. This is an exciting field for students to consider because it is ever-changing. An understanding of the components and their functions opens the door for limitless creative ideas to design improved devices that can entertain or save lives.