Essential Questions

• What is the difference between static and current electricity?

• What purpose does an electrolyte serve? Why were copper and zinc strips used in the demonstration of static and current electricity? Consider their placement on the periodic table; explain why they were used.

• How can it be determined if an element will conduct electricity?

• What affects the demand for electronics related jobs the most?

• When a bulb is disconnected in a series and parallel circuit, what happens to the remaining bulb(s)? Why?

• What are some real world uses for series and parallel circuits?

• What happens when the switch is opened in a series circuit? Closed?

• Why is the tolerance band on a resistor so important?

• Why are the resistor bands color coded?

• Does the size of the resistors make a difference in proving Ohm’s Law?

• When a larger voltage is applied to a conductor, does the current increase or decrease?

• What is the difference between a transistor being used as a switch and as an amplifier?

• What are semiconductors used for?

• Why are good soldering joints important in the fabrication of a printed circuit board?

• Can a bad soldering joint be undone? If so, how?

• What does a transistor component do?

• Why are binary numbers used to represent inputs and outputs?

Project Lead The Way
We are proud that we continue to meet our objectives which are to:

• Increase the number of young people who pursue Engineering and Engineering Technology programs requiring a two or four year college degree.

• Provide clear standards and expectations for student success in the program.

• Provide leadership and support that will produce continuous improvement and innovation in the program.

• Provide equitable and inclusive opportunities for all academically qualified students.

• Reduce the future college attrition rates within four and two year Engineering and Engineering Technology degree programs.

• Contribute to the continuance of America's national prosperity.

Mathematics
MA1.0 Students develop number sense and use numbers and number relationships in problem-solving situations and communicate the reasoning used in solving these problems.
MA1.1 demonstrate meanings for real numbers, absolute value, and scientific notation using physical materials and technology in problem-solving situations
MA1.2 develop, test, and explain conjectures about properties of number systems and sets of numbers
MA1.3 use number sense to estimate and justify the reasonableness of solutions to problems involving real numbers
MA2.0 Students use algebraic methods to explore, model, and describe patterns and functions involving numbers, shapes, data, and graphs in problem-solving situations and communicate the reasoning used in solving these problems.
MA2.1 model real-world phenomena (for example, distance-versus-time relationships, compound interest, amortization tables, mortality rates) using functions, equations, inequalities, and matrices
MA2.2 represent functional relationships using written explanations, tables, equations, and graphs, and describing the connections among these representations
MA2.3 solve problems involving functional relationships using graphing calculators and/or computers as well as appropriate paper-and-pencil techniques
MA3.0 Students use data collection and analysis, statistics and probability in problem-solving situations and communicate the reasoning used in solving these problems.
MA3.1 design and conduct a statistical experiment to study a problem, and interpreting and communicating the results using the appropriate technology (e.g. graphing calculators, computer software).
MA3.4 draw conclusions about distributions of data based on analysis of statistical summaries (e.g. the combination of mean and standard deviation, and differences between the mean and median
MA5.2 select and use appropriate techniques and tools to measure quantities in order to achieve specified degrees of precision, accuracy, and error or tolerance of measurements
MA6.0 Students link concepts and procedures as they develop and use computational techniques, including estimation, mental arithmetic, paper-and-pencil, calculators, and computers in problem-solving situations and communicate the reasoning used to solve.
MA6.1 use ratios, proportions, percents in problem-solving situations
MA6.2 select and use appropriate methods for computing with real numbers in problem-solving situations from among mental arithmetic, estimation, paper-and-pencil, calculator, and computer methods, and determining whether the results are reasonable
MA6.3 describe the limitations of estimation, and assess the amount of error resulting from estimation within acceptable limits

Reading Writing
RW1.0 Students read and understand a variety of materials.
RW1.1 use a full range of strategies to comprehend materials such as technical writing, newspapers, magazines, poetry, short stories, plays, novels, essays, speeches, autobiographies, and first-person historical documents.
RW4.0 Students apply thinking skills to their reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing.
RW4.2 use reading, writing, listening, articulate speaking, and viewing to solve problems
RW5.0  Students read to locate, select, and make use of relevant information form a variety of media, reference, and technological sources.
RW5.5 use available technology to access information, conduct research, and produce a carefully documented product

Workforce Communication
COM1.0 Demonstrates the ability to receive and relay information clearly and effectively.
COM1.1 listening-receives attends to, understands and responds to verbal and non-verbal messages.
COM1.2 speaking-clearly organizes and effectively presents ideas orally
COM1.3 reading-locates, understands and interprets written information in prose and documents to perform tasks
COM1.4 writing-organizes and effectively presents ideas and information in writing
COM1.5 interpreting-delineates and analyzes oral and written information and synthesizes information into a conclusion
COM1.6 negotiating-works toward agreement while maintaining position
COM1.7 persuading-communicates ideas to justify position, overcome resistance and convince others

Workforce Organization
ORG2.1 planning-devising and outlining a process to achieve a goal and timeline
ORG2.2 time management-applies appropriate time to task and manages multiple priorities
ORG2.3 using resources-identifies, organizes, plans and allocates resources
ORG2.4 systems thinking-understands the nature of systems, develops and adapts systems to meet organizational needs
ORG2.5 evaluating-collects, evaluates and uses data to monitor and improve performance

Workforce Technical Skill
TECH5.1 demonstrates computer literacy-uses key boarding skills, computer programs, and understands basic computer operations

Workforce Thinking Skills
TS3.0 demonstrates the ability to use reasoning
TS3.1 problem solving-identifies and recognizes a problem, considers alternatives, devises and implements a logical plan of action
TS3.2 decision making-uses a process to identify goals and constraints, evaluate alternatives and reach a conclusion
TS3.3 creative thinking-generates new and innovative ideas
TS3.4 learning-uses efficient techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills
TS3.5 analyzing-identifies bias of information sources, evaluates contradictory information and effectively manages information

Workforce Quality
WQ4.2 team member-contributes to group effort through cooperation and consensus
WQ4.3 responsibility-follows through consistently with honesty and integrity
WQ4.4 flexibility-shows versatility and the ability to change
WQ4.5 leadership-creates a direction/vision for others to follow, aligns management methods with vision and implements a system of accountability
WQ4.6 works with diversity-accepts differences and works well with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and/or with divergent philosophies or ideas

District 11 Diamond Units/Lessons Overview - includes information about the purpose, goals and structure of these sample instructional units: