Guilderland High School Technology Education is partnering with Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a national, non-profit organization, in order to offer a sequence of pre-engineering courses for Guilderland High School students. Our program has gone through the certification process and is now a nationally recognized pre-engineering program. Design and Drawing for Production is the prerequisite course for all PLTW courses, but once completed students can take any of the other courses in any order. Students have the opportunity to earn Rochester Institute of Technology college credit through these courses.
PLTW courses make math and science relevant for students. By engaging in hands-on, real-world projects, students apply the skills they are learning in the classroom to everyday life. Students develop collaborative problem-solving skills while preparing for post-high school programs in technology and engineering. For more information see the PLTW website: www.plt.org
7632 Design and Drawing for Production (PLTW)
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
40 weeks
Exam: PLTW Exam (w/fee)
Offering: Full year
Prerequisites: None
Reading Level: Average
This course stimulates students’ understanding of the design process through challenges to develop creative solutions to project based problems. Develop skills in 3-D sketching, computer aided drafting (CAD), modeling, technical design, and production. Learn to use hand and power tools while producing prototypes of your designs. This hands-on course fulfills the one-unit Art/Music requirement for graduation. Students have the opportunity to earn three RIT college credits (CASTPLTW-101-88). Exam cost is $200.
7633 Design and Drawing for Production (Non-PLTW)
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
40 weeks
Exam: Local Exam
Offering: Full year
Prerequisites: None
Reading Level: Average
Design and Drawing Non-Project Lead the Way is a pre-engineering course that is tailored to students that are interested in computer aided design but require a slower pace of instruction. Many of the PLTW topics will be taught but there is more of a focus on the NYS DDP curriculum. Students will develop skills in 3-D sketching, computer aided drafting (CAD), modeling, technical design, and production. They will learn to use hand and power tools while producing prototypes of their designs. This hands-on course fulfills the one-unit Art/ Music requirement for graduation.
7642 Civil Engineering and Architecture (PLTW)
Grade: 10, 11, 12
40 weeks
Exam: PLTW Exam (w/fee)
Offering: Full year
Prerequisites: DDP and Algebra 1
Reading Level: Average
This course introduces students to civil engineering and architecture problem-solving processes. Students use state-of-the-art software to solve real-world problems and communicate solutions. Through hands-on projects and activities, students develop project planning, site planning, and building design skills. Students have the opportunity to earn three RIT college credits (CAST-PLTW-104-88). Exam cost is $200.
7592 Principles of Engineering (PLTW)
Grade: 11, 12
40 weeks
Exam: PLTW Exam (w/fee)
Offering: Full year
Prerequisites: DDP, Algebra 2 or Geometry, Regents Science
Reading Level: Average
Students explore the wide variety of careers in engineering and technology. They explore various technology systems and processes. Using activities, projects and problems, students learn first hand how engineers and technicians use math, science and technology in an engineering problem solving process to benefit people. The course also addresses concerns about social and political consequences of technological change. Students have the opportunity to earn three RIT college credits (CAST-PLTW-102-88). Exam cost is $200.
7452 Digital Electronics (PLTW)
Grade: 11, 12
40 weeks
Exam: PLTW Exam (w/fee)
Offering: Full year
Prerequisites: DDP, Algebra 2 or Geometry, Regents Science
Reading Level: Average
Digital electronics are the foundation of all modern electronic devices such as cellular phones, MP3 players, laptop computers, digital cameras and high-definition televisions. The major focus of this course is to expose students to the process of combinational and sequential logic design, teamwork, communication methods, engineering standards and technical documentation. Students will be involved in hands-on lab work and will be building circuits. One of the projects students will be involved with centers on the programming of robots. Students have the opportunity to earn three RIT college credits (CAST-PLTW-103-88). Exam cost is $200.
7552 Technical Drawing
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
20 weeks
Exam: Local
Offering: One semester
Prerequisites: None
Reading Level: Average
Drawings are prepared and used as a form of nonverbal communication between the designer and builder of a product. Drawings show shape, size, location, and how to get from one place to another. Depending on the particular function, the drawings may be engineering drawings, blueprints, shop sketches, trade sketches, maps or specification sheets; however, they are all intended to communicate through universal language. Students in this course gain experience with drawing and sketching in several modes. Students work with different CAD applications that serve varying design purposes.
7402 Manufacturing System
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
20 weeks
Exam: Local Offering: One semester
Prerequisites: None
Reading Level: Average
Students explore the concepts of custom and mass production as they form a manufacturing company. Departments, including research and development, finance, marketing, human resources, and production work together to design, manufacture, and sell one or more products. Students study current manufacturing techniques as a supplement to handson product development, market research, advertising, and production.
7442 Advanced Manufacturing
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
20 weeks
Exam: Local
Offering: One semester
Prerequisites: Manufacturing Systems
Reading Level: Average
This course is for students who want to continue their study of manufacturing and production processes and have an interest in developing their woodworking skills. More emphasis will be placed on the manufacturing of a student designed project created on the computer and put into production in the wood shop. New areas will include computer aided drawing, introduction of advanced machines, as well as customized part making and assembly procedures.
7532 Introduction to Electricity
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
20 weeks
Exam: Local
Offering: One semester
Prerequisites: None
Reading Level: Average
Exploring the entire field of electricity, students study the nature of electricity, basic circuits and laws, instrumentation, and power systems. Gain hands-on experience with wiring techniques while learning electrical principles. Students build and test various circuits common to building construction.
7542 Advanced Electricity
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
20 weeks
Exam: Local
Offering: One Semester
Prerequisites: Introduction to Electricity
Reading Level: Average
This course is for students who want to continue their study of electricity and electronics . Students will explore additional possibilities with electrical wiring including multi-phase electrical systems, 240 volt wiring and testing, low voltage systems and wiring, circuit analysis and troubleshooting, circuit design and recalling information from the Introduction to Electricity course. Students will be exposed to actual wiring scenarios, will be required to create technical drawings, use a hands-on approach to create the circuits, and use testing devices to check their work. Newer electrical technology and tools will also be explored.
7663 Digital Photography 1
Grade: 10, 11, 12*
20 weeks
Exam: Local
Offering: Both semesters
Prerequisites: None
Reading Level: Average
* Preference first to students in grade 12, then to students in grade 11, last to students in grade 10
This course will introduce students to the elements of photographic composition, SLR camera functions, various natural lighting techniques, and general traditional and digital photography techniques. Students will use Photoshop to touch up, enhance, collage, manipulate and create original and existing photographic images into professional compositions. Students will be encouraged to experiment, collaborate and design photographs through project based learning. They will shoot, analyze, reflect and critique their photographs individually and as a group. Students will mat some of their best and larger format prints for displaying and showings. Students will be required to compose and maintain a quality photographic binder of individual works. It is recommended that each student have his or her own digital camera, although it is not required. A $25 lab fee is required to cover expenses associated with printing.
7763 Digital Photography 2
Grade: 10, 11, 12*
20 weeks
Exam: Local
Offering: Spring semester
Prereq: Digital Photog. 1
Reading Level: Average
* Preference first to students in grade 12, then to students in grade 11, last to students in grade 10
This course is designed for students who are motivated and inspired to pursue digital photography. Students will explore further studies in composition, lighting techniques, and other related topics. Students will be encouraged to refine their camera and software editing skills. Students will design and develop a quality portfolio of works with an emphasis on presentation techniques. It is recommended that each student have his or her own camera. A $25 lab fee is required to cover expenses associated with printing.