Welcome to Engineering Capstone
Engineering Design and Problem Solving
Welcome
Parents are a HUGE part of the educational journey. You should expect to get a newsletter from me summing up the activities of the period before as well as to notify you of upcoming projects. I also have a high school child and my child often tells me they didn't do anything at school. I am hoping with this newsletter, I can give you conversation starters for your students at home!
I would love to know more about your child. You can fill out a form here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyU-L1DCRMwvkgOQRUQZsnZ3PjHayjKkUuBmCk4N7RMiN1KA/viewform?usp=sf_link
What is the Capstone class?
Engineering Design and Problem Solving is the capstone course in the West High School engineering program. It is an engineering research course in which students work to design and develop an original solution to a valid open-ended technical problem by applying the engineering design process. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology.
Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based (APPB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students will perform research to choose, validate, and justify a technical problem. After carefully defining the problem, students will design, build, and test their solution. Finally, students will present and defend their original solution to an outside panel. While progressing through the engineering design process, students will work closely with a community mentor and experts and will continually hone their organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, their creative and problem solving abilities, and their understanding of the design process.
Engineering Design and Problem Solving is a high school level course that is appropriate for 12th grade students. Since the projects on which students work can vary with student interest and the curriculum focuses on problem solving, Capstone is appropriate for students who are interested in any technical career path. Capstone should be taken as the final capstone PLTW course since it requires application of the knowledge and skills from the PLTW foundation courses.
If your student loses their Capstone handbook, a digital version is located in Schoology under "Course Resources".
What is PLTW?
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we deliver PLTW programs to more than 11,500 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and all US Territories. PLTW schools can be found in rural, urban, and suburban districts; across all income levels; as well as in public, private, and charter schools.
PLTW’s success in preparing students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed has been recognized by colleges and universities, Fortune 500 businesses, and numerous national organizations including Change the Equation, the Social Impact Exchange, and more.
Why STEM?
The U.S. Department of Commerce shows that since 2015, STEM jobs have increased by 24.4% while non-STEM jobs have increased by 4% STEM jobs continue to be unfilled due to a lack of qualified applicants. STEM workers earn significantly more over their lifetime than their non-STEM counterparts (29% more than non-STEM workers). Those holding STEM degrees from college will earn 12% more regardless if they work in a STEM field or not.
However, STEM education is more than just a focus on these fields / areas of study. STEM initiatives foster 21st century skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, communication, and digital literacy, which are in high demand across all jobs in today’s global economy.
Data retrieved from http://www.esa.doc.gov/reports/stem-jobs-2017-update
Supplies Needed
3 ring binder of at least 1 1/2 inches
Engineering journal (must be bound). 4x4 quad composition notebook is recommended
Pencils
Erasers (white magic eraser is best)
Ruler (metal preferred)
Glue sticks or double sided tape
Colored pencils (for blueprint design or mapping systems)
Tanya Snook
DC Government teacher
WHS/WMS Robotics Teacher
TSA Sponsor
Email: tsnook@westisd.net
Website: thesnooknook.com
Location: 1008 Jerry Mashek Drive, West, TX, United States
Phone: (254) 981-2150
Twitter: @tanyapsnook