By the end of this course sequence, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate skills and attributes toward their Panther Promise Project and showcase their collection of models and designs.  Students may earn badges during these courses, if mastery is achieved from the concepts and knowledge.  

In the 8th grade, students that display mastery with the Flight and Space course will have the opportunity to train with the Drone Pilot Ground School and practice for the FAA-Remote Pilot Certification.  

Opportunities will be promoted for students to participate in project-based internships with local officials and businesses to promote work-based learning.  These experiences shall be aligned with the career pathways, academies, and certifications offered at Southside Technical Center, Eastside Technical Center, Frederick Douglas High School, Bryan Station High School, and Tates Creek High School. 

These courses are a part of the Edythe J. Hayes Middle School, Southside Technical Center, Frederick Douglass High School and University of Kentucky College of Engineering 6-12 pipeline for engineering careers.

Course Description

Students will discover the design process and learn methods for communicating design ideas effectively with and without the use of technology.  Through sketches, solid models, and mathematical models, students will understand how these representations can be authentic leading into a prototype for further analysis.  Using a computer-aided design (CAD) program such as Tinkercad, students will develop 3D models to design solutions based on criteria requirements. Using the design process, students create 2D and 3D models of their design and build a prototype for design testing. Other themes that may be incorporated into this course include: Therapeutic Toy Design Challenge or Prosthetics through a cloud-based virtual modeling STEM application.  

The Panther Promise Project will be discussed and how it relates to the attributes of Learn Daily, Laugh Often, Lead Respectfully, and Live Responsibly.

Academic Standards

Next Generation Science Standards - NGSS

Concepts are related to Middle School (MS) levels

Engineering Design

• MS-ETS 1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
• MS-ETS 1-2 Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

Kentucky Academic Standards (Mathematics)

Concepts are related to Middle School (MS) levels (grades 6,7, and 8)

Expressions and Equations 

• (6) Represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables. 

Geometry 

• (7) Draw, construct and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them. 
• (8) Understand congruence and similarity using physical models, transparencies, or geometry software.

Statistics and Probability 

• (6) Develop understanding of the process of statistical reasoning.

Approaches to Learning Skills

Communication, Information, and Productivity

• Technology is used to communicate in a variety of ways.
• Productivity tools are used effectively and efficiently to accomplish a task.
• Use online collaboration and interactive projects to communicate with professionals. 
• Use a variety of electronic formats to summarize and communicate results.
• Construct and publish information in printed and digital formats for authentic audiences. 

Safety and Ethical / Social Issues 

• Collaborative and interactive projects use technology to enhance learning. 
• Use legal and ethical practices when completing digital projects / credit participants. 
• Use proper social etiquette with any technology while collaborating with peers, experts, and others.
• Use technology to engage in interactive projects in the classroom. 
• Engage technology to support learning

Research, Inquiry / Problem-Solving and Innovation 

• Technology supports creative thinking and implementation of new ideas to reach goals. 
• Technology supports critical thinking skills used in inquiry/problem solving to make informed decisions. 
• Technology assists in researching, analyzing, and evaluating information obtained from a variety of sources to answer essential questions. 
• Technology is used to analyze real world data through inquiry/problem solving in order to produce results. 
• Technology problem solving strategies are applied to innovative design for authentic, creative and real-world applications. 
• Apply a research process model to conduct online research
• Organize information that is collected using a variety of tools. 
• Communicate results of research and learning with others using the most appropriate tools. 
• Manipulate data using charting tools and graphic organizers to connect ideas and organize information. 
• Use technology to solve problems using critical thinking and problem-solving strategies. 
• Explore how inquiry/problem solving impact science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 
• Collaborate with peers, experts and others to develop solutions and innovative products (e.g., design/CAD, models, systems).
• Describe how technological innovations often result when ideas, knowledge or skills are shared within a technology.

Course Description

Structures and Concepts - Students will continue with the design process and will communicate ideas of creativity with concepts in engineering.  An overview of 2D and 3D shapes/models will be included, along with Tinkercad 3D modeling. Our first unit will begin with the illustration of a city concept and designing a 3D model with roads, bridges, buildings, airports, train railways, and power plants.  Civil engineering concepts will be introduced to prepare students for mathematical and scientific principles along with open-concept models.  Students will have the opportunity to participate in a project-based internship with local engineers to promote work-based learning. All work and activities will be completed at school under the supervision of the teacher. 

An additional CAD program, known as Whitebox Learning will allow students to dive deeper into structures of bridges with our next unit.  Modeling through Whitebox Learning, students will engage with research, engineering concepts, analysis, outputs, and the build & test stage of their design of a bridge.  Concepts taught during this course will include: method of joints, stability, yield strength, compression, tension, and trigonometry. Building a foundation for Design & Innovations III, students will be introduced to Drones and their basic concepts with flight and space. Other themes that may be incorporated into this course include: Solar, Shelter, and Kidwind.  

Students will be encouraged to showcase their learning during this course and collect digital examples of their work into the Panther Promise Project.  Students may earn badges during this course, if mastery is achieved from the concepts and knowledge of Design & Innovations II.

Academic Standards

Next Generation Science Standards - NGSSS

Concepts are related to both Middle School (MS) and High School (HS) levels

Engineering Design

• MS-ETS 1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
• MS-ETS 1-2 Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
• MS-ETS 1-3 Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
• MS-ETS 1-4 Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
• HS-ETS 1-4 Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.

Motion and Stability | Forces and Interactions

• MS-PS-2-2 Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.

Kentucky Academic Standards (Mathematics)

Concepts are related to Middle School (MS) levels (grades 6,7, and 8)

Expressions and Equations 

• (6) Represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables. 
• (7) Solve real-life and mathematical problems using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations.
• (8) Understand the connections between proportional relationships, lines and linear equations.

Geometry 

• (7) Draw, construct and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them. 
• (8) Understand congruence and similarity using physical models, transparencies, or geometry software.
• (8) Understand and apply the Pythagorean Theorem.

Statistics and Probability 

• (6) Develop understanding of the process of statistical reasoning.

Approaches to Learning Skills

Communication, Information, and Productivity

• Technology is used to communicate in a variety of ways.
• Productivity tools are used effectively and efficiently to accomplish a task.
• Use online collaboration and interactive projects to communicate with professionals. 
• Use a variety of electronic formats to summarize and communicate results.
• Construct and publish information in printed and digital formats for authentic audiences. 

Safety and Ethical / Social Issues 

• Collaborative and interactive projects use technology to enhance learning. 
• Use legal and ethical practices when completing digital projects / credit participants. 
• Use proper social etiquette with any technology while collaborating with peers, experts, and others.
• Use technology to engage in interactive projects in the classroom. 
• Engage technology to support learning

Research, Inquiry / Problem-Solving and Innovation 

• Technology supports creative thinking and implementation of new ideas to reach goals. 
• Technology supports critical thinking skills used in inquiry/problem solving to make informed decisions. 
• Technology assists in researching, analyzing, and evaluating information obtained from a variety of sources to answer essential questions. 
• Technology is used to analyze real world data through inquiry/problem solving in order to produce results. 
• Technology problem solving strategies are applied to innovative design for authentic, creative and real-world applications. 
• Apply a research process model to conduct online research
• Organize information that is collected using a variety of tools. 
• Communicate results of research and learning with others using the most appropriate tools. 
• Manipulate data using charting tools and graphic organizers to connect ideas and organize information. 
• Use technology to solve problems using critical thinking and problem-solving strategies. 
• Explore how inquiry/problem solving impact science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 
• Collaborate with peers, experts and others to develop solutions and innovative products (e.g., design/CAD, models, systems).
• Describe how technological innovations often result when ideas, knowledge or skills are shared within a technology.

Course Description

Students will discover the science of flight and use aerodynamic concepts to explain how aircraft fly.  Through the engineering design process, students will design, prototype, and test models to solve real-world aviation and space challenges.  Starting with Drones, students will first engage with Whitebox Learning. Whitebox Learning will provide STEM and CAD applications to guide students through a realistic development process, followed by building a prototype for design testing with real concepts. After demonstrating successful models from their CAD program, students will build their first Drone.  Starting with the frame, they will add motors, propellers, a control board (with gimbal), and battery for flight.  Practice and mastery of flight will take place for students that demonstrate success with their build.  Students that display mastery will have the opportunity to train with the Drone Pilot Ground School and practice for the FAA-Remote Pilot Certification. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a project-based internship with local officials and businesses to promote work-based learning. All work and activities will be completed under the supervision of the teacher. 

Developing a 3D model in Tinkercad of a rocket to use in space will be the starting point for their next unit, a Mission to the Moon, as part of NASA’s Artemis program. A review of Whitebox Learning will be established for students to design and build a 3D prototype of an aircraft for space travel.  Students will design and build their own rocket to launch for testing and data collection. Students will also investigate how engineers play a vital role in space travel, space discovery, and living in space. Concepts taught during this course will include: forces of flight, thrust, stability, static margin, ballistics, recovery, and the principal axes (Yaw, Pitch, and Roll). 

Other themes that may be incorporated into this course include: Gliders, Rovers, and Mission to Mars. Students will demonstrate skills and attributes toward their Panther Promise Project and showcase their collection of models and designs.  Students may earn badges during this course, if mastery is achieved from the concepts and knowledge of Design & Innovations III.

Academic Standards

Next Generation Science Standards - NGSS

Concepts are related to both Middle School (MS) and High School (HS) levels

Engineering Design

• MS-ETS 1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
• MS-ETS 1-2 Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
• MS-ETS 1-3 Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
• MS-ETS 1-4 Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
• HS-ETS 1-4 Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.

Motion and Stability | Forces and Interactions

• MS-PS-2-1 Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.
• MS-PS-2-2 Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.
• HS-PS-2-1 Analyze data to support the claim that Newton’s second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.

Kentucky Academic Standards (Mathematics)

Concepts are related to Middle School (MS) levels (grades 6,7, and 8)

Expressions and Equations 

• (6) Represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables. 
• (7) Solve real-life and mathematical problems using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations.
• (8) Work with radicals and integer exponents.

Geometry 

• (6) Solve real world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area and volume.
• (7) Draw, construct and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them. 
• (7) Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area and volume.
• (8) Understand congruence and similarity using physical models, transparencies, or geometry software.

Ratio and Proportional Relationships

• (6) Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning.
• (7) Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real world and mathematical problems. 

Statistics and Probability 

• (6) Develop understanding of the process of statistical reasoning.

Approaches to Learning Skills

Communication, Information, and Productivity

• Technology is used to communicate in a variety of ways.
• Productivity tools are used effectively and efficiently to accomplish a task.
• Use online collaboration and interactive projects to communicate with professionals. 
• Use a variety of electronic formats to summarize and communicate results.
• Construct and publish information in printed and digital formats for authentic audiences. 

Safety and Ethical / Social Issues 

• Collaborative and interactive projects use technology to enhance learning. 
• Use legal and ethical practices when completing digital projects / credit participants. 
• Use proper social etiquette with any technology while collaborating with peers, experts, and others.
• Use technology to engage in interactive projects in the classroom. 
• Engage technology to support learning

Research, Inquiry / Problem-Solving and Innovation 

• Technology supports creative thinking and implementation of new ideas to reach goals. 
• Technology supports critical thinking skills used in inquiry/problem solving to make informed decisions. 
• Technology assists in researching, analyzing, and evaluating information obtained from a variety of sources to answer essential questions. 
• Technology is used to analyze real world data through inquiry/problem solving in order to produce results. 
• Technology problem solving strategies are applied to innovative design for authentic, creative and real-world applications. 
• Apply a research process model to conduct online research
• Organize information that is collected using a variety of tools. 
• Communicate results of research and learning with others using the most appropriate tools. 
• Manipulate data using charting tools and graphic organizers to connect ideas and organize information. 
• Use technology to solve problems using critical thinking and problem-solving strategies. 
• Explore how inquiry/problem solving impact science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 
• Collaborate with peers, experts and others to develop solutions and innovative products (e.g., design/CAD, models, systems).
• Describe how technological innovations often result when ideas, knowledge or skills are shared within a technology. 

• Bryan Station High School Academy of Information Technology
• Eastside Technical Center Information Technology Career Pathway
• Frederick Douglass High School Academy of Technology
• Southside Technical Center Pre-Engineering Career Pathway
• Southside Technical Center Advanced Integrated Manufacturing (AIM) Career Pathway
• Southside Technical CenterElectrical Career Pathway
• Southside Technical CenterElectronics Career Pathway
• Tates Creek High School Academy of Information Technology
• University of Kentucky College of Engineering

Part of a 6-12 College of Engineering Pipeline

• Coding Club
• Student Technology and Leadership Program
• Skills USA
• Vex Robotics Competitions