7TH GRADE: ENGINEERING DESIGN
Instructor: Durgesh Chandel
Teaching Assistants: Lumisa Bista, Ahmad Zakka
This course introduces the engineering design process, tools, and techniques preparing students for higher-level STEM education. Design examples from different fields of engineering such as aerospace, civil, biomedical, etc., are presented to demonstrate key aspects of engineering design. Students participate in class discussion, brainstorming and peer-feedback, and demonstrate their learning via practice problems. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Get a fundamental understanding of various engineering fields.
- Describe different steps of the engineering design process.
- Approach a given design problem in logical steps and present a preliminary solution.
- Analyze, evaluate, and improvise a design.
- Understand the relevance of engineering design to real-world problems.
Classroom activities are designed to foster technical and soft skills such as independent thinking, communication, teamwork, perseverance, etc. Active learning techniques such as think-pair-share, working in random groups, bonus points activities, etc. are used to make the learning process interactive and enjoyable. The final project facilitates students’ learning and growth on the skills developed throughout the semester.
8TH GRADE: ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Instructor: Candice Brown
Teaching Assistant: Drazen Medina, Matthew Ung
This course will be an introduction to environmental management topics. Students will learn about various environmental problems and the engineering methods used to control them. Environmental management often highlights negative things such as pollution, but there are also positive ways in which we use technology to help manage our environment. The course will also include a group term project where students will be tasked with performing an environmental risk assessment.
9TH GRADE: URBAN PLANNING & ARCHITECTURE
Instructor: Tiandra Ray
Teaching Assistants: Cheetiri Smith, Charlene Xia
In this course, students will step into the shoes of Urban Planners to design for the future of the Boston/Cambridge area. The class as a whole will do research into the current state of our neighborhoods and public spaces, and gather information on how the landscape of these neighborhoods might change in the coming decades. Taking on both the role of designer and engineer, students will brainstorm, design, and prototype environmental interventions for under-utilized public spaces – which will take into account both our cultural and technological present and future.
10TH GRADE: ROBOTICS
Instructor(s): Matthew Boyd, Luca Carlone
Teaching Assistant(s): Jacob Rodriguez, Naomi Schurr, Joseph Morales
This course provides an introduction to robotics through the programming of an autonomous robot in simulation! Our goal is to demystify robotics, sensors, and perception so students can inform and educate their community, be inspired to work in robotics, and have some fun!
11TH GRADE: BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
Instructor: Victor Ekuta
Teaching Assistant(s): Joyce Lin, Mercedes Moore
The 11th Grade Biological Engineering Project Course is an interdisciplinary course that introduces students to the major laboratory tools and techniques used in the field of Bioengineering. In addition, in collaboration with Biogen and MIT-Lemelson, students are exposed to key aspects of Biotechnology and Invention through core modules in Biotech and Alzheimer’s Disease, Careers in Biotech, Climate Change, and Biotech Invention. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and the course includes a final project where students collaborate with their peers to devise a biotechnology invention or innovation designed to solve a practical biological and/or medical problem.
12TH GRADE: ENGINEERING DESIGN
Instructor: Andres Velarde
Teaching Assistant(s): Xamier Ferran, Davian Rodriguez
The purpose of Engineering Design is to introduce students to design-thinking frameworks that will enable them to transform new ideas into tangible or actionable solutions for real-world problems. Last semester, students used adaptive design practices to develop compelling solutions to problems they faced or realized in their own lives and communities. They considered complex issues such as mental health, food accessibility, public transportation, & systemic racism.
This semester, students will strengthen their skills in self-reflection, delivering & receiving feedback, dealing with failure, building strong social and professional communities, personal narrative, and more. Areas of active reflection include: memorable learning moments; personal and academic achievements; and successes and failures. In order to help students reflect on their future outcomes, various guest speakers will be joining our class this semester – to share their stories, insights, and wisdom. Guests are TBD based on calendar availability, but may include:
- a software engineer from Uber (MS degree)
- a tech recruiter from Microsoft (MS degree)
- a graphics designer from Converse (BFA degree)