Engineering

St. Thomas More High School offers an award-winning Engineering program that focuses on engineering with an emphasis in math and science. The four-year program, when combined with college preparatory math and science courses, introduces students to the scope, rigor, and discipline of Engineering and Engineering Technology. PLTW’s curriculum makes math and science relevant for students. By engaging in hands-on, real-world projects, students understand how the skills they are learning in the classroom can be applied in everyday life.

Students will:

Become proficient in problem-solving, managing time and resources, researching, and data collection and analysis
Learn to look beyond the classroom for answers
Work as a contributing member and a leader of a team
Perfect their presentation skills
Use appropriate written and visual mediums to communicate with a variety of audiences

Introduction to Engineering Design

Grades 9, 10, or 11 – 1.0 credit (Elective)
Requisite: concurrent enrollment in college preparatory mathematics and science classes.
Note: This is not a weighted course.

This course emphasizes the development of a design. Students use computer software to produce, analyze, and evaluate models of project solutions. They study the design concepts of form and function and use state-of-the-art technology to translate conceptual design into reproducible products. College credit is available upon passing the IED end of course exam.
Residential Architecture

Grades 10, 11 and 12 – 0.5 credit (Elective)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of IED with a grade of C or better and instructor approval.
Note: This is a not weighted course.

Students work individually and in teams, explore hands-on projects and activities, and learn about residential property design and development. Students use Revit, a 3D design software, to help them create and revise their ideas. Additionally, students will learn how to document their work, build representative models, and effectively communicate to peers and industry professionals. The End-of-Course exam is an after-school science-fair style presentation of a fully realized project to staff, peers, parents, and invited guests.
Commercial Architecture

Grades 10, 11 and 12 – 0.5 credit (Elective)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of IED with a grade of C or better and instructor approval.
Note: This is a not weighted course.

Students work individually and in teams, explore hands-on projects and activities, and learn about commercial property design and development. Students use Revit, a 3D design software, to help them create and revise their ideas. Additionally, students will learn how to document their work, build representative models, and effectively communicate to peers and industry professionals. The End-of-Course exam is an after-school science-fair style presentation of a fully realized project to staff, peers, parents, and invited guests.
Civil Engineering and Architecture

Grades 11 and 12 – 1.0 credit (Elective)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of IED with a grade of C or better and instructor approval.
Note: This is a not weighted course.

Students work in teams, explore hands-on projects and activities, and learn about residential and commercial property development. Students use Revit, a 3D design software, to help them engineer solutions. Additionally, students will learn how to document their work, solve complex problems and effectively communicate to peers and industry professionals. College credit is available upon passing the CEA end of course exam.
Principles of Engineering

Grades 10,11 or 12 – 1.0 credit (Elective)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of EES with a grade of C or better and instructor approval.
Note: This is a weighted course.

This course explores the mechanics of building and testing solutions to open-ended design problems. Students get an overview of the high level of engineering concepts of energy source and applications, machine systems, strength and durability of materials, and understanding the movement of objects. Students have an opportunity to explore engineering and high-tech careers. College credit is available upon passing the POE end of course exam.
S.M.A.R.T. Manufacturing 1.0

Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 – 0.5 credit

Did you ever wonder how machines work? In this S.M.A.R.T. (Skills Boss, Mechatronics, Automation, Robotics, Tools) course, students will create products using a variety of machines by rotating through the following units: turning, milling, CNC, cutting, automation, mechatronics, and 3-D printing. Students will have the opportunity to program an industrial digital computer to control a robot. Students will also learn how modernized manufacturing enables “SMART Factories” that share data between machines to facilitate “shop floor analytics” for efficient troubleshooting and better decision making. Students will have the opportunity to earn an industry credential recognizing their ability to troubleshoot issues that may arise with the operation of both manual and automated machines. After the successful completion of this course, our students will have an understanding of the disciplines that underpin industrial success and can receive a Certified Production Technician (CPT) ® certification. This is an internationally recognized certification that recognizes students who demonstrate mastery of the core competencies of advanced manufacturing production.
S.M.A.R.T. Manufacturing 2.0

Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 – 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: Passing grade in SMART Manufacturing 1.0

In this S.M.A.R.T. (Safety, Mechatronics, Automation, Robotics, Tools) 2.0 course, students will learn Manufacturing Processes & Production, Additional CPT Training, Advanced Shopbot Desktop CNC, Hands on Robotics, Hands on Skill Boss Mechatronics, Additional Automation Sensors, Advanced Laser Engraving, Excelled 3D Design, and MakerBot 3D printing. Students will also learn about modernized manufacturing. Students will have the opportunity to earn an industry credential recognizing their ability to work with Industry 4.0 Technologies and Manufacturing Processes & Production. After the successful completion of this course, students will have an understanding of the disciplines that underpin Industrial 4.0 success and can receive a Certified Production Technician (CPT) ® Manufacturing Processes & Production Certification. This is an internationally recognized certification for students who demonstrate mastery of the core competencies of Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing production.
Engineering Design and Development

Grade 12 – 1.0 credit (Elective)
Prerequisite: For the class of 2020, successful completion of EES with a C or better and instructor approval. For the class of 2021 and beyond, successful completion of IED and CEA or POE with a C or better and instructor approval.
Note: This is a weighted course.

In this course students apply what they have learned in academic and engineering courses as they complete challenging, self-directed projects. Students work in teams to design and build solutions to authentic engineering problems. Students keep journals of notes, sketches, mathematical calculations, and scientific research. Student teams make progress reports to their peers, mentor, and instructor and exchange constructive criticism and consultation. At the end of the course, teams present their research and defend their projects to a panel of engineers, business leaders, and engineering college educators for professional review and feedback. This course equips students with the independent study skills they will need in post-secondary education and careers in engineering and engineering technology.