Class Information

Computer Fundamentals (6th Grade)
This is part of the 6th grade rotational electives and is only a quarter long. Each group of students will rotate with their class to a new elective each quarter. Each class will rotate through Introductory Band, Choir, Art, Computer Fundamentals and/or Leadership. There are five different subjects and if you choose to do the rotational elective you will only receive four of the five at random. More information can be found in the<Link to Class Syllabus>.

7th and 8th grade: Each PLTW elective choice is a semester long but will pivot to the new topic at the quarter date. For example, if your student is interested in taking Medical Detectives it will only be a quarter long and then switch over to Flight and Space at the quarter date. All of the students stay with me as their teacher for the entire semester. For more information about the PLTW curriculum in general please CLICK HERE or email me. Below is a brief overview of each class:

PLTW Medical Detectives & Flight and Space (7th and 8th Grade)
Medical Detectives: Students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they collect and analyze medical data to diagnose disease. They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, examine nervous system structure and function, and investigate disease outbreaks.
Flight and Space: The exciting world of aerospace comes alive through the Flight and Space (FS) unit. Students become engineers as they design, prototype, and test models to learn about the science of flight and what it takes to travel and live in space. They solve real-world aviation and space challenges and plan a mission to Mars.
<Link to Class Syllabus>.

PLTW Energy and the Environment & Green Architecture (7th and 8th Grade)
Energy and the Environment: Students are challenged to think big and toward the future as they explore sustainable solutions to our energy needs and investigate the impact of energy on our lives and the world. They design and model alternative energy sources and evaluate options for reducing energy consumption.
Green Architecture: Today’s students have grown up in an age of “green” choices. In this unit, students learn how to apply this concept to the fields of architecture and construction by exploring dimensioning, measuring, and architectural sustainability as they design affordable housing units using Autodesk’s® 3D architectural design software.
<Link to Class Syllabus>.

PLTW Design and Modeling & Automation and Robotics (7th and 8th Grade)
Design and Modeling: Students discover the design process and develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They are then challenged and empowered to use and apply what they’ve learned throughout the unit to design a therapeutic toy for a child who has cerebral palsy.
Automation and Robotics: Students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students use the VEX Robotics® platform to design, build, and program real-world objects such as traffic lights, toll booths, and robotic arms.
<Link to Class Syllabus>.

Maple View Middle School

Class Information