Ferguson Junior High School > Electives > Technology

Saturday, November 21, 2009

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Introduction to Technology

Karen Van Zandt, Teacher

I was born and raised in the DFW area and am proud to be a Native Texan. I am married, have three married daughters, and four grandchildren. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from UTA in Social Work and my Master of Education Degree from Texas Women’s University in Denton.

I have taught 4^th, 6^th, and 8^th grade. This is my 31^st year to teach. I’ve been at Ferguson since it opened. I love teaching this computer class because it is exciting to see the students light up when they get something to work or complete a hard project! The students love the “hands on” approach and independent learning style. Also it is relevant to today’s technological world and some careers of tomorrow.

Ferguson Students Launch for the Sky

8th graders designed, built, and launched their water-bottle rockets from the Rocket Science module. 1st place - Lindsey M. 158 meters; 2nd place - Shannon J. 142 meters; 3rd place - Elizabeth R. 128 meters.

Introduction to Technology Lab

The Ferguson Jr. High Technology Lab is set up by Synergistic Systems, Inc. The curriculum is based on self-directed learning in a modular setting. Students usually work in pairs at a module for 7 days. After each rotation, the students will move to a different module.

Grades in the Technology Lab are based on a point system. Each day the student receives points for different activities. Daily attendance and participation earn 20 points a day. RCAs (research, challenge, and application questions) on days 2,3,4,& 5 are worth 30 points a day. A post test on day 7 is worth 100 points. The student's grade is determined by the number of points earned. Students may earn extra points by doing "extra credit" (located at every module).

Another grade is taken on a Career Investigation. The students must look up a career that is listed in that module. They write information about that career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook. A second career investigation may be done for extra credit. The extra credit Career Investigation may be a career of their interest.

*** Students need to make arrangements to come in BEFORE or AFTER school to complete any work they may have missed due to an absence. It is essential that students make up their work in the lab. ***

The modules offered are listed below:

Practical Skills	Entrepreneurship	Body Systems
Electronics	Personal Finance	CADD
Robots	Engineering Towers	Digital Design
Life Skills	Environmental Issues	Graphics & Animation
Rocket Science

Links

Synergistic Learning Systems

All links to other Web sites from this site have been pre-screened and assessed for appropriate content. However, the Arlington Independent School District and Ferguson Jr. High do not assume and are not responsible for any liability and cannot guarantee that quality content standards will be maintained at these linked Web sites. Please notify the webmaster immediately if these sites display inappropriate content.

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