Technology and engineering are pervasive in all aspects of our lives. Every human activity is dependent upon the products, systems, and processes we have created to help us grow food, provide shelter, communicate, work, and recreate. As the world becomes more complex, it is increasingly important for everyone to become technologically and engineering literate. We need to understand technology’s impact on our lives, society, and the environment, as well as how to use and develop technological products, systems, and processes to extend human capabilities.
Students interested in specific technical training and careers should reference the Career & Technology Center section of this website.
Architectural Design
Grades 9/10/11/12, #TED055, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
This course provides students with hands-on opportunities to explore the built environment that surrounds them. Students will learn how to apply the design process that architects and designers use to plan the residential buildings that we live in and look at every day. Creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration are central components of this course. Activities and projects include observing different styles of houses, designing floor plans, using computer-aided design (CAD) software to develop virtual models, and constructing physical models with various tools and materials.
Design-Build 1
Grades 9/10/11/12, #TED020, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Students will gain a broad and conceptual understanding of technology with the use of tools and machines. Hands-on experiences will allow students to produce wood, metal, and plastic projects to be taken home with them. Every project will allow students to use new equipment. Students will gain specific technological understandings, such as human-centered design, applying the design process, optimizing a design, and the evolutionary nature of technology.
Design-Build 2
Grades 10/11/12, #TED021, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Prerequisite: Design-Build 1 (recommended minimum grade of 75%)
Project-based activities will be used to engage students in the technological design process. Students will learn new machines and processes, advancing from what they accomplished in Design-Build 1. Each project will deepen student understanding as they apply advanced skills and concepts, such as developing solutions to an open-ended problem, analyzing data through reverse engineering, studying technology transfer, and assessing the sustainability of resources.
Note: Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, Engineering Technology 1 & 2 and PLTW: Intro to Engineering Design will be integrated into Engineering Design 1 & 2.
Engineering Design 1
Grades 9/10/11/12, #TED031, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
(pending School Board approval)
This course provides students with hands-on opportunities to explore the intersection between engineering and design. Students will learn how to apply the design process that engineers and designers use to solve technological problems and develop the products that we use every day. Creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration are central components of this course. Activities and projects include brainstorming, sketching, using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and prototyping with anything from cardboard to 3D printing and laser cutting.
Engineering Design 2
Grades 10/11/12, #TED032, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Prerequisite: Engineering Design 1 (recommended minimum grade of 75%)
(pending School Board approval)
This course provides students with additional hands-on opportunities to explore the intersection between engineering and design. Building on the knowledge and skills learned in Engineering Design 1, students will continue to learn how to think like an engineer as they apply science and math to improve technologies. Activities and projects are similar to those of Engineering Design 1, with an increased emphasis on using computer-aided design (CAD) software and applying a design process to move a product from idea conception to marketplace availability.
Note: Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, Graphics 1 & 2 and Video Production 1, 2, 3, & 4, will be integrated into Digital Media Design, Interactive Media Design, and Applied Media Design.
Digital Media Design
Grades 9/10/11/12, #TED081, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
(pending School Board approval)
This course will explore the principles elements of design by bringing together creativity, artistic expression, and technology to explore the different areas of static media. If you want to learn about capturing the perfect moment on a camera, design unique and creative illustrations, or design incredible looking projects and presentations, this project-based course will be perfect for you! Be ready to build foundational skills in design while learning how to use industry-standard software like the Adobe Creative Suite.
Interactive Media Design
Grades 9/10/11/12, #TED082, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
(pending School Board approval)
This course will explore the foundational areas of interactive media through video and editing, animation, and web/app design. Explore your creativity and grow your potential to capture and edit video, create dynamic animations and gifs, and design eye-catching and effective layouts for websites and apps. Be prepared to use your creativity through interactive and collaborative projects using industry-standard software like the Adobe Creative Suite to share your projects with the world!
Applied Media Design
Grades 10/11/12, #TED083, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Prerequisite: Digital Media Design and Interactive Media Design (recommended minimum grade of 75%)
(pending School Board approval)
This course will help you grow your creative and technical skills by building upon the foundations laid in courses Digital Media Design and Interactive Media Design. This course is designed to challenge you to create compelling designs, eye-catching ads, and captivating video/animation content. You will have the opportunity to showcase your digital storytelling skills and collaborate with other students to actively contribute to the social and digital presence in our school community through the BlueStreak Newsfeed – Share your Story!
Transportation Technology
Grades 9/10/11/12, #TED012, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Students will design, build, and test transportation models that teach concepts of structure, energy efficiency, mechanical advantage, and system control. Design challenges will focus on creating working vehicle models to traverse land, air, water, and space environments. The question, “How does that work?” will be a driving force as you learn important relationships between math, science, technology, and engineering in transportation systems. Creative problem solving, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking will be developed as a result of the course activities.
Independent Technology Project
Grades 11/12, #TED61, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Prerequisites: Completion of all offered courses in the selected area of technology education for the project, and prior arrangements made with the teacher that will facilitate instruction for the planned independent technology project.
This course is for students who want to pursue an advanced, independent project in technology education. Students will be expected to keep a journal of activities and will be assessed against a variety of rubrics depending on their particular project. A final report and/or presentation of the student’s project will be required at the end of the term. Enrollment in this course can be repeated, as necessary, to continue or pursue a new technology education project.
project lead the way (PLTW)
From designing everyday products to constructing skyscrapers and launching space explorations, engineers find solutions to pressing problems and turn their ideas into reality. PLTW Engineering empowers students to step into the role of an engineer, adopt a problem-solving mindset, and make the leap from dreamers to doers. The PLTW courses engage students in compelling, real-world challenges that help them become better collaborators and thinkers. Students develop in-demand knowledge and skills they will use no matter what career path they choose.
The PLTW courses that MTHS offers carry a GPA weight of x1.05 and are affiliated with collegiate and university engineering programs that offer the potential for college credit and/or acceleration in specific college engineering programs.
Principles of Engineering
Grades 9/10/11/12, #TED072, 1 credit, weight 1.05, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Algebra 1 (recommended minimum grade of 75%)
Explore the many ways engineers improve the world through diverse engineering fields such as mechanical design, robotics, transportation system development, product engineering, energy and environmental sustainability, and materials and structural analysis. This project-based learning class will apply STEM concepts through the use of real world cutting-edge tools of robotics, 3-D modeling, control system programming, and prototype testing to improve our world through principles of engineering.
Note: For NCAA purposes only, this course meets the Science requirement.
Aerospace Engineering
Grades 10/11/12, #TED074, 1 credit, weight 1.05, 5 periods (FY), NCAA
Prerequisite: Algebra 1 (recommended minimum grade of 75%)
Explore the fundamentals of air and space flight as you bring aerodynamic concepts to life by engineering solutions for such things as airfoil wing shapes, rocket propulsion systems, glider aircraft, space junk recovery systems, and testing structural integrity of light but strong composite aerospace materials. Content will include orbital mechanics, satellite applications, and navigation systems used by air and space flight systems. Through the use of aerospace related simulators, students will develop skills of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication, as they create solutions, build physical models, and make connections between the science, math, and engineering of aerospace concepts and careers.