Technology, Engineering, & Design Education (TED)

The Technology Engineering and Design program is designed to provide middle and high school student’s essential and enduring 21st Century skills. It is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program that uses languages, technologies, sciences, engineering and the arts to understand, communicate, and design. The program has three principle curriculum strands.

Program Design

The Core Technology and Visualization strands incorporate several courses developed by the International Technology and Engineering Education Association, STEM Center for Teaching and Learning. The Pre-engineering strand is comprised of several middle and high school courses, developed by PLTW (Project Lead the Way), and two courses Principles of Technology I and II, developed by the Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD) .

Core Technology

The Core Technology Strand is comprised of two middle school and three high school courses developed by the International Technology and Engineering Education Association, STEM Center for Teaching and Learning. The core strand provides students with a broad understanding of technology and its importance and its effects upon society, the economy and the environment. The core program weaves academic and technical concepts and skills using modeling and other strategies. Students apply, design and build conceptual, mathematical, graphic, and physical models to better understand enduring STEM concepts. In addition to academic technical skill development, students acquire higher level problem solving and critical-thinking skills as well as teaming and other essential “soft” skills.

Visualization

The Visualization Strand is comprised of four courses, developed by the International Technology and Engineering Education Association, STEM Center for Teaching and Learning. Scientific & Technical Visualization I and II and Game Art and Design and Advance Game Art and Design. The focus of the courses are principles, concepts, and use of complex graphic and visualization tools as applied to the study of science and technology. Students use complex 2D graphics, 3D animation, editing, and image analysis tools to better understand, illustrate, explain, and present technical, mathematical, and/or scientific concepts and principles. Students are introduced to the core concepts and skills of the electronic gaming industry. Emphasis is placed on the use of computer-enhanced images to generate both conceptual and data-driven models, data-driven charts, and animations. Science, math, and visual design concepts are reinforced throughout each course.

Pre-Engineering

The Pre –engineering strand is comprised of nine high schools courses developed by PLTW, and two courses, Principle of Technology I and II developed by CORD. The program is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in engineering, engineering technology, or related science fields. It introduces students to the scope, rigor and disciple of engineering and covers a broad range of subjects such as globe challenges, digital electronics, computer integrated manufacturing, civil engineering and architecture, aerospace, and biotechnical engineering.

PLTW has developed a flexible program of study for all schools interested in the engineering pathways. Schools can offer a four-year sequence of courses focusing on preparing students for an engineering pathway. Schools with limited resources can implement PLTW Course Agreement, which allows schools to implement PLTW courses outside of a program. This flexibility allows schools to utilize PLTW curriculum on a course by course basic to fit their local schedules, budgets and establish programs. When PLTW courses are combined with traditional mathematics and science course students are introduced to the scope, rigor and discipline of engineering and engineering technology prior to entering college.

Principles of Technology is an applied-physics curriculum designed for students who learn more efficiently with a hands-on approach. Designed to present the discipline of physics in the context of how it is practically experienced in the world and how it is used in technology. Principles of Technology I or Principles of Technology II can count as a physical science credit required for graduation under certain conditions. Hyper link to the CTE / Science credit document The Technology Engineering and Design program strands are not meant to be isolated programs, but rather combined and woven as needed by the students being served. Just as in the larger educational program, students should be guided into courses and programs that have a synergistic relationship. This provides students with the opportunity to apply otherwise academic and abstract concepts in ways that are meaningful, powerful, engaging and reflective of the skills and understandings necessary for success in the 21st Century.

Student Organization

TSA, Technology Student Organization, is the Career and Technical Student Organization for Technology Education. For more information, click here.