FORSYTH COUNTY COURSE SYLLABUS
South Forsyth High School
585 Peachtree Parkway
Cumming, GA 30041
COURSE TITLE:
TEACHER NAME:
ROOM:
30505y IB Design Technology SL
N. Crowder
183
E-MAIL:
ncrowder@forsyth.k12.ga.us
PHONE: 770-781-2264
EXT: 100183
Course Description:
IB Design Technology SL
The Diploma Programme for the IB Design Technology SL course is best suited for students interested in engineering,
design, business, or entrepreneurship. Design Technology involves gaining information about the world around us,
processing it, and then using it to form a strategy that will improve a given situation or product. It provides students with
the knowledge to be able to design and make in school workshops, and also to develop an informed literacy about
technology in general. Because it is an international curriculum it has a particular focus on global environmental issues.
The designer is interested in not only the material environment but also the political, social, and economic considerations
which affect people’s priorities. Students learn how to evaluate existing products and analyze situations so that they can
suggest appropriate improvements.
In all Career Tech classes, we share a common goal of preparing our students for the professional world. As such, we
treat our classrooms, our labs and our clubs as professional organizations. Our goals include having high standards with
regards to safety, being on time, dress code adherence, work ethic, following directions, being prepared, just as they will
be once they reach their profession.
IB EXAMS
Paper 1
30 multiple choice questions on Core Topics
20%
Paper 2
Essay and short answer on Core Topics
24%
Paper 3
Short Answer on topic of choice
20%
Internal Assessment
Project Work (labs) 18% Individual Design Project 18% 36%
Note: The IB exam(s) are recommended to obtain possible college credit. There is a fee to take the IB
exams, which are given in the spring. The class is taught as if all students will be taking the IB Exams.
Learning Resources/Textbooks:
Due to the very broad nature of this course, several textbooks are used. Classroom sets will be available for
reference as needed. Main textbooks are listed below.
Textbooks:
“Design and Technology” by Metcalfe and Metcalfe, Published by Ibid Press.
“IB Design Technology” by Smith and Alder, Published by WFM Print Solutions
In addition to the textbooks, numerous on-line and server based tutorials related to the various software programs will be
utilized. The key software programs will include; Google SketchUp Pro & Blender for concept visualization, SolidWorks for
3-D Modeling, mechanical, Adobe Creative Suite, Autodesk Suite of Design Software, plus others.
Availability for Extra Help: The instructor will be available for clarifications, additional questions, and individual
assistance each school morning beginning at 7:45, and most days after school until 4:30. Students are always welcome
to come to the lab in the morning.
Makeup Work: All missed work and assessments are the responsibility of the student when they are absent from
school. Please see the instructor for missed assignments, and turn in no more than 5 days after absence.
Grading Calculations:
Course Average = 50% (1ST Sem. Course Work) 50% (2ND Sem. Course Work)
1ST & 2ND Semester Course Work = 75% Summative + 25% Formative
Grading Policy: This is the grade SFHS gives you, not IB
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 70 – 79
Failing = Below 70
*Formative Assessments include, but are not limited to homework, class work, practice tests, rough drafts, and sections
of projects/ research papers/presentations.
*Summative Assessments include, but are not limited to unit tests, final projects, final essays, final research papers, and
final presentations.
Materials Required
Each Student is required to provide:
A carboard folder type of notebook, that has prongs to hold 50 sheets of notebook paper (notebook paper must
be affixed inside notebook, and not loose—no spiral bound notebooks will be accepted) and two pockets to keep returned
work. Notebooks are kept in the classroom at all times. THIS NOTEBOOK IS MANDATORY.
Materials Requested
Each student is requested to provide the following: (Please return by Monday)
1 small bottle of white glue
#2 Pencils—1 package
$30 lab fee—this will cover TSA membership, an SFHS Engineering shirt, and lab materials for all projects
(robotics may require additional fees). TSA Fee can be paid on My Payments Plus. This is preferred, but if not
possible, checks will be accepted. Make payable to SFHS TSA and put students name on check. Technology
Student Association (TSA) Membership is expected of engineering students. SFHS has one of the top competitive
engineering/robotics teams in the world. Membership is very beneficial for obtaining college admissions and/or
internships.
Course Outline:
Topic 1 - Design process This topic introduces the design cycle model—a fundamental concept underpinning the
design process and central to a student’s understanding of design activities.
Topic 2 - Product Innovation Innovation and the continuous development of new and improved products is key to the
design process. This topic considers the relationship between the design cycle and the product cycle.
Topic 3: Green Design Green design involves taking a “cradle to grave” approach to the design of a product by
considering the adverse impacts of the product at all stages of its life (pre-production, production, distribution, including
packaging, utilization and disposal) and seeking to minimize those impacts.
Topic 4: Materials This topic aims to ensure understanding of the relationships between materials choice,
manufacturing processes and the concepts of designers.
Topic 5: Product development Designers need to understand a wide range of manufacturing processes and
techniques to match their knowledge of materials.
Topic 6: Product design The designer, by instigating technological change, is implicated in the resultant social
consequences. Commonly these are seen as unexpected or unwanted effects arising from a new product, technique or
system.
Topic 7 – Evaluation A design is evaluated in many ways. For safety, reliability and, ultimately, desirability by a
consumer.
IB Design Technology
2014-2015
My expectations are high, but together we can achieve our goals.
Be here, be positive, be willing to work, and you will succeed!
Course Syllabus
Students, please sign the following and have your parent or guardian sign where indicated. Return
the signed form & lab fee no later than the end of class on Monday, August 11.
(Lab fee includes TSA Dues, T Shirt, and materials for the class and in-class club activities)
*” I have received a copy of the syllabus during the first week of enrollment in this class. I
understand what the expectations and responsibilities are of the student.”
Parent or Guardian (print) _________________________________________________
Parent or Guardian signature ________________________________Date___________
Student Name (print) ________________________________________Class Period___
Student Signature ___________________________________ Student # ___________
Note: If there are extenuating circumstances regarding the requirements for this class, please have your
parent or guardian contact Coach Crowder prior to the August 11th deadline at 770-781-2264 ext 100183.