7th Grade Syllabus
Paisley IB Magnet Middle School
Technology Design and Innovation
Mr. Loftis______________________
Welcome to Paisley IB Magnet Middle School where the Seventh grade students will be learning hands-on skills about
NXT Robotics, Bridge Technology and using computer programs to enhance their skills in Technology Design and
Innovation.
These subjects and elements will allow students to learn using Robotics to relate to real-world components such as
Structures, Physics, Gears, Levers and Engineering. Students will be constructing and applying creative structure to help
connect cognitively with real-world items such as building, machinery, transportation vehicles, tools and a host of other
intricate items that are made from technology.
The mission of this course is to use service learning to help students internalize and deepen their understanding of how
to work effectively in teams while at the same time helping students to improve their communication skills, their
problem solving abilities and their technical knowledge of robotics.
Technological Design and Innovation (TDI) provides students with opportunities to apply the design process in the
invention or innovation of a new product, process, or system. In this course, students will learn all about invention and
innovation. They will have opportunities to study the history of inventions and innovations, including their impacts on
society. They will learn about the core concepts of technology and about the various approaches to solving problems,
including engineering design and experimentation. Students will apply their creativity in the invention and innovation of
new products, processes, or systems. Finally, students learn about how various inventions and innovations impact their
lives. Students participate in engineering design activities to understand how criteria, constraints, and processes affect
designs. Students are involved in activities and experiences where they learn about brainstorming, visualizing, modeling,
constructing, testing, experimenting, and refining designs. Students also develop skills in researching information,
communicating design information, and reporting results.
Classroom Rules:
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Come in the room and be seated quickly with all materials and supplies ready.
Complete all assignments on time.
Raise hand to ask a question and Listen while others are speaking.
Respect each other’s opinions, space and belongings.
Always clean up Lego parts at the end of class.
Grade Policy:
Homework/ Daily Work = 35% of grade and assignments weighted by points.
Papers/ Projects = 35% of grade and assignments weighted by points.
Quizzes/ Tests = 30 % of grade.
Materials needed:
Students need to bring an Agenda book, a three ring binder and pencils to every class. It is important the student show
up to class on time and only be absent as necessary. Students should be respectful at all times, have good manners and
come to class ready to learn, learn and learn.
Parents and Guardian(s):
Please discuss this syllabus with your child, then sign (email acceptable to me on school email at dhloftis@wsfcs.k12.nc.us) and date
below to return to me. I look forward to having your child in the Technology Education class to help them learn about Robotics, etc.
Thank You!
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Student name
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Student signature
Date
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Parent / Guardian signature
Date