Rochambeau Middle School

Teacher (email)		Phone		Web Site Link
Mr. Greg Kunz		203-264-2711

Grade Six Technology Education
Sixth grade students take technology education for one marking period.  The sixth grade program is a concept-based curriculum revolving around the topic of bridges.  Students learn about various bridge types, stresses they must withstand and why various types are selected for a given location.  Students are challenged to design a bridge given a budget and design criteria and then prepare plans for its construction using computer-aided design software.  The culmination of the marking period is the creation of a documentary written, narrated and produced by the student about a bridge of their own choice.  

Sixth grade technology education students work in whole class, small group and individual settings.  Students use Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and Moviemaker, as well as AutoCAD LT98 (CAD).   

Grade Seven Technology Education
The seventh grade technology education program, like grade six, is a concept-based approach.  Throughout the marking period, seventh grade students study the topics of ‘work’ and ‘energy’.  Beginning with simple machines and the measurements necessary in the calculation of work, students learn about various energy types and laws of energy (conservation and entropy).  They study energy sources relied upon by the United States in our daily lives (petroleum, coal, hydropower) and become familiar with the issues surrounding the acquisition and use of these sources.  Students then learn about some technologies that may have a place in the future of our energy supplies (solar, hydrogen fuel cells, wind).

 Students create projects that allow them to see in physical form the application of the various projects.  The mousetrap powered vehicle demonstrates how simple machines work.  The motor model is a demonstration of how most of our electricity is generated, and the photovoltaic project demonstrates how light can be converted to electricity.

 As students progress through the marking period they are introduced to the appropriate and safe use of various hand tools as well as portable and stationary power tools. 

 Grade Eight Technology Education
Eighth grade technology education students are enrolled in this elective for two marking periods.  Students in eighth grade technology education learn about design and manufacturing through various projects.  Some of the projects are:

         CO­₂ Vehicles (rocket cars)
        CADD (Computer Aided Design/Drafting)
        Computer Numerical Control (computer programming language)
        Robotics (Using Lego NXT programmable parts)
        Manufacturing methods
        Macromedia Flash (computer animation)
        Water  rockets
        Stop motion video

Eighth grade technology education students work in whole class, small group and individual settings.  Many of the projects are flexible and modular in nature, allowing students to pursue each project to the level of their interest and ability.

Students are required to apply math and science principles to understand and complete the different projects.  Students also learn the safe use of stationary and portable power tools, as well as some common hand tools. Throughout the semester, students learn how the emergence of new technologies and the globalization of commerce may change the way goods are designed and produced for an intended market.