Scott Herz  -  GM Lead Test Engineer

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

The Design Technology Program is a planned series of three career preparation courses. These courses provide students with an in depth, sequenced educational experience in mechanical design. Beginning with a course in Technical Design, students learn the basics of visualization and design. This course is followed by Mechanical Design and Engineering Design. A fourth year course of Research and Development allows for in depth hands Project Based Learning (PBL) with state of the art manufacturing equipment. All courses and methods are progressive, concurrent with energy and green industry, and relevant to CTE standards. The programs of study within Design Technology are part of the National Career Clusters. The Mechanical Design Pathway is part of the cluster called Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). To learn more about these, or any of the 16 National Career Clusters, visit: www.careertech.org/career-clusters 

Design Technology Brochure Chippewa Valley High School

Design Technology Brochure Dakota High School

9501/9502 TECHNICAL DESIGN 1A/1B (1 hr) Gr 9-12 0.5/0.5 credit Prerequisite/Recommendation: None. 

This is the first course of a possible four-year design program. Students will be introduced to methods of Computer Aided Design (CAD), drafting, free-hand design and electronic digital media to develop professional drawing, design and visualization skills. Students will learn engineering and architecturally-based innovative techniques of free-hand sketching, lettering, measuring, geometric construction, pictorial techniques, orthographic projection and 3D modeling basics. Projects will include a focus on “green” technologies, alternative/renewable energy, and related innovations used by today’s designers, engineers, installation/service technicians, and architects. This course has been approved to meet the MMC senior year math-related credit requirement. 

9507/9508 MECHANICAL DESIGN 1A/1B (1 hr) * Gr 10-12 0.5/0.5 credit Prerequisite/Recommendation: Technical Design 1A/1B with 2.0 or higher and teacher/administrative recommendation. 

After successful completion of Tech Design 1A and with teacher recommendation, a student may by pass Tech Design 1B and enroll in the next level course of Mechanical Design 1A/1B. This second year course continues development of visualization skills, use of electronic digital media, technical design, and basic design elements of dimensioning, sectioning, auxiliary projection, with the introduction of simple assembly designs. This course gives students an in-depth look at the utilization of CAD and drafting related careers as future options. Students are introduced to the concepts of design techniques including 3D parametric modeling, solid modeling, surface modeling, rendering and mechanical assemblies in a technical design environment. In addition students will be introduced to fabrication lab safety through the construction of small design and build projects. This course has been approved to meet the MMC senior year math-related credit requirement.

9511/9512 ENGINEERING DESIGN 1YA/1YB (1 hr) 

9513/9514 ENGINEERING DESIGN 1YC/1YD (1 hr) 

Gr 11-12 0.5/0.5 credit Prerequisite/Recommendation: Mechanical Design 1A/1B with 2.0 or higher, one year of AutoCAD experience. (CVHS) and teacher/administrative recommendation. 

In this third year course, students take an advanced look at the engineering design profession. Students will learn to apply design concepts, engineering problem solving, and visual graphic techniques while maintaining professional ethics, and responsibility. Students will be introduced to design theory of basic machine elements through the introduction of dies, jigs and other industrial applications. Students will accomplish typical industry design practices including the preparation of complete production tool designs using the CAD system. Understanding the theory of detail design procedures will be explained through the latest design methods, technical skills, industrial applications, and practices of mechanical assembly. Topical areas may include: bill of materials, subassemblies, standard parts, fasteners, dimensioning, visualization and advanced 3-dimensional CAD techniques. Students will incorporate rapid prototyping technology for model design, analysis and verification of a fully defined new part. The building of simple projects will be included in the course experience while maintaining personal safety in the fabrication lab. This course has been approved to meet the MMC senior year math-related credit requirement. 

9509/9510 ENGINEERING DESIGN 1A/1B * (2 hr) Gr 11-12 1.0/1.0 credits Prerequisite/Recommendation: Mechanical Design 1A/1B and one year of AutoCAD experience. 

In this third year course, students take an advanced look at the engineering design profession. This is accomplished by applying professional design concepts, engineering problem solving, and visual graphic techniques while maintaining professional ethics, and responsibility. Students will be introduced to design theory of basic machine elements through the introduction of dies, jigs and other industrial applications. Students will accomplish typical industry design practices including the preparation of complete production tool designs using the CAD system. The theory of detail design procedures will be the focus by means of the latest design methods, technical skills, industrial applications, and practices of mechanical assembly. Topical areas may include: bill of materials, subassemblies, standard parts, fasteners, dimensioning, visualization and advanced 3-dimensional CAD techniques. Students will incorporate rapid prototyping technology for model design, analysis and verification of a fully defined new part. The building of simple projects will be included in the course experience while maintaining personal safety in the fabrication lab. This course has been approved to meet the MMC senior year math-related credit requirement.

9465/9466 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 1A/1B (2 hr) * - (TAUGHT AT DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL) Gr 12 1.0/1.0 credit                            Prerequisite/Recommendation: Engineering Design 1A/1B with 2.0 or higher, two or more years of AutoCAD and/or Inventor experience (3D Solids) and teacher/administrative recommendation.

In this fourth-year course students will have the opportunity to design and develop a variety of new products and mechanisms using the latest in engineering design techniques. With concept sketching and visualization as a foundation, projects will be designed, engineered, prototyped, fabricated and tested for performance and durability. Students will focus on 3-D solid part design and analysis using the CAD system. Results from the applications of various digital electronic media may include; Photo-Realistic Rendering, Animation, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Plastic Rapid Prototyping of 3-D solids. Special emphasis is placed on the Research and Development of fully defined new products. Students will use all essential metal and woodworking tools in the DHS fabrication lab to manufacture and assemble their final projects. Students will be required to give a final portfolio presentation of their research and will depart the class with a greater understanding of the development of tangible industry processes, methods, new product development and equipment. This course has been approved to meet the MMC senior year math-related credit requirement. 9605/9606 DESIGN INTERNSHIP 1/2 (2 hr)

9607/9608 DESIGN INTERNSHIP 1A/1B (1 hr) Gr 12 1.0/1.0 (2 hr) or 0.5/0.5 (1 hr) credit Prerequisite/Recommendation: Mechanical Design 1A/1B, with teacher recommendation and must be concurrently enrolled in Engineering Design 1A/1B or Research and Development. 

This course provides the opportunity for senior-level students to gain a paid “on-the-job” work experience in the career area of their choice. An Individual Educational Training Plan and Training Agreement are developed for each student-trainee detailing his/her specific learning activities. This course may be taken for one or two hours. Student wages are equivalent to those earned by other trainees in that particular occupation. Note: A student who chooses the Internship course for either one or two hours is expected to meet 200 hours of work per semester. 

 Note:  A student who chooses the Internship course for either one or two hours is expected to meet 200 hours of work per semester.

*While we strive to provide students with valuable opportunities to explore real-world applications of mechanical design through internships, availability is subject to external factors, including fluctuations in industry demand, company-specific limitations, and economic conditions. We encourage students to actively pursue alternative opportunities and remain flexible in their career exploration within the field of mechanical design.

World Language Credit: Students may replace one credit of World Language with one credit of CTE when CTE is taken as a second semester (or additional) VPAA credit.

These CTE courses may fulfill the one credit of Visual, Performing, Applied Arts (VPAA) graduation requirement. (Two .5 or one 1.00 CTE courses are required for the successful completion to meet this requirement.)

Sample 4 Year Plan Chippewa Valley High School

Sample 4 Year Plan Dakota High School

(This exploratory elective (Transportation Technology) is provided as an awareness course of the world of transportation and mobility. It is not an employment preparatory course within any CTE program of study.)  

4745 TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY

Gr 9-10      0.5 credit (1hr)

Prerequisite/Recommendation:  None.

Dive into the fascinating world of transportation technology and discover how it drives movement across land, air, and water! In this hands-on course, students will design, build, and test their own prototypes while exploring the principles of aerodynamics and engineering. Projects vary by semester and may include constructing model planes, hot air balloons, boats, and other exciting creations. If you enjoy working with your hands and solving creative challenges, this course is for you. No prior building experience is required—just bring your curiosity, imagination, and enthusiasm for discovery. 

Please be advised: Students who select CTE courses that require travel with our shuttle service, should opt for a 2-hr block course, if possible, as doing so minimizes the impact of lost instructional time due to traveling.