Mr. Rogers' Syllabus for IB Design Technology

As you walk through the classroom door you will be entering the exciting world of invention, innovation,  engineering, and entrepreneurship. The class is an outgrowth from the 2004 Lemelson-MIT grant that enabled the school's InvenTeam to invent and prototype a stair climbing robot for firefighters. In the spirit of the Lemelson-MIT program, students will learn how to come up with an idea then develop it through the prototype stage. Each student will learn how to:

1. conduct literature searches on  ideas
2. conduct patent searches
3. find clients and customers willing to help develop the idea
4. write a Lemelson-MIT type invention statement
5. use a decision matrix to evaluate alternatives.
6. run simulations of basic concepts using programs such as Excel Spreadsheets.
7. develop time line plans (Gantt charts) using Excel.
8. make a materials cost estimate using Excel
9. make orthographic and assembly drawings using computer software.
10. build prototypes
11. assemble a final report which will sell the idea to potential investors.

Students will also focus on the IB design methods and gain a knowledge of how ideas can be scaled up all the way into manufacturing and commercialization. They will gain a deeper understanding of how technologies are developed and of how engineers interact in the process.

Since materials science has traditionally been a major road block to successful commercialization of inventions, a significant part of the class will focus on strength of materials and materials science.

Finally, students will learn a number of design and prototyping skills including soldering, use of basic hand and power tools. They will often work together building prototypes.

Grading: (For details see Mr. Rogers' Syllabus - Information Common to All Classes.) Unlike Mr. Rogers other classes less than 50 % of the grade will be based on tests. The majority will be based on completing milestones for the major project and on weekly project work.

Materials for Class

Major Project: Each student will create a major invention/design project based on the 10 items listed above. The project must solve a problem for a client in an innovative manner and will include a log book and final report. due the first Monday in March. It will be virtually impossible to pass the class during the 3rd and 4th quarters without turning in this project.

If possible the design will be turned into a working full scale prototype but this is not a requirement of the project.

Extra credit will be awarded if the project is turned into a science fair project or major contest entry.

Group IV Projects: Yes, Design Technology is a Group IV subject and students will be required to participate in a group IV project with a biology, chemistry, physics, and design aspect. The good news: classroom time will be allotted for the project and a major written assignment will not be required.

Weekly Project Related Assignments: These will be based on scientific and engineering investigations. Most of these will be done in small groups

Continuous Brainstorming: There are very  few successful single idea people. Successful inventors and innovators are generally wellsprings of ideas. While some of this characteristic is natural talent, anyone can improve their ability to generate ideas. Students will maintain an idea log of possible inventions they would like to work on, and add to it at least weekly for a weekly grade. (Possible being a key word here, in other words no time travel machines, warp drives, etc.)

Assignment Turn In: To the extent possible, all assignments are to be turned in electronically and kept in the IB Design Technology folder on each individual student's virtual hard drive. The files are to be labled as follows:

<student's name> <exact title of the assignment>

The exceptions are the computer printed major project and the hand written log book associated with it.

Students will learn how to brainstorm as a group and how to conduct effective meetings during both in-class projects and extra curricular projects.

The following is offered as a general indication of how the class will be paced. Adjustments will be made as needed.

First Quarter:

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

Mr. Rogers' IB Design Technology Objectives