Course Syllabus

Welcome to Exploring Careers through STEM

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. These skills have been determined to be the skills needed for employment in the 21^st Century.  Students in the eighth grade will be introduced to STEM Careers using Project Lead the Way curriculum and other resources to introduce them to Design and Modeling, Engineering and Automation with Robotics using Problem/Project Based learning.  Students will use VEX components and ROBOTC programming to facilitate their automation.  Students will be working in groups extensively and will create and sign Guidelines for Group Work, Some grades will be dependent on group work while others will be determined by individual progress.  Students will also sign Safety Regulations and Procedures for the Gateway Classroom before beginning projects in the classroom. Some grades are determined by group work while others are based on individual progress.

Supplies

Composition Notebook or binder (for classroom and curriculum notes and other classwork resources).

Graph Paper notebook (composition or spiral) to be used as their Engineering Notebook

Pens and Pencils (Both will be necessary for class)

Pack of colored pencils

Laptop (Chromebook)

Wish List:  Tissues, Expo Markers, Permanent Markers

Other Items for Project Building:  Foam, Foam Sheets, Packing Material (Bubble Wrap, etc,), Velcro, Glue (any kind), Coloring Markers, Cardboard, Poster Board, and any other materials that would be good for building projects.

Classroom Procedures: Responsible, Respectful, Prepared, and Safe

All classroom rules with fail under one of these categories. In addition to these guidelines, no food, drink, or gum is allowed in class. We will be using the PBIS system for rewarding good behavior.  If a student does not follow the guidelines, a disciplinary consequence can occur.

 Discipline

1. Verbal Warning/Problem Solve
2. Parent Contact (email or phone call)
3. Parent Conference
4. Assign Silent Lunch or Training Camp (Contact parent each time.)

*After three Silent Lunches and/or Training Camps an Office Referral is written.

5. Office Referral

*Written by a teacher resulting in one of the following consequences from administration:

- Saturday School

- In School Suspension

- Out of School Suspension

Grading

Your grades will come from the following areas:

• 40% Classwork including pre-tests, activities (tasks), critical thinking questions, and any other classwork assigned
• 30% Quizzes
• 10% Tests
• 10% Projects
• 10% Participation

Attendance

It is important for students to be here every day.  Students should turn in any work missed within two days.  With our curriculum online, students will have access to lessons, critical thinking questions, and quizzes anytime they have Internet connection (including school and home).

Tardies

There is no reason for students to be tardy to class without a note. Tardies will be treated as a discipline issue.  The first tardy is a warning. Every subsequent tardy will result in a phone call to parent/guardian. The fourth tardy will result in a referral to the office.

Computer Procedures

1. Do not turn computers on or off unless instructed to do so.
2. Only access those files or programs to which you have been given permission.
3. Do not change any settings on the classroom laptop.
4. Keep your hands on your computer only (helping is not an excuse).

Other Guidelines

• Seating Chart: There will be a seating chart for both the desks in the room and the desktop computers.  Seating arrangements may change at any time.         
• Substitutes: If I am absent from class, treat any substitute as a guest in the classroom.  Inappropriate behavior will warrant appropriate discipline up to and including an office referral.
• In an emergency: First, remain calm and quiet.  I will give you instructions as how to proceed.
• Visitors and the Intercom: Please be respectful when a visitor comes into the room.  When an announcement is made, please be respectful and quiet.  The information being relayed may concern you.
• Things that come up: Sometimes things come up that cannot be helped.  Remember that we all need to be flexible and patient.  There may be changes to schedules, rules, procedures, assignments, etc. that will ultimately make your school experience better.