This course is the first in the four-year sequence. It introduces students to core engineering practices through projects connected to a variety of fields of engineering design. Students apply the engineering design process using industry-relevant software tools. Through this process, they discover how using the engineering design process helps engineers brainstorm, plan, think and create solutions to problems. They will practice using the process to solve several real-world challenges.
This introductory course allows students to develop a foundation for thinking and acting like an engineer. This course progresses students through increasingly complex real-world challenges based on global issues as a context for problem-solving.
Course goals
As a result of this course, students will:
- build engineering habits of mind using industry tools
- collaborate to solve real-world challenges
- localize solutions to their communities and experiences
- create solutions to complex problems
- document processes using engineering practices
Additional courses will be released at the start of the 2024 school year.
Standard alignment
Our curriculum is aligned with technical and academic standards and provides an interdisciplinary learning experience. Learning standards and student competencies are aligned with each unit within a course. The standards used for alignment are:
- Common Core English language arts
- Common Core mathematics
- Next-generation science standards
- Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL) Benchmarks
- ISTE standards for students
In addition to existing learning standards, we have created a 21st-century skills framework infused within our curriculum.
What's included
Purchases of this program include one year of access to our Pathway to Learning Engineering application for one teacher and 30 students. The application is designed to empower educators to facilitate the student learning experience throughout the course. No software download needed! The browser-based application contains all the learning materials and engineering design software in one place.
For Educators:
- Digital lesson plans with differentiation supports
- Printable student support documents
- Educator resources for facilitating learning
- How to videos for getting started with CAD and the learning application
- Access to curriculum
- Access to Zel X software
- Assessment rubrics
- Course and class management tools
- Progress monitoring analytics dashboard
For Students:
- Interactive project units
- Zel X software
- Digital badges
Additional courses will be released at the start of the 2024 school year. A detailed description of the Discover Engineering course can be found in the Pathway to Learning Engineering brochure.