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Principles of Engineering (*discontinued
no longer available*)
High
School Curriculum
 Leading
engineering educators at the high school and university level,
seeing the need for a comprehensive curriculum that integrates
mathematics, science and technology, undertook the project
of developing a curriculum for college bound high school students.
This curriculum was developed by funds from a NSF Grant. The
curriculum focused on six case studies in Engineering.
One of the Units,
Machine Automation and Control ,utilized fischertechnik
to help understand some of the principles involved in machine
automation, to understand the importance of automation and
control processes on our society, and to participate in the
process of creativity. Students were given a design problem
which required them to design, draw, build and test a machine
automation project. Through the use of fischertechnik
students were introduced to the disciplines of mechanics,
control engineering, structural design, pneumatics and robotics,
Why did these leading educators choose fischertechnik?
They realized that the components in the fischertechnik construction
system approximate real world building materials. The reason
for this is the main business of fischerwerke, the maker of
fischertechnik, is actually high tech fasteners that
are used in the construction industry. That knowledge helped
them design a model construction system that works on the
same principles that are used everyday construction. Engineers
and engineering educators can understand and appreciate the
sophistication of the fischertechnik system.
The Machine Automation
and Control unit recommends the use of fischertechnik
Kits and Software to complete the activities. At the time
the curriculum was written in 1992, the following fischertechnik
Kits in the left column were recommended. These kits have
been updated by the replaced fischertechnik kits in
the right column. For a class of 20 students it was recommended
that 5 of each of the following kits be used:
| Computing Kit #30554 *** |
(replaced with) Experimenta Computing # 30625
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| Start 100 # 30141 |
(replaced with) UT1 Basic Kit # 30606 |
| Start Static # 30610 |
(replaced with) UTS Add on kit Statics # 30610
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| Start Motor &Gears # 30140 |
(replaced with) UT2 Add on kit Motor &
Gears #30607 |
| Mini Motor Service Set # 30187 |
(replaced with) MiniMotor Set # 30342 |
| Grey Building Blocks Set # 30280 |
(replaced with) Parts 31003 (10) 31004 (2)
31005 (5) 31006 (2) 31007 (2) |
| Chain Elements Service Set # 30284 |
(replaced with) Parts 35571 (2) 31036 (2)
31762 (70) 31983 (8) 31779 (4) 37679 (8) |
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Includes Parallel Interface, Power Supply and Sample Programs
written in GW Basic. There are several software replacements
including FiPro and Lucky Logic.
This
curriculum is available for the cost $7.00 which covers the
cost of printing and mailing from the New York State Education
Department.
To order by phone
call +1 518 474-3806 and ask for :
Principles
of Engineering, A High School Course Emphasizing Math, Science
and Technology
Or send a check
for $7.00 to:
New York State Education Department
Publication Sales Desk
89 Washington Ave
Room 309 Education Building
Albany, New York 12234
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TECHNOLOGY