Eighth Grade Technology Education

Eighth grade Technology Education consists of a manufacturing unit and an engineering & design project. The engineering and design project involves the manufacturing of a co2 dragster. Students must design a dragster (via CAD) and construct a prototype that is launched in the classroom and tested for speed and durability. Students follow the eight step Engineering Design Process (from the curriculum frameworks) to design, test, and modify their dragsters. The unit concludes with a racing tournament to determine the fastest dragster in the class.

The manufacturing component is a clock with a photo screen printed image. The images are computer generated in either Microsoft Word, AppleWorks, or Graphic Converter. Images must be of high quality (camera ready). Scanning images, color separations, and modifying logos captured from the internet are required before an image is suitable for photo screen printing. Film positives are laser printed and used to produce a stencil that is attached to a screen. Images are then screen printed directly onto a wooden clock face that is eventually polyurethaned. Applying numbers and mounting the motor completes the manufacturing process.

As in the previous grades, students maintain a portfolio with rubrics, worksheets, and digital pictures of completed projects. Students are also required to keep a classroom journal to record daily progress. Benchmarks mastered in the previous grades reduce instruction time in the eighth grade and allows for more time on task. In addition, familiarity with technology in the lab and prior experiences with tools in the manufacturing area lay the groundwork for the student to exhibit a higher degree of craftsmanship in the eighth grade.

Click HERE to view learning standards and benchmarks for grade eight.