Applied Technology

Paul Holba, Department Chair - WVHS
Joe Wagner, Department Chair - NVHS

• Applied Technology Department's User Guide

The Technology Department's courses and curriculum revolve around providing students with learning and activities focused on the five areas of technology. These areas are: manufacturing, communication, transportation, energy and power, and construction. The majority of Applied Technology classes require safety glasses that must be purchased by the student. In many Applied Technology classes students make projects that can be taken home. There are materials fees associated with such classes.

Applied Technology Course Listings

Applied Technology Course Descriptions

Applied Tech courses are year-long, unless noted.

4020 Introduction to Applied Technology I (IAT) Grade 9. One semester. The course is designed to use Project Based Learning (PBL) as the model for teaching and learning. Students will be involved in problem-solving investigations and other meaningful tasks that allow the student to work in groups and/or autonomously to solve problems by developing realistic products. Master projects drive the direction of the course and the student learning. The projects cover one of several major technology sectors while employing an enterprise process to design, build, and market an invention or idea. The technologies introduced are AC/DC Power, CNC Milling Technology, Communication Technology, Desktop Publishing & Graphics, Electrical Systems, Engineering Team Building, Manufacturing Tools, Mechanical Systems & Mechanisms, Pneumatics Technology, Quality Control, and Robotics Technology. A lab fee will be charged. Students are encouraged to register for both IAT courses, but have the option of taking the IAT II course second semester.

4023 Introduction to Applied Technology II Grade 9. One semester. Prerequisite is IAT I. The course is designed to use Project Based Learning (PBL) as the model for teaching and learning. Students will be involved in problem-solving investigations and other meaningful tasks that allow the student to work in groups and/or autonomously to solve problems by developing realistic products. Master projects drive the direction of the course and the student learning. The projects cover one of several major technology sectors while employing an enterprise process to design, build, and market an invention or idea. The technologies introduced are AC/DC Power, CNC Milling Technology, Communication Technology, Desktop Publishing & Graphics, Electrical Systems, Engineering Team Building, Manufacturing Tools, Mechanical Systems & Mechanisms, Pneumatics Technology, Quality Control, and Robotics Technology. A lab fee will be charged. This course is only offered second semester.

4030 Woods Fabrication I Grade 10 - 12. This course is the study of manufacturing technology as it applies to the woodworking industry. Students will display the safe operation of hand tools, power tools, and machinery used in industry. Students will learn to read and draw blueprints and manufacture a product from those prints. Basic math and measuring skills will be taught as they apply to the industry. A study of trees, wood products, furniture design, fasteners, wood joints, and finishing processes will be covered. Students must purchase supplies.

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4032 Woods Fabrication II  Grade 11 - 12. Prerequisite is Woods I. This course is the study of construction technology and advanced manufacturing technology. Students will be introduced to both CAD (computer aided drafting) and CAM (computer aided manufacturing) to produce blueprints and products. Students will display the safe operation of hand tools and power tools used in the manufacturing industry while completing various projects. Students may compete to qualify for the State VICA competition. Students must purchase supplies.

4034 Introduction to Construction Trades Grade 10 - 12. One semester. Prerequisite is Wood Fabrication I. This preparatory course is designed for any student interested in learning about construction technology and/or related fields such as: Architecture, Contracting, Engineering, etc. The student will develop a background in design, preparation, construction and maintenance as it relates to a single-family home. Other career opportunities in construction technology will be explored such as: creating blueprints, surveying, concrete, carpentry, roofing, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, electricity, insulation, siding, drywall, and painting. Safe practices in the use of hand tools and power tools used in the industry will be covered. A lab fee will be charged.

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4040 Drafting & Design Grade 10-12. This is a beginning course for the drafts person or engineering student, introducing him/her to drafting fundamentals. The course materials include drafting equipment usage, materials, an introduction to CAD (Computer-Aided Design), and techniques used as a means of technical communications. Drafting techniques are studied and drawings are made with emphasis on the concepts of shape and size description through multi-view and pictorial drawings as they are used in mechanical and architectural drawings. A lab fee will be charged.

4042 Architectural Drafting Grade 11-12. Prerequisite is Drafting and Design. This course covers general techniques, history, home styles, construction methods, planning and drafting layouts, and perspective drawings. The course will be directed both to non-college and college-bound students. A lab fee will be charged.

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4044 Computer Aided Drafting Grade 11-12. Prerequisite is Drafting and Design. This course is designed for engineering students and architectural students using the computer. The Auto CAD software will be used. Students will learn to create, store, edit, and plot drawings. They will also learn to set up prototype drawings; create symbol libraries, bills of materials, develop customized screens, and generate 3D models. A lab fee will be charged.

4050 Power Mechanics - Grade 9-11. One semester. This course is an introductory course in the area of gasoline engine operation and fluid power mechanics. The course of study will be divided into approximately 15 weeks of concentration on small two and four cycle engine operations. In Power Mechanics, students will also disassemble, inspect, and reassemble small gasoline engines and will learn about the different types of systems. Students will also be introduced to the operations of automotive engines, automotive maintenance and car design for 3 weeks. A lab fee will be charged.

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4052 Automotive Mechanics - Grade 10-12. Prerequisite is Power Mechanics or Auto Maintenance. This is a lecture/laboratory course designed primarily to prepare students for job entry or advanced training in automotive service. The students will develop a background in the design, operations, and troubleshooting procedures of the gasoline engine, and other related components of the automobile such as the transmission and drive line, brake and electrical systems, disassembly, identification of parts, use of test equipment, service manual, shop safety. Laboratory procedures will be covered. SAFETY GLASSES of the spectacle-type and coveralls are required. A lab fee will be charged.

4054 Automotive Servicing - Grade 11-12. Two periods, all year. Two credits. Weighted grade. Prerequisite is Auto Mechanics. This is a lecture/laboratory class designed to give the automotive student a deeper and enriched background in automotive suspension, alignment, brakes, tires and wheels, drive line, and engine and electrical system. The use of tools, test equipment, service manuals, shop safety, and laboratory procedures will be covered. This course requires two periods. SAFETY GLASSES are required. A lab fee will be charged.

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4058 Automotive Maintenance - Grade 10-12. One semester. This course is designed for both male and female students of District 204 who wish only to gain some basic knowledge and maintenance skills for maintaining automobiles. This course covers the following areas in automotive maintenance: body maintenance, engine tune-up, lubrication maintenance, electrical maintenance, tires and wheels, drivetrain maintenance, and seasonal maintenance procedures. Students are not permitted to enroll in this course after completing Auto Mechanics. A lab fee will be charged.

4060 Electricity - Grade 10-12. This course is designed to acquaint the student with the fundamental theory behind direct and alternating current electricity, common electronic equipment, and electric circuits. Laboratory practice, discussion, and experiments will be part of the course. Simple DC and AC electrical components, motors, generators, inductors, and capacitors will be studied and manipulated to show effects of circuit variables. Each student will be required to construct a simple electrical device. This device may be purchased through the school or any commercial electronics store. A lab fee will be charged.

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4062 Electronics - Grade 11-12. Prerequisite is Electricity. This course is designed to acquaint the student with fundamentals of electronic communication, amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, receivers, and transmitters. Solid state circuitry and solid state electronics are also introduced. Laboratory practice, discussion and experiments will be part of the course. In this lab the student will be required to construct an electronic device which may be purchased through the school or any electronics store. A lab fee will be charged.

4064 Cisco/A+ Certification - Grade 11-12. Two periods, all year. Prerequisite is Electicity. This course is designed for students interested in PC computer building and servicing, as well as computer networking. Students will learn and apply their skills using DOS, Windows 98, and Windows 2000. Trouble- shooting skills will enable students to repair and upgrade existing PC's and prepare for A+ Certification. The Cisco course will provide students with experience in current and emerging networking technology. Instruction includes: safety, networking, network terminology and protocols, network standards, LANs, WANs, OSI models, cabling, cabling tools, routers, router programming, star topology, and IP addressing. Emphasis is given to decision-making and problem-solving skills. This year long class will meet daily for two periods. Students may earn dual credit from College of DuPage.

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4068 Applied Technology Independent Study - Grade 12. Two periods, all year. Prerequisite is completion of Levels I and II in an area. This course is for seniors who have successfully completed level II courses and have the desire to advance in a specific area such as Woods, Automotive, Electronics, or Drafting.

4070 Building Trades - Grade 11-12. Three periods, all year, off site. Prerequisite is Intro to Construction. This course is designed to provide students hands-on experiences in learning about construction technology and/or related fields, such as architecture, general contracting, and engineering that will empower students to enter employment and/or further education and training. Construction includes building a single-family home that will be sold to the public upon completion. Other career opportunities in construction technology, such as surveying, concrete, roofing, plumbing, H.V.A.C., electricity, insulation, siding, drywall, and painting will be covered during the course of the project. Areas such as soil testing, waivers and liens, safety, legal liabilities, and sales and marketing will also be covered. This year-long course will meet daily for three class periods and will require the student to provide transportation to and from the site. A lab fee will be charged. This course is offered through a partnership with Aurora East High School District 131. Construction sites will be in the Aurora area.

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4270 Television Production I - Grade 10-12. Two semesters. This course is a skill-level course designed to provide students with the skills needed for a career in the technical aspects of television broadcasting. Instruction will include camera operations, basic audio and video editing, sound and lighting techniques and audio mixing. Students will learn the operation of video and DVD recording equipment, video/digital cameras, microphones, lighting/grip equipment and other production equipment used in the video and audio production of television programs.

4272 Television Production II - Grade 11-12. Two semesters. Prerequisite is TV I. This course is a skill level course for students who have successfully completed Television Production I. In addition to expanding on the activities explained in the first course, students will work in a team-based environment to create a variety of video and audio related productions. Instruction will include single and multi camera operation, linear and nonlinear video editing, pre-production, production, and post-production processes, and audio mixing. Students will learn how to use digital editing equipment and software to electronically cut and paste video and sound segments together as well as how to regulate and monitor signal quality, strength, and clarity.

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4273 Television Production III - Grade 11-12. Two semesters. Prerequisite is TV II. This class is designed as an independent study for students who have completed TVII and who wish to improve their production skills by working on approved projects of their choice. An "A" or "B" average in TVII and approval from the instructor is required before registering for this class.

4497 Professional and Technical Internship - Grade 11-12. Two semesters. Two periods. Individualized program. This program serves as the last course in a sequence of Applied Technology courses. Sequenced courses include the following: Automotive Servicing, Architectural Drafting, Computer Drafting, Electronics, and Woods II, and TV. Other courses may qualify. Please see instructor or department chair. A student will receive one credit for classroom instruction and one credit for on-the-job-training. The internship instructor will assist with job placement and monitor student progress throughout the year. Early dismissal is not a requirement for this program.

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