STEM ACADEMY

The goal of the STEM Academy is to provide Cathedral Students with a rich and meaningful engagement with technology in many forms and prepare them for college and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and related fields such as design and architecture.  The Academy program is driven by New York State's Mathematics, Science, and Technology (MST) Standard 5: Technology, expanded to include the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) Core Disciplinary Standards.

MST Standard 5

ItEEA Sandard 1

Students will develop an understanding of The Nature and Characteristics of Technology and Engineering.

ItEEA STandard 2

Students will develop an understanding of The Core Concepts of Technology and Engineering.

ItEEA STandard 3

Students will develop an understanding of the Integration of Knowledge, Technologies, and Practices.

ItEEA STandard 4

Students will develop and understanding of the Impacts of Technology.

ItEEA STandard 5

Students will develop an understanding of The Influence of Society on Technological Development.

ITEEA STANDARD 6

Students will develop an understanding of the History of Technology.

ITEEA STANDARD 7

Students will develop and understanding of Design in Technology and Engineering Education.
 

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Technology Foundations

Grade 9 | Half-Year course

For students with little or no experience with technology and engineering, this foundations course will expose students to the history, practices and impact of technology, design, and engineering through an intensive hands-on curriculum. Students acquire skills such as basic technical drawing, efficient problem solving, introductory programming/coding, and  safe and effective use of tools and machinery. Students will also receive an introduction to advanced digital fabrication tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and computer numerically controlled (CNC) power tools. This course builds a well-rounded foundation of skills and knowledge required for more advanced courses.

PREREQUISITE: None

Technology II: Designing the Future

Grade 10 | Full-Year Course

Students will develop their creative thinking, critical analysis, decision-making, and problem-solving skills through a series of design challenges. The universal language of technical drawing - sketching, drafting, and computer-aided design - provides the framework for this course and equips students with a skillset that is required throughout the design and engineering world. Students will also perfom historical and present-day research and learn basic modeling skills in preparation for higher-level courses. 

Prerequisite: 85% or higher in Technology Foundations

Technology III: Engineering the Future

Grades 11, 12 | Full-Year Course

This course creates the opportunity for new skill development while also relying on knowledge acquired in previous years of Technology classes. This course will focus on  problem solving, coding/programming, and robotics and will also broaden students knowledge of topics including design, modeling, and fabrication. Relying on previous skills like measuring, technical drawing, and 3D modeling, this class will allow students to use the makerspace, computer lab and 3D printers as resources to create valuable solutions to complex problems. Because of their proficiency, students in this class will have more autonomy when using these resources than in previous technology classes.

Prerequisites: 85% average or higher in previous Technology clasS

Technology IV: Creating the Future

Grade 12 | Full-Year Course

Focused on problem solving, students use skills acquired in previous courses to step through the design process and develop solutions. The course serves as a capstone for the Technology sequence and covers topics from addressing local community problems to developing products to manufacturing techniques.

Prerequisites: Maintain 90% or higher in Technology. Passing all subjects.