Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering: Principles of Technology and Design

Course Description:

The building trades course is designed to give students experience with tools, materials, equipment and terminology commonly employed in the field of construction trades.

Course Standards:

Standard 1: The student will be able to understand and demonstrate the proper safety practices pertaining to building trades.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will comply with established safety policies and regulations.
2. The student will properly lift heavy objects.
3. The student will assume responsibility for the personal safety of self and others.
4. The student will maintain a clean and safe work environment.
5. The student will wear protective safety equipment as required.
6. The student will operate equipment in a safe manner.
7. The student will report malfunctions to appropriate personnel.

Standard 2: The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of measurements.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will be able to read measurements on a carpenter’s rule.
2. The student will demonstrate the ability to measure objects.
3. The student will use basic measuring tools and the 3-4-5 method to lay out the perimeter of a building.

Standard 3: The student will demonstrate a working knowledge of blueprints and specifications.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will read and understand light construction plans.
2. The student will understand the importance of completion deadlines.
3. The student will demonstrate the ability to read written specifications.

Standard 4: The student will identify lumber and other building materials used in the construction industry.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will identify lumber and other common construction materials.
2. The student will demonstrate the ability to compute construction materials quantities.

Standard 5: The student will display proper knowledge of tools used in the construction industry.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will be able to identify appropriate tools of the trade.
2. The student will demonstrate proper tool usage.

Standard 6: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the proper layout of the construction site.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will demonstrate an ability to interpret a plot plan.
2. The student will be able to erect batter boards and locate building lines for a structure.

Standard 7: The student will demonstrate and understand the necessary skills for footings and foundations for residential construction.

Benchmark:

• The student will be able to identify foundation systems.

Standard 8: The student will understand and demonstrate basic floor framing skills.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will identify and describe the function of floor framing members.
2. The student will be able to layout and assemble a floor frame system.

Standard 9: The student will understand and demonstrate basic wall framing techniques.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will identify and describe the function of wall framing members.
2. The student will be able to layout and construct a wall.
3. The student will be able to apply appropriate wall sheathing.

Standard 10: The student will understand and demonstrate basic roof system techniques.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will identify common types of roofs.
2. The student will identify roof vent systems.
3. The student will layout and assemble a trussed roof.
4. The student will apply appropriate roof sheathing.
5. The student will apply appropriate roofing materials.

Standard 11: The student will understand and demonstrate basic knowledge of exterior construction and installation.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will identify window and door systems.
2. The student will install windows and doors.
3. The student will identify different soffit systems.
4. The student will install soffit systems.
5. The student will identify siding applications.
6. The student will install siding.

Standard 12: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the materials used for interior finishing and the applications of these materials.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will install sheetrock.
2. The student will identify common interior door systems.
3. The student will install pre-hung doors.
4. The student will install cabinets.
5. The student will install appropriate interior trim.
6. The student will install shelving material.

Integrated Academic Minnesota Mathematics Standards

Standard: The student will apply skills of mathematical representation, communication and reasoning.

Benchmark:

• The student will support mathematical results by explaining why the steps in a solution are valid and why a particular solution method is appropriate.

Standard: The student will use real numbers, represented in a variety of ways, to quantify information and to solve real-world and mathematical problems and appropriately use calculators and other technologies to solve problems.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will apply the correct order of operations and grouping symbols when using calculators and other technologies.
2. The student will recognize the impact of units such as degrees and radians on calculations.
3. The student will understand that use of a calculator requires appropriate mathematical reasoning and does not replace the need for mental computation.

Standard: The student will solve simple equations and inequalities numerically, graphically, and symbolically. Use recursion to model and solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will find equations of a line given two points on the line, a point and the slope of the line or the slope and the y-intercept of the line.
    
2. The student will understand how slopes can be used to determine whether lines are parallel or perpendicular. Given a line and a point not on the line, find the equations for the lines passing through that point and parallel or perpendicular to the given line.

Standard: The student will use appropriate counting procedures, calculate probabilities in various ways and apply theoretical probability concepts to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will select and apply appropriate counting procedures to solve real-world and mathematical problems, including probability problems.
    
2. The student will use area, trees, unions and intersections to calculate probabilities and relate the results to mutual exclusiveness, independence and conditional probabilities, in real-world and mathematical problems.
    
3. The student will for simple probability models, determine the expected values of random variables.

Standard: The student will use models to represent and understand two- and three-dimensional shapes and how various motions affect them. Recognize the relationship between different representations of the same shape.

Benchmark:

• The student will use models and visualization to understand and represent three-dimensional objects and their cross sections from different perspectives.

Standard: The student will apply basic theorems of plane geometry, right triangle trigonometry, coordinate geometry and a variety of visualization tools to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will know and use properties of two- and three-dimensional figures to solve real-world and mathematical problems such as: finding area, perimeter, volume and surface area; applying direct or indirect methods of measurement; the Pythagorean theorem and its converse; and properties of 45°-45° -90° and 30° -60° -90° triangles.
    
2. The student will apply the basic concepts of right triangle trigonometry including sine, cosine and tangent to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
    
3. The student will perform basic constructions with a straightedge and compass.
    
4. The student will draw accurate representations of planar figures using a variety of tools.

Integrated Minnesota Academic Language Arts Standards

Standard: The student will understand the meaning of information, expository or persuasive texts, using a variety of strategies and will demonstrate literal, interpretive, inferential and evaluative comprehension.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will monitor comprehension and know when and how to use strategies to clarify the understanding of a selection.
    
2. The student will comprehend and evaluate the purpose, accuracy, comprehensiveness, and usefulness of informational materials.
    
3. The student will analyze and draw accurate conclusions about information contained in warranties, contracts, job descriptions, technical descriptions and other informational sources, selected from labels, warnings, manuals, directions, applications and forms in order to complete specific tasks.
    
4. The student will make inferences and draw conclusions based on explicit and implied information from texts.
    
5. The student will synthesize information from multiple selections in order to draw conclusions, make predictions, and form interpretations.

Integrated Minnesota Academic Science Standards

Standard: The student will understand the relationship between science and technology and how both are used.

Benchmarks:

1. The student will compare and contrast the purposes and career opportunities of engineering, technology and science.
    
2. The student will provide an example of a need or problem identified by science and solved by engineering or technology.
    
3. The student will provide an example of how technology facilitates new discoveries and the development of scientific knowledge.
    
4. The student will know that technological changes and scientific advances are often accompanied by social, political, environmental and economic changes.
    
5. The student will recognize that science and technology are influenced by cultural backgrounds and beliefs and by social needs, attitudes, values and limitations.

Entire List of Curriculum Activities