Department of Technology

Course: Mechanical/Civil Pre-Engineering

Teacher: Ms. Stowell
Phone: 407.320.6150 ext. 56197
Email: stoweldb@myscps.us
Course Location: Building 2, Room 2-110
Textbook: There is no formal textbook for this course.
Course Description: This course begins the development of the knowledge base, communication skills,
interpersonal skills, and technological skills necessary in the mechanical and civil engineering professions. The
student will become aware of and understand the engineering design process as it applies to the mechanical and
civil engineering disciplines. Hands on projects, group activities, and the use of technology are an integral part
of this course. The areas of emphasis include the engineering process, simple machines, structures, and career
choices. This course is open to students in grades 6, 7, and 8. There is no prerequisite course for
Mechanical/Civil Pre-Engineering.
Course Outline: (Topics and activities may not occur in this order due to the number of Mechanical/Civil
Engineering courses taught in any given semester)
I. Introduction
A. Classroom Rules and Procedures
B. Safety Contract and Syllabus
C. What is Engineering?
D. Types of Engineers
II. Simple and complex machines
A. Levers
1.The student will understand that there are six types of simple machines.
2. The student will be able to construct the three classes of levers.
3. The student will be able to identify each type of lever and explain how levers change work.
4. The student will be able to construct a deck chair.
5. The student will be able to construct a drawbridge.
6. The student will be able to construct a drumming machine (non motorized and motorized).
7. The student will be able to construct windshield wipers (non motorized and motorized).
8. The student will be able to design and construct a drum pedal using levers.
9. The student will be able to design and construct a hospital bed using levers.
B. Wheels and Axles
1. The student will understand how wheels and axles are used in machines.
2. The student will be able to construct simple wheeled models for moving heavy loads.
3. The student will be able to construct simple wheeled models with single and separate axles.
4. The student will be able to construct a wheeled vehicle with a flywheel.
5. The student will be able to construct a motorized vehicle and use various sizes of wheels to
compare speed.
6. The student will be able to construct a roller conveyor (non motorized and motorized).
7. The student will be able to design and build a machine to squeeze water out of a wet cloth.
8. The student will be able to design and build a sail car.
9. The student will be able to design and build a mechanism with a hand crank to pull a car up a
ramp.
C. Gears
1. The student will understand how gears are used in machines.
2. The student will be able to construct several mechanisms with gears.
3. The student will be able to construct a merry go round (non motorized and motorized).
4. The student will be able to construct a geared turnstile.
5. The student will be able to design and build a mixing mechanism.
6. The student will be able to design and build a load lifting mechanism.

7. The student will be able to design and build a spinning sign.

D. Pulleys
1. The student will understand how pulleys are used in machines.
2. The student will investigate the speed and direction of movement of pulley arrangements.
3. The student will construct a conveyor belt (non motorized and motorized).
4. The student will construct a crane (non motorized and motorized).
5. The student will design and build a mechanism to open and close a garage door.
6. The student will create a simple machine model with a worm gear, gear rack, and cam wheel.
III. Structures
A. History of Bridges
B. Planning a Bridge
C. Forces
D. Arches
E. Columns and Beams
F. Cables
G. Materials for Bridges
H. Modern Bridge Design
I. Types of Trusses
Assignments will include written class assignments, class activities, and projects. There is no homework for this
course.
Grading Scale:

90 100
80 89
70 79
60 69
0 59

A
B
C
D
F

Grading Rubric:

60% Daily Class Assignments

20% Class Starter Activity
20% Class Participation

There will be a standards based assessment at the end of the course that will be counted as 20% of the students grade.
Participation points will be deducted for unexcused absences.
Classroom Rules:
1. Be on time, be in your seat, and be prepared to work before the tardy bell rings.
2. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
3. Be respectful to each other and each adult.
4. Be respectful of each others property and each adults property.
5. No food or drink is permitted in the classroom.
6. No horseplay will be tolerated.
Consequences:
1. Verbal warning
2. Parent contact
3. Parent phone call
It is expected that each student will behave responsibly and courteously at all times and give honest effort to all course
work. I look forward to working with your student this semester. Please feel free to contact me. Please feel free to
visit our classroom.
Sincerely,
Ms. Stowell
Please complete and return the form below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have reviewed the Mechanical/Civil Pre-Engineering course syllabus.
Student Name ________________________________________________

Period _______________

Parent Signature ______________________________________________

Date ________________