Inventions and Innovations (Semester)
Mr. Ammon, Room 55
[email protected] 2018-19 School Year
Contact Information
Email: [email protected] (preferred contact)
School Phone: 703-228-5900
Course Description
Students investigate significant inventions and engineering achievements that have impacted
history, advanced society, and altered our world. They explore contemporary technological
issues and problems facing individuals, communities, and the world, and apply systematic
design and development procedures to propose solutions, create innovations, and invent new
products. Unit lessons are planned and developed to integrate Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math (STEM). The curriculum for all CTE courses includes course-specific
skills and competencies as well as the pursuit of “workplace readiness skills”. The exact
competencies for this course can be found on on the Virginia CTE resource website:
http://www.cteresource.org/verso/courses/8464/inventions-and-innovations-tasklist
Units of Study
There are seven units in this 18-week course:
1. Major inventions and innovations
2. Computer aided design and 3D printing
3. Car design and assembly
4. Bridge design and assembly
5. Manufacturing processes
6. Urban planning
7. Robotics
Class Supplies
Students should bring the following to each class period:
● School-issued iPad
● Pen or pencil
● Earbuds (will be provided for students that don’t have a personal pair)
Evaluation and Grading
This class is designated as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course by the Virginia
Department of Education. The curriculum for all CTE courses includes course-specific skills and
competencies including the development of “Workplace Readiness Skills”. The exact
competencies for this course can be found on on the Virginia CTE resource website:
http://www.cteresource.org/verso/courses/8464/inventions-and-innovations-tasklist
Students will be evaluated on their pursuit, acquisition and demonstration of competencies from
the CTE Resource Center that I include in classroom instruction. Student progress is evaluated
on an on-going basis throughout each quarter. I grade on a point system. Please note that
grades reflect student achievement and not student behavior.
Type of Evaluation Value
Formative assessments 5 points (Scored by completion, not accuracy)
In-class Projects (formative) point value determined by length of project
Summative assessments point value determined by length of assessment
Workplace readiness skills 5 points per week
APS Grading Scale
Letter Grade Percentage Quality
Points
A 90 – 100 4.0
B+ 87-89 3.5
B 80-86 3.0
C+ 77-79 2.5
C 70-76 2.0
D+ 67-69 1.5
D 60-66 1.0
E 0-59 0.0
Notes:
● Grades reflect student achievement, not behavior.
● Quarterly grades will round up when the percentage is .5 or higher.
Absences
It is extremely important that you attend school regularly. Although you may be able to make up
work that you missed, nothing can replace the learning that takes place in the classroom. If you
miss a class, you have the responsibility to make up the work that you missed. Please check
Canvas - you will find that it is very easy to keep up with all assigned work! You must complete
assignments and tests within the same number of days that you missed. Please check
your Canvas to view what you missed the day(s) of your absence.
Academic Honesty:
Students are expected to adhere to the TJMS Academic Honesty Policy. See the TJMS Student
Handbook for more information
Classroom Expectations:
1. Students will demonstrate respectful behavior to peers, teachers and themselves.
2. Students will try their best.
3. Students will wait for permission before using the classroom computers.
4. Students will use the computers properly and take care of them.
a. Stay inside APS firewall
b. Leave computers turned on
c. Only use applications or websites specified by the teacher, unless given
permission to do otherwise
5. Students will give attention to the teacher when he is talking to the class.
6. Students will keep food and drinks off of the computer tables and away from the
computers.
7. Students will keep cell phones and other personal electronic turned off and put away
unless given permission to use them during class.
8. Students will be responsible for the condition and functionality of equipment (computers,
textbooks, resources) while they are using them.
9. Students will practice good safety habits in the classroom.
10. Students will follow the “golden rule”, treating others the way they want to be treated.
Communication and Reporting Methods
ParentVue – I will use this platform to record and share grades with parents.
Email/phone - I will contact parents via email or phone as necessary, but not as a matter of
routine. I do not have ability to email students unless a student initiates the email exchange.
Canvas – This learning platform is for students and teachers, however it is available on the
Internet so students can show our Canvas class to their families. Canvas will be used to assign
and submit assignments; administer quizzes; store learning materials like videos, scripts, and
handouts; post announcements; and collaborate with classmates.
