Engineering

COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

The Computer Science and Engineering programs at Dalton today provide an opportunity for students to learn how to break down and tackle large challenges. By emphasizing how to embrace experimentation and failure, the program gives students a system for meeting future challenges. In the First Program, educational technologists from the New Lab work closely with faculty to introduce technology tools for learning in purposeful, responsible, and developmentally appropriate ways that support the core curriculum. Within this context, New Lab collaborates with First Program teachers and computer science department colleagues to introduce all K-3 youngsters to the field of computer science. In addition, technologists work with teachers to introduce students to engineering activities. Often these explorations begin as an individual class project that we share with the rest of the grade and division for potential expansion in subsequent years. Critical to both pursuits is a value on the iterative process. The program sees computer science and engineering experiences as tools for Assignments in all subjects for problem solving, self-expression, and collaboration.

Students practice their engineering skills in Dalton’s robotics courses and in various competitions. Recently, each mixed-age class designs, builds, and programs a robot for the FIRST Tech Challenge, an international competition. Fabrication techniques used include 3D printing, laser cutting, milling, and traditional machining. The Dalton Robotics Team has placed in the top one percent and advanced to the World Championship in each of the past many years.

Robotics

Students in this course will get hands-on experience in robotics and project management. Working as members of a team, they will design, build, and program robots for the FIRST Tech Challenge, an international robotics competition. During the course, students will engage in the full engineering process, including conducting research, designing, fabricating prototypes and testing their ideas many times in search of an optimal solution. Although many of the assignments require students to work in a group setting, each student will also be assessed on the effective implementation of this iterative process. Classes meet three times a week and each student is required to attend at least one after-school build session.

Full Year Course, 1.0 credit
Introduction to 3-D modeling and printing

This course is an introduction to 3D printing and parametric modeling software. Students will gain a working knowledge of this process from digital design to physical product. In addition to skill-based instruction, students will be asked to develop personal projects in response to open-ended prompts. Students will be asked to think critically about imagery, functionality and the logic of an object in space. No previous knowledge of 3D printing is necessary. Individuals with an existing interest in art or design are strongly encouraged to take the course.

Meets 1x per week 5:00 to 8:00 PM

Fall Semester Course, 0.50 credits
Engineering & Design Workshop

Students in the Engineering & Design Workshop will have the opportunity to create their own sneakers, consumer electronics, and products for social change. Students will use both traditional and digital tools to design, prototype, and fabricate a consumer product that fits the assigned constraints. The final project will receive feedback from industry professionals. While no prior experience with fabrication is required, students with experience in fabrication software (such as CAD, CAM, 3D printing, or laser cutting) will have an opportunity to further develop and master this skill set.

Fall/Spring Semester Course, 0.50 credits
The Choreography of Technology

In this course, students will choose human movement (either artistic or functional) and program a humanoid robot to do that behavior as realistically as possible. In order to do so, they will need to learn about how the human body moves, the neuroscience behind why we make emotional connections to inanimate objects, and the basics of robotic control systems. The class will meet during the school day and students will schedule time with the robot after school at build sessions. Previous programming and/or dance experience is not required, but students with expertise will have the opportunity to use it.

*cross-listed with Engineering

Prerequisite: Robotics, Computer Science 1, OR a Dance Department course
Spring Semester Course, 0.50 credits

Requires Preapproval
Engineering Project: Peru

In this class, students will be asked to work as an Engineering team to partner with Global Works to design and perform a service project for a Quechua Village outside of Moray in Peru. The village has access to running water for 20 minutes per day from a municipal system that pipes water directly into their homes, and most homes have limited ability to store the water for usage. The students will help design a home water reservoir system that can be built out of locally available parts to Peru and will travel to the village to build them.

Spring Semester Course, 0.5 Credit
Introduction to Digital Fabrication: Art and Design

This course is an introduction to digital fabrication, focusing on 3-D printing and laser cutting. Using Fusion 360 and Adobe Illustrator, students will move through a complete design process from creating a 3-D CAD model to printing and assembling their completed physical objects. In addition to skill-based instruction with the software and tools above, students will develop creative 2-D and 3-D design projects to help them begin to think about how to leverage the unique affordances of this method of working in support of their projects in art and design. Individuals with a current interest in art or design with no previous experience in digital fabrication are strongly encouraged to take the course.

*cross-listed with Visual Arts

Prerequisite: None

Full Year Course, 1.0 credit
Introduction to Digital Fabrication: Art and Design

This course is an introduction to digital fabrication, focusing on 3-D printing and laser cutting. Using Fusion 360 and Adobe Illustrator, students will move through a complete design process from creating a 3-D CAD model to printing and assembling their completed physical objects. In addition to skill-based instruction with the software and tools above, students will develop creative 2-D and 3-D design projects to help them begin to think about how to leverage the unique affordances of this method of working in support of their projects in art and design. Individuals with a current interest in art or design with no previous experience in digital fabrication are strongly encouraged to take the course.

*cross-listed with Visual Arts

Prerequisite: None

Semester Course, 0.5 credits
IS: Engineering

Independent studies are opportunities for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students to pursue ideas and passions not covered by current course work.

Students must complete this form to apply for preapproval.

Requires Preapproval
Graded Pass/Fail
Fall or Spring Semester Course, 0.25 credits
Robotics Intensive

This course is for students passionate about robotics and looking to fully immerse themselves in the field. The course offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in project management and robotics. Students will work collaboratively in a team setting to design, build, and program robotics for the FIRST Tech Challenge. With a focus on the full engineering process, including research, design, prototyping, and testing, students can expect to spend additional time after school to perfect their designs as their team aims to find an optimal solution. Although many assignments require group work, each student will also be assessed on their individual contributions to the iterative process and the team’s journey. With three weekly class meetings and thirty required after-school two-hour build sessions over the duration of the course. The course is designed for students willing to dedicate significant time to their individual and team experience. Students must attend the two-day all-day Kickoff retreat that occurs during the first weekend back from school.
Wooden Puppet Workshop

Wooden Puppet Workshop is a course that combines illustration, woodcarving, design and engineering skills to bring wood puppets to life. Students will learn wood carving, character design and puppetry mechanics including pivot systems, hand rods, and articulation to build wooden puppets. Projects will include wood carving lessons using various carving tools focused on carving straight grain and on a curve in order to craft tabletop and rod puppets along with other forms of puppet articulation. Each project will culminate in a working puppet. The class is open to students 9th - 12th grade students, no wood carving experience needed.

Fall/Spring Semester Course, 0.50 credits
Woodworking

The woodworking course introduces students to a variety of small projects that help to safely learn shop tools and etiquette. We will utilize tools such as the table saw, bandsaw, and sanders as students work through various stages of the wood working process. Over the course of this semester, the central project will be building a 12' solo canoe. Students will learn how to assemble the canoe as well as a range of applications for epoxy from adhesive to fiberglassing. Other projects may include creating their own canoe paddle or custom cutting board. The class is open to students 9th - 12th grade students, no wood working experience needed.
Woodworking Workshop

This class builds upon the principles and techniques of prior woodworking courses and offers opportunities to explore more complex projects such as tables and chairs. This course allows the freedom for students to explore projects of interest while building confidence in woodworking. Additionally, commissions from the school may be offered, giving students the opportunity to work through the design and construction process for a client.

Open to 10th-12th students
Full Year Course, 1.0 credit
Woodworking: Hand Tools

Woodcarving focuses on the principles and techniques of woodcarving with knives and hand tools. Fundamental skills will include safety procedures, the properties of wood, proper usage of hand tools such as knives and gouges, and finishing techniques. Students will learn to transform blocks of wood into a variety of objects, such as chopsticks, spoons, bowls, and figures. As skills are developed, the possibilities for projects will expand.

Open to 9th-12th students, offered both semesters.

Fall/Spring Semester Course, 0.50 credits
Woodworking: Power Tools

This class focuses on the principles and techniques of woodworking. Students will learn essential safety practices and techniques while developing proficiency with a variety of power tools such as the bandsaw, table saw, mitre saw, and sanders. Utilizing elements of design and engineering, projects will focus on the properties of wood along with woodworking techniques in joinery, lamination, construction, and finishing. Students will work on various projects, such as boxes, frames, game boards and lamps, giving them an introduction to woodworking and the confidence to use the shop. Additionally, commissions from around the school may present themselves, offering students the opportunity to work through the design and construction process for a client.

Open to 9th-12th students, offered both semesters.

Fall/Spring Semester Course, 0.50 credits