Courses
Engineering 1 – Fundamentals of Engineering
Engineering 1 introduces students to the core ideas, practices, and tools of engineering through hands-on, project-based learning. Students explore the engineering design process, learn how to identify problems and develop solutions, and use engineering notebooks to document their work. They study mechanical engineering concepts such as measurement, sketching, CAD modeling, and part design, and they build real projects that reinforce these skills. The course also introduces students to computer science and electrical systems through game design and simple circuits, giving a broad foundation across fields. Later units expand into architecture and civil engineering ideas, helping students see how engineering connects to many careers and real-world challenges. Throughout the year, students apply math, science, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills to solve problems and create functional designs, preparing them for advanced engineering coursework and future careers in STEM.
Engineering 2 – Engineering Applications
Engineering 2 builds on foundational skills from Engineering 1 by introducing students to the real applications of engineering principles across multiple domains. In this course, students explore mechanisms and simple machines, learning how levers, gears, wheels, pulleys, and compound systems work and how to design these systems using CAD software. They also dive into electronics and programming, using tools like TinkerCAD and Arduino to understand circuits, sensors, and code that control devices. The class progresses into electromechanical systems where students study motors, feedback devices, and control systems while completing hands-on projects such as mechanical builds that integrate electrical and mechanical components. Throughout the year, students use critical thinking, collaboration, engineering notebooks, and design challenges to connect theory to real engineering problems, preparing them for advanced robotics and engineering pathways.
Robotics One (Engineering 3) -
Robotics 1 challenges students to apply engineering design, fabrication, and programming skills to real robotic systems. Students begin by exploring what robots are and how they work, then build foundations in electronics, servos, control systems, and CAD. They fabricate key mechanical components such as a sheet-metal chassis and assemble the Lindbot robot, learning hands-on techniques for wiring, mechanical design, and rapid prototyping using 3D printing and CNC tools. Later units introduce mobile systems, sensors, interrupt-driven control, PCB design, and advanced behaviors like autonomous navigation and robot games. Throughout the course, students refine their engineering notebooks, collaborate on complex problems, and complete projects that connect theory to real-world robotics practice, preparing them for Robotics 2 and advanced engineering pathways.
Robotics 2 (Engineering 4a) -
Digital Electronics (Engineering 4b) -
Architecture and Civil Engineering (Engineering 4c) -
Web Design I
Web Design and Development 1 is a foundational course that provides students with practical, hands-on experience in modern front-end web creation, covering the core technologies, design principles, and professional practices used in the industry. Students will master HTML for structuring content, CSS for styling, layout (including Flexbox and responsive design with media queries), and JavaScript for adding interactivity, while also learning the Design Process, including UI planning with wireframes and brand boards. The course emphasizes essential skills like debugging, using development tools like IDEs and GitHub, and understanding professional context, including accessibility and web ethics.
Web Design II
This course builds on the fundamentals of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to help students create sophisticated, responsive, and visually engaging websites. Students explore advanced layout techniques, accessibility, animation, design systems, and interactive JavaScript features while learning industry-standard workflows such as wireframing and version control. Through a series of hands-on projects, they develop stronger problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of front-end development. The course concludes with a multi-page final project showcasing each student’s ability to design, build, and present a professional-quality website.
Exploring Computer Science
This course offers a broad introduction to Computer Science, designed to explore diverse career opportunities through engaging and accessible topics while simultaneously developing essential critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills. The curriculum covers key areas, beginning with Human-Computer Interaction to understand computer components and issues of privacy and security on the Internet. Students then become "computational thinkers" in the Problem Solving unit by applying techniques to create solutions, including an introduction to algorithms. The course moves into practical application with Web Design, where students plan and code web pages, and Intro to Programming, where they design algorithms and create programming solutions using the Scratch application. Students will demonstrate their learning through various real-world application projects across all units.
Networking 1 and 2
Computer networks are all around us, from the network in our school to the network of networks, the Internet. These courses will introduce students to computers and how computers altered the way we work and increased productivity, changed how we communicate and revolutionized how we share information.
Using hardware and software, students will design, implement, and troubleshoot issues with computer networks in virtual and physical implementations. Security and protection of data transport will be introduced through defensive cybersecurity techniques and system administration. Activities in virtual networked environments will be complemented by hands-on experience using real-life computers, media and network devices.
Building on skills developed in Computer Networking 1, students in Computer Networking 2 will use technical documentation to hone their hardware, software and troubleshooting skills in setting up routed network environments. Replicating real-world server and client scenarios will allow students to explore how the internet works while investigating a career in computer networking and IT.
Game Programming I and II
This pathway offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in game programming through the design, development, and deployment of games for arcade machines using Java and Processing. Students will work directly with the game programming class to create interactive, engaging games tailored for arcade systems. Students will learn to apply principles of game design, physics, AI, and hardware integration to build immersive experiences that run on specialized arcade hardware. Students work with github collaboration software to experience software development with a professional workflow on large group projects.
Dual Credit Computer Programming I through Illinois Tech
Students study the traditional CS1 curriculum with labs and exams created by professors from IIT, earning college credit for IIT's CS115 Object Oriented Programming Course. Basic Java Programming is covered including datatypes, control, class design, iterative loops, and arrays.