Suggested Objective a: Identify course expectations, school policies, and program policies related to STEM Applications

Course Description

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Applications is an innovative instructional program that prepares students to engage in future academic and vocational courses of study in high school, community college, and institutions of higher learning. Students in STEM Applications complete study in technology literacy, the design process, emerging technologies, computer-aided design, sustainable design and technology, power and energy, robotics simulation, financial and economic literacy, and workplace skills for the 21st century. The STEM Applications curriculum framework is built upon 21st Century Skills Standards, ACT College Readiness Standards, and the National Educational Technology Standards for Students.

Student Prerequisites

Students should be enrolled as ninth graders in order to take STEM Applications.

Introduction

Development of the STEM Applications curriculum arose from the growing career opportunities in this area. As technology grows, so grows the need for an educated and competent workforce. Though Mississippi offers secondary and post-secondary programs that focus on the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, a need for an introductory course materialized. Students need the opportunity to be introduced to the concepts associated with the STEM area before they choose a specialty area. Additionally, the concepts discussed in STEM Applications are those that will be beneficial to all students in future endeavors, whether they choose academic or career and technical education.

Lab Rules

There are many rules and procedures that are to be followed in the STEM computer lab. We will discuss school handbook, specific classroom lab procedures for this course, and some safety procedures that are school wide. School wide safety procedures include fire and tornado drills. Click the link to open a Word document of procedures and guidelines we will follow. Feel free to make notes as we discuss each item.

Lab procedures & guidelines revised.docx

COMPUTER LAB RULES:

1.	Follow all directions given and bring necessary supplies to class.
2.	Bringing food (gum and candy), drinks, or computer disks into the lab is not allowed.
3.	Do not "roll" around the classroom or "spin" in their chairs. Adjust your chair only once during the class period. Do not lean back in the chairs.
4.	No personal grooming is allowed in the computer lab.
5.	Talking or keyboarding while the instructor is talking is not allowed. Raise hand for permission to speak.
6.	Cheating of any type will not be tolerated and will result with a "0" grade.
7.	Keep the floor area around your work station clear. Notebooks and purses must be kept in assigned area.
8.	Do not engage in "practical jokes" in the classroom.
9.	Take proper care of the equipment assigned to you.
10.	Check your station upon arrival and report any equipment malfunction or irregularity to the instructor immediately.
11.	Work only on assigned tasks unless otherwise approved by instructor.

Suggested Objectives b and c: Identify, describe, and demonstrate the importance of safety and the proper use of lab equipment and describe the operating procedures for the equipment utilized in the course

Computer Lab

It is important to maintain safety in a computer lab. This safety applies to people as well as to the computers. Click the link below to visit the GCF Learn Free website to learn more about computer safety and maintenance. Many pages have videos or other activities to complete.

Computer Basics - Computer Safety and Maintenance (Links to an external site.)

Page 1 of the GCF page discusses the importance of keeping the computer clean. Five tips are provided for cleaning the keyboard. Be sure to watch the video on page 1.

Page 2 discusses cleaning the mouse. Four steps for cleaning a mouse are provided. Look closely at the pictures.

Page 3 demonstrates how to clean the monitor. There are three important steps in cleaning a monitor. The most important thing to remember is never to spray glass cleaner or other liquid on the monitor!

Page 4 provides tips for cleaning other computer surfaces and the importance of keeping the computer cool.

Page 5 has information for protecting the computer from viruses and other "bad" software. Click the links to learn more about protecting the computer from internal threats.

Pages 6 and 7 have information for backing up the computer and all information stored on the drives. Make sure that you save your work. You do not want to redo work.

Page 8 warns of the importance of creating a safe workspace. Watch the video on this page. Even sitting incorrectly at a computer can cause injury!

Page 9 asks questions to help you recall important points for computer safety and maintenance. If you do not know the answer to a question on this page, look back in the section to refresh yourself on what was stated. It is imperative that you understand the importance of safety and maintenance in the computer lab.

STEM Lab Safety Rules.pptx

Suggested Objective d: Compare and contrast safety issues in the classroom to safety issues in industry

There are many safety issues in industry. Many of the issues are the same in industry as in the classroom. Some are slightly different. Let's take a look at safety issues. As we view different sites and videos, take notes for later recall and discussion.

9 Avoidable Workplace Health and Safety Hazards (Links to an external site.)

Anonymous Employee - Helping You Solve Your Problems at Work (Links to an external site.)

10 Tips for Work Safety (Links to an external site.)

Safety Videos - 10 Commandments of Workplace Safety (Links to an external site.)

Office Safety (Links to an external site.)

Office Ergonomics (Links to an external site.)