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Location & Contact Details

Office Hours

Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Address:

West Catholic High School
1801 Bristol Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Events Calendar

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Engineering and Innovation

Program Goal: To elevate the world around us by developing critical thinkers that can solve complex problems through the application of knowledge and processes

Students will:

  • Engage in strategies for solving real-world problems (engineering design process, design thinking)

  • Gain real-world experience with mechanical, electrical, programming and control systems

  • Research, design, prototype, build and program robotic creations

  • Learn the importance of communication, deadlines, group dynamics and feedback through the management of team projects

  • Recognize the importance of ethical decision-making in the fields of technology and engineering

  • Explore careers in the fields of engineering and emerging technologies

*All Engineering and Innovation courses are elective courses; however, students must earn a minimum of 1 credit hour in either Computer Science courses, Engineering and Innovation courses, Fine Arts courses, Instrumental and Vocal Music, or Media Arts and Design courses (or a combination of these courses) prior to graduation.

Freshman Courses

Design Thinking

Course Number:  C143
Open to grades:  9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This is a hands-on course in which students employ the design process to solve problems. Students will explore various technologies through problem-based projects. Professional communication, collaboration, prototyping, design ethics, emerging technologies and programmable/robotic devices will be major areas of focus for the course. Students will have the opportunity to work with new technologies, tools and machines in this course.

Robotics 1

Course Number:  C144
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: Robotics I allows students to design, program, and test innovative technological designs related to robotic systems. Topics involve mechanics, pneumatics, control technologies, computer fundamentals, and programmable control technologies. Students will design, build, and optimize robots to perform a variety of predesignated tasks. Students will also investigate aspects of the various industries related to robotics design and innovation.

Robotics 2

Course Number:  C145
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit (Course may be repeated for credit only)
Prerequisite:  Robotics I or Teacher Approval
Course Description:  In Robotics II students will further apply the safety, design, building, and programming skills learned in Robotics I.  Additional emphasis will be placed on the design process, team objectives, team specialization, communication, strategy, and optimization.  Students will work in partnership with the West Catholic FIRST Robotics team (Enigma #2075) on various design and competition challenges. Experience with mechanical, electronic, pneumatic, and control systems will all be applied through the design and development of a robot that will meet unique design challenges. Individuals or small teams may choose to participate in organized robotic competitions or develop their own events during the course. Students will also explore collegiate programs of study and careers in related industries.

Sophomore Courses

Design Thinking

Course Number:  C143
Open to grades:  9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This is a hands-on course in which students employ the design process to solve problems. Students will explore various technologies through problem-based projects. Professional communication, collaboration, prototyping, design ethics, emerging technologies and programmable/robotic devices will be major areas of focus for the course. Students will have the opportunity to work with new technologies, tools and machines in this course.

Robotics 1

Course Number:  C144
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: Robotics I allows students to design, program, and test innovative technological designs related to robotic systems. Topics involve mechanics, pneumatics, control technologies, computer fundamentals, and programmable control technologies. Students will design, build, and optimize robots to perform a variety of predesignated tasks. Students will also investigate aspects of the various industries related to robotics design and innovation.

Robotics 2

Course Number:  C145
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit (Course may be repeated for credit only)
Prerequisite:  Robotics I or Teacher Approval
Course Description:  In Robotics II students will further apply the safety, design, building, and programming skills learned in Robotics I.  Additional emphasis will be placed on the design process, team objectives, team specialization, communication, strategy, and optimization.  Students will work in partnership with the West Catholic FIRST Robotics team (Enigma #2075) on various design and competition challenges. Experience with mechanical, electronic, pneumatic, and control systems will all be applied through the design and development of a robot that will meet unique design challenges. Individuals or small teams may choose to participate in organized robotic competitions or develop their own events during the course. Students will also explore collegiate programs of study and careers in related industries.

Junior Courses

Design Thinking

Course Number:  C143
Open to grades:  9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This is a hands-on course in which students employ the design process to solve problems. Students will explore various technologies through problem-based projects. Professional communication, collaboration, prototyping, design ethics, emerging technologies and programmable/robotic devices will be major areas of focus for the course. Students will have the opportunity to work with new technologies, tools and machines in this course.

Pre Engineering

Course Number:  E205
Open to grades: ​ 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  Department Approval Required
Course Description:  This course will provide students with an overall view of the three main threads of engineering: Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical. This includes an introduction to the engineering design process and resource design tools by means of projects, lectures and homework. Team projects require application of creativity, engineering analysis and computational tools. Reading, lectures and discussions also examine the areas of technology in society, engineering ethics and library research methods. The computer and various software tools are introduced and used for this course.

Robotics 1

Course Number:  C144
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: Robotics I allows students to design, program, and test innovative technological designs related to robotic systems. Topics involve mechanics, pneumatics, control technologies, computer fundamentals, and programmable control technologies. Students will design, build, and optimize robots to perform a variety of predesignated tasks. Students will also investigate aspects of the various industries related to robotics design and innovation.

Robotics 2

Course Number:  C145
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit (Course may be repeated for credit only)
Prerequisite:  Robotics I or Teacher Approval
Course Description:  In Robotics II students will further apply the safety, design, building, and programming skills learned in Robotics I.  Additional emphasis will be placed on the design process, team objectives, team specialization, communication, strategy, and optimization.  Students will work in partnership with the West Catholic FIRST Robotics team (Enigma #2075) on various design and competition challenges. Experience with mechanical, electronic, pneumatic, and control systems will all be applied through the design and development of a robot that will meet unique design challenges. Individuals or small teams may choose to participate in organized robotic competitions or develop their own events during the course. Students will also explore collegiate programs of study and careers in related industries.

Senior Courses

Design Thinking

Course Number:  C143
Open to grades:  9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This is a hands-on course in which students employ the design process to solve problems. Students will explore various technologies through problem-based projects. Professional communication, collaboration, prototyping, design ethics, emerging technologies and programmable/robotic devices will be major areas of focus for the course. Students will have the opportunity to work with new technologies, tools and machines in this course.

Pre Engineering

Course Number:  E205
Open to grades: ​ 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Prerequisite:  Department Approval Required
Course Description:  This course will provide students with an overall view of the three main threads of engineering: Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical. This includes an introduction to the engineering design process and resource design tools by means of projects, lectures and homework. Team projects require application of creativity, engineering analysis and computational tools. Reading, lectures and discussions also examine the areas of technology in society, engineering ethics and library research methods. The computer and various software tools are introduced and used for this course.

Robotics 1

Course Number:  C144
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: Robotics I allows students to design, program, and test innovative technological designs related to robotic systems. Topics involve mechanics, pneumatics, control technologies, computer fundamentals, and programmable control technologies. Students will design, build, and optimize robots to perform a variety of predesignated tasks. Students will also investigate aspects of the various industries related to robotics design and innovation.

Robotics 2

Course Number:  C145
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit (Course may be repeated for credit only)
Prerequisite:  Robotics I or Teacher Approval
Course Description:  In Robotics II students will further apply the safety, design, building, and programming skills learned in Robotics I.  Additional emphasis will be placed on the design process, team objectives, team specialization, communication, strategy, and optimization.  Students will work in partnership with the West Catholic FIRST Robotics team (Enigma #2075) on various design and competition challenges. Experience with mechanical, electronic, pneumatic, and control systems will all be applied through the design and development of a robot that will meet unique design challenges. Individuals or small teams may choose to participate in organized robotic competitions or develop their own events during the course. Students will also explore collegiate programs of study and careers in related industries.