Engineering Department
Engineering Department
Welcome to the West Campus Engineering Department! Follow us on Instagram @westcampusengineering. The emphasis is to get the students to be problem solvers using teamwork, a problem-solving process, and creativity.
Change brings new possibilities. The focus for this year will be “Engineers Impacting the Community” and “Design as a Process”.
Mr. Brown is the engineering instructor for 1st, 2nd, and 4th year engineering. Mr. Spycher teaches the 3rd year of engineering. Mr. Brown also runs the AP Computer Science classes.
CREATE, Rocketry, Robotics, and
GirlsWhoCode.
CREATE Google Classroom code for 2022-23 school
year. https://classroom.google.com/c/NDk2Mzc4ODEzMjg5?cjc=eawupwr
Rocketry Google Classroom code for 2022-23
school year. https://classroom.google.com/c/NDA1ODAzMTM4NDc4?cjc=7b7bhsg
Robotics Google Classroom code for 2022-23
school year. https://classroom.google.com/c/NTMzOTQzODE1MzIw?cjc=m2a2vey
If you’d like to participate in one of these programs for next
year (2022-23) please fill out the
Robotics, Rocketry, and GirlsWhoCode Interest form. You
don’t have to be in the engineering classes to participate.
We need leaders to make these programs a success. Leadership is
one of those qualities that scholarships and college applications
are looking for. Plus, there’s nothing more rewarding than being
part of a successful program.
Parents - We are also looking for mentors
and experts for Rocketry, Robotics, and Programming. Parents and
other Business professionals are highly encouraged to participate
in these programs as mentors and trainers. We also need
volunteers to help with everything from chaperoning, planning,
and helping with acquiring materials and supplies. Email Mr.
Brown at mica-brown@scusd.edu
Engineering Classes:
- Year 1 – Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
- Year 2 – Principles of Engineering - (POE)
- Year 3 – Civil Engineering & Architecture (CEA)
- Year 4 – Engineering Design & Development (EDD)
AP Computer Science Classes (Class opens July 3 if you
want to get started)
The AP Computer Science classes are open to all students at west
campus in all grade levels. Students can also take the class
as independent study. Here is the Google
Classroom code for the 2022-23 school
year. o6i5vc4
The class is online and taught through www.projectstem.org. It is
supported by Amazon for our school. Here is the Class Code to get
more information and to sign up. Curriculum will be available to
students in August.
- AP Computer Science Principles class (Open to all students)
- AP Computer Science A class (Open to all students)
Students are not required to start with Year 1 engineering but are encouraged to do so. Year 4 engineering is only open to students who have taken two or more years of engineering.
We have three additional clubs/afterschool programs for the engineering students.
- CREATE program. This is a student led team. All engineering students are invited to participate.
- Rocketry program. Link to learn more
- Girls Who Code. Link to learn more
Year 1 – Introduction to Engineering Design
(IED)
First-year engineering students learn the process of
engineering and applying that process with others. They
learn how to create ideas, design, test, revise, innovate,
understand underlying principals and properties, work together,
and present their projects. These are not worksheets; they are
designed for students to develop their own areas of skills and
knowledge.
- Engineering Units: 3D design, software engineering, architecture, graphics, reverse engineering, sketching, brainstorming, presenting, competitions, communication, problem solving, final project.
- End-of-year project: Students prepare all year for this. They solve a problem that challenges them to use and enhance skills and knowledge from their previous projects. They will present these projects to all students during Engineering Day at the end of May.
- Value: Students learn the value of the skills and knowledge in each of their projects.
Examples of work for first year students can be found in the side panel.
Year 2 – Principles of Engineering (POE)
Second-year engineering students take a more hands-on approach to
learning. Projects are designed by the students so they can learn
specific skills and knowledge.
- Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation. Students develop skills in problem solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation.
- End-of-year project: Students design a project that solves a problem that challenges them to use and enhance skills and knowledge from their previous projects. They present these projects to all students during Engineering Day at the end of May.
- Value: Students learn the value of the skills and knowledge in each of their projects.
- Each student acquires at least one eMentor to advise and assist them in gaining insight and knowledge about their area of interest. They are also required to find outside experts for their end-of-year project.
Year 3 – Civil Engineering &
Architecture (CEA)
Students learn important aspects of building and site design and
development. They apply math, science, and standard engineering
practices to design both residential and commercial projects and
document their work using 3-D architectural design software.
Year 4 – Engineering Design & Development
(EDD)
The knowledge and skills students acquire throughout PLTW
Engineering come together in Engineering Design & Development as
they identify issues and then research, design, and test a
solution, ultimately presenting their solution to a panel of
parents and outside experts. Students apply the professional
skills they have developed to document a design process to
standards, completing Engineering Design & Development ready to
take on any post-secondary program or career.
For more information contact:
Mr. Brown
Engineering, Programming, & Technology Teacher
mica-brown@scusd.edu
American Rocketry Challenge
2019/2020
Students have formed a team for the American Rocketry Challenge. 2019-20 will be our first year competing in this contest.
Teams of 3-10 students will design and build a rocket in order to qualify for the contest. Contest rules are at https://rocketcontest.org. This program will go through April or May 2020. Our first meeting was held on Wednesday, Sept. 25th, at lunch in Room 73.
The team meets after school Fridays in room 73.
CREATE Engineering Program
After school in Room 73
CREATE is an afterschool program supported by Sacramento Builders Exchange.
- Students work with mentors from the building industry, competing against other high schools in the Sacramento region.
- The 2021 program met after school, for one hour, on Wednesdays in Room 73.
- Mentors from the building industry support the program.
- The final competition is held in December each year.
About the CREATE Program: