Valley STEM + ME2 Academy-Coursework

Mission: To prepare students with the skills necessary to compete in the global economy while nurturing the characteristics of discovery, invention, application, and entrepreneurship.

The curriculum in Valley STEM + ME2 Academy was chosen to guide students in the mission of the program. Data from the current job market, student interests, and college/career readiness guides curriculum choices. Valley STEM + ME2 incorporates Project Lead the Way (PLTW) as the foundation for part of the curriculum. Project Lead The Way is the nation’s leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. In addition to PLTW, Advanced Career/Clean Energy Technology will be taught throughout the two-year program.

Course Catalog & Descriptions 2023-2024

Sophomore Lab Elective Choices

This course will be focused on Subtractive Manufacturing, we will work with the CNC Mill, Lathe and CNC Router. Students will get a better understanding of Pneumatic systems and power transmission systems. Students will work with 3D modeling and 3D printers to create projects. Plastic Injection molding will be taught as well. Students will then work on projects that utilize all these skills.

Students will learn to work with and code a 6-axis robot, including using inputs and outputs to drive the code, create and use electronic circuits, become familiar with physical computing, and work on wiring and coding basic PLC devices.  Students will also work with the engineering design process to create and code their own robotic projects.  Students may be exposed to robotC, python, html, and ladder logic in an attempt to understand how to effectively communicate and utilize computers to accomplish tasks.

In Advanced STEM, students will work on advanced STEM projects, these include skills learned in the lab and beyond. Students can choose projects that they want to do and run equipment they want to run. 
The Industrial Maintenance component will require students to complete projects for customers, this may include quoting, designing and manufacturing parts for customers. Entrepreneurship will be another area of focus, students will start to get an understanding of how business works, how items are priced, and how to plan work in a busy environment. 

Biomedical Science is a course that integrates the principles of human anatomy and physiology with cutting edge lab techniques. Students will learn how to use their new lab skills in a clinically relevant way, and how to work in a collaborative fashion to solve problems.

Students will learn the fundamentals of Industrial Hydraulic Systems, CNC Machining Centers, Industrial Robotics, PLC programming using ladder logic, Drafting and Design Concepts with the use of Autodesk Inventor as well as how to construct and analyze AC/DC electrical circuits.

Students will get a chance to interact with new technologies that will be used in the future workforce.  Aspects of the automation process, robotics, drones, modeling and design will all be covered in some capacity in this class.  Students will also work with some electrical circuits to get an understanding of why electricity is an integral part of important technological advances.

This course is going to focus on basic fundamentals of trades. We will learn measurement, equipment safety, light construction, residential wiring, some drywall repair and installation, cutting stairs and rafters.  We will also do some small customer service projects given the opportunity.