1. Georgia Performance Standards Technological Systems
Middle School CTAE
Engineering and
Technology Pathway
Technological Systems
8th Grade Course

2. Course Description Foundational in nature Focus on 8th grade
7 Standards – ENGR-TS-1 thru 7
2-4 Elements per Standard
Sample Tasks
This course is designed for students to utilize the universal systems model including input, process, output and feedback. Students will examine various systems, such as; electrical, magnetic, mechanical, fluid, structural, natural, thermal, chemical, and information. Students will learn how various systems work together. Technological Systems reinforces the areas of math, science, social studies, and language arts through practical application and/or hands on activities.
At the end of this course, students will be able to utilize the universal systems model to design and produce a technological product.

3. Standards
ENGR-TS-1: The students will develop an understanding of the Universal Systems Model.
ENGR-TS-2: The students will develop an understanding of how the design process is used to develop a technological system.
ENGR-TS-3: The students will develop an understanding of how humans interact with systems.
ENGR-TS-4: The students will develop an understanding of how systems evolve from one stage to another.

4. Standards (continued)
ENGR-TS-5: The students will recognize and be able to forecast trends in the development of technological systems.
ENGR-TS-6: The students will recognize relationships among technologies and assess the impact of integrated systems.
ENGR-TS-7: Students will develop leadership skills and work ethics.

5. Define Universal Systems Model Identify the components of a system
ENGR-TS-1: The students will develop an understanding of the Universal Systems Model.
Define Universal Systems Model
Identify the components of a system
Examine a variety of simple, common systems

6. SAMPLE TASKS Read about Universal Systems Model
Diagram a given system using the Universal Systems Model
Analyze and critique the essential elements of a given system
Discuss relevant current events as related to the systems model

7. Identify the steps of the design process
ENGR-TS-2: The students will develop an understanding of how the design process is used to develop a technological system.
Identify the steps of the design process
Identify how systems are used in a variety of settings

8. ENGR-TS-2: The students will develop an understanding of how the design process is used to develop a technological system. (continued)
Illustrate how the systems model is utilized in the production of goods
Construct and work with a variety of systems, including Engineering, Electronics, Manufacturing, and Energy

9. SAMPLE TASKS Introduction of the design process
Identify the applications of systems to devices the students are familiar with
Create a poster that illustrates design process
Use the design process to design a product

10. Operate technological systems Maintain technological systems
ENGR-TS-3: The students will develop an understanding of how humans interact with systems.
Operate technological systems
Maintain technological systems
Constructing technological systems
Design technological systems

11. SAMPLE TASKS
Read an owner’s manual for a given system and outline the user-performed maintenance tasks
Sketch a given system, label its parts, write technical directions used to operate device, and list outcomes of using device

12. SAMPLE TASKS (continued)
Design, construct, and test a simple system (i.e. electrical circuit, model rocket, bridge structure)

13. Illustrate the evolution of a variety of technological systems
ENGR-TS-4: The students will develop an understanding of how systems evolve from one stage to another.
Illustrate the evolution of a variety of technological systems
Analyze the reason for the evolution of technological systems

14. Investigate the cause of system failures
ENGR-TS-4: The students will develop an understanding of how systems evolve from one stage to another (continued)
Investigate the cause of system failures

15. SAMPLE TASKS
Examine the historical development of a technological artifact from its beginning to its current state (i.e. audio recording equipment, camera, telephone)

16. Gathers data and examine trends that lead to technological advancement
ENGR-TS-5: The students will recognize and be able to forecast trends in the development of technological systems.
Gathers data and examine trends that lead to technological advancement
Propose a creative and futuristic technological system that may solve emerging human needs 16

17. Design and create a model of a futuristic technological system
ENGR-TS-5: The students will recognize and be able to forecast trends in the development of technological systems (continued)
Design and create a model of a futuristic technological system
Analyze the qualities of various futuristic technological systems (i.e. benefits, drawbacks, overall efficiency of system, etc.)

18. SAMPLE TASKS Predict the future changes of an item
Research the impact of technological systems on society

19. Explain how the subsystems work together to enable the complex system
ENGR-TS-6: The students will recognize relationships among technologies and assess the impact of integrated systems.
Identify a complex technological system that is made up of several subsystems
Explain how the subsystems work together to enable the complex system

20. ENGR-TS-6: The students will recognize relationships among technologies and assess the impact of integrated systems (continued)
Analyze the qualities of various integrated technological systems (i.e. benefits, drawbacks, overall efficiency of system, etc.)

21. SAMPLE TASKS
Identify the relationships among technological systems used in a complex process
Choose a complex device made up of systems and subsystems and visually display the integrated nature of the component parts. (i.e., concept maps, graphic organizer)

22. ENGR-TS-7: Students will develop leadership skills and work ethics.
Demonstrate work ethics within the classroom and lab environment
Investigate leadership skills through co-curricular activities

23. SAMPLE TASKS Modular Activities Whole group activities
Small group activities
TSA
Robotics competition
(i.e. First Lego League)

24. Integrated Concepts Reading Across the Curriculum Writing
Entrepreneurship
CTAE Foundation Skills 24

25. Invention Innovation CD
Resources
ITEA EbD Curriculum
Invention Innovation CD
Teacher Deliverables (MS Resource CD)
TSA Curricular Resource Guide
GETEA Problem Solving Cookbooks
Teacher Resources 25

26. Resources (continued)
Design Process
Gears & Pulleys
Mechanisms
Forces & Moments 26

27. Resources (continued)
Curriculum
Robotics 101
What is Engineering (PowerPoint)
Engineering Process (Video)
Engineering Process (Printable) 27

28. Resources (continued)
Forces Lab
Loads Lab
Materials Lab
Shapes Lab 28

29. Understanding the Universal Systems Model
Unit Example
Understanding the Universal Systems Model
What is a System?
A group of interrelated parts or elements that function together to accomplish a goal.

30. Understanding the Universal Systems Model What is an Open-loop System?
Unit Example
Understanding the Universal Systems Model
What is an Open-loop System?
A control system that has no means for comparing the output with the input for control purposes. Control of open-loop systems often requires human intervention.

31. What is a Closed-loop System?
Unit Example
Understanding the Universal Systems Model
What is a Closed-loop System?
A system that uses feedback from the output to control the input.

32. Understanding the Universal Systems Model 7 Technological Resources
Unit Example
Understanding the Universal Systems Model
7 Technological Resources
People
Information
Materials
Tools & Machines
Energy
Time
Capital

33. Understanding the Universal Systems Model The Universal Systems Model
Unit Example
Understanding the Universal Systems Model
Input
Process
Output
Feedback
The Universal Systems Model
A sequence of actions that combine resources to produce an output.
Used to monitor how a system is working.
It is only used in a closed loop system.
An open loop system does not have feedback..
The results of the operation of any system.
If the system is working properly the output will be the desired product or results.
Something that is put into a system in order to achieve a result. The input is often a combination of the 7 resources of technology.
Apply the Universal Systems Model
to a simple system.

34. Unit Example Understanding the Universal Systems Model Input Process
Output
Feedback
Examples:
Flushing a Toilet
Riding a Bike
Ringing a Door Bell
Turning on a Light
Sharpening a Pencil
Cooling a Room with an Air Conditioner

35. Understanding the Universal Systems Model
Unit Example
Understanding the Universal Systems Model
Input
Process
Output
Feedback
This is an open loop system. There is no feedback mechanism in place. An observation can be made as to whether the system is functioning properly.
The flap in the toilet tank raised and the water is released from the tank into the toilet bowl, the flap returns to the closed position. A valve is opened to allow water to refill the tank to a specified depth.
A person pressing the handle
on the outside of the toilet the tank.
Apply the Universal Systems Model to Flush a Toilet
The toilet bowl empties and refills with clear water as the tank refills.

36. Understanding the Universal Systems Model
Unit Example
Understanding the Universal Systems Model
Input
Process
Output
Feedback
Complete the Universal Systems Model Worksheet for an Open Loop System and a Closed Loop System.

37. Standards addressed in this Unit
Understanding the Universal Systems Model
ENGR-TS-1: The students will develop an understanding of the Universal Systems Model.
a) Define Universal Systems Model
b) Identify the components of a system
c) Examine of a variety of simple, common systems.

38. Unit Example How Systems Work
CATTs Technology Systems – Unit 1 Lesson 1
Part 1: String Cup Telephone
Materials Needed:
Cups
String
Objective:
Students should construct a simple “cup and string” communication system. Once the system is constructed the students should test the system and record the pros and cons of this system. 38

39. Unit Example How Systems Work
CATTs Technology Systems – Unit 1 Lesson 1
Part 2: Electronic “Buzzer Telegraph”
Materials Needed:
buzzer
15’ doorbell wire
9 volt battery snap
9 volt battery
push button switch
Small wire nuts 39

40. Unit Example How Systems Work
CATTs Technology Systems – Unit 1 Lesson 1
Part 2: Electronic “Buzzer Telegraph”
Objective:
Students should construct simple system below to create the “Buzzer Telegraph”. 40

41. Unit Example How Systems Work
CATTs Technology Systems – Unit 1 Lesson 1
Testing:
Once the system is constructed the students should test the system by sending a message in Morse Code. Student should then record the pros and cons of this system. 41

42. Unit Example How Systems Work
CATTs Technology Systems – Unit 1 Lesson 1
Part 3: “Hello Operator”
Objective:
Using extra wire leads, arrange the system so that an “operator” group in the center of the room can direct connections between groups. Allow the students to “talk out loud” to the operators as they place calls. Let the operators make a few connections and let the senders transpitt a message. 42

43. Unit Example How Systems Work
CATTs Technology Systems – Unit 1 Lesson 1
Part 3: “Hello Operator” - Diagram 43

44. Unit Example How Systems Work
CATTs Technology Systems – Unit 1 Lesson 1
Part 3: “Hello Operator”
Working in teams students should answer the following questions:
1. What additional features does this communication system need to make it “useful” for home use?
2. Identify at least three subsystems used in this model?
3. What subsystems would need to be “substituted” to turn this into a modern telephone system?
4. How has the system evolved?
5. What could cause this system to fail? 44

45. Standards addressed in this Unit
How Systems Work
ENGR-TS-3: The students will develop an understanding of how humans interact with systems.
a) Operate technological systems
c) Constructing technological systems 45

46. Standards addressed in this Unit
How Systems Work
ENGR-TS-4: The students will develop an understanding of how systems evolve from one stage to another.
a) Illustrate the evolution of a variety of technological systems.
b) Analyze the reason for the evolution of technological systems
c) Investigate the cause of system failures 46

47. Standards addressed in this Unit
How Systems Work
ENGR-TS-7: Students will explore the nature of leadership skills and work ethics.
a) Demonstrate work ethics within the classroom and lab environment. 47

48. 48