Inspiring Innovation in
TECHNOLOGY
Students enrolled in a magnet program must remain in good standing both with grades and behavior as outlined in the West Magnet Contract, which parents and students sign each year.
Technology is where it all began in 1997. The District designated Richardson West Jr High, a highly innovative school in its own right, as the first junior high magnet school. Through the lens of Technology, West aligned itself between the Math Science Technology Magnet, which opened in 1995, and The Arts, Law, Sciences Magnet at Richardson High School, and became a dynamic prism through which students could prepare themselves for each experience in the refracted pathways of light ahead. West Tech, as it was commonly known, created technology pods between classrooms throughout the school so that students had the newest and best technology close-at-hand to work on individual and group projects. West teachers led the way, incorporating technology into every subject, every classroom, every day. The District provided focused, specialized professional development, along with hands-on learning live, in the classroom via a dedicated Technology Specialist who continues to model, train and support every teacher’s growth in the use of technology. Visual Arts was next added to the unique components available at West Jr High Arts & Technology Magnet. One-to-one netbooks replaced the need for technology pods, and the school remains a trendsetter in the use of instructional technology and inspiring innovation through the arts.
Robotics
Propels students a year ahead into the Richardson High School Robotics magnet strand
The West Robotics magnet strand prepares students for the RHS Robotics magnet program curriculum. Additionally, students learn project management skills and work in a collaborative environment, completing group projects together. These projects give students exposure to different topics in engineering and computer science.
The West Robotics magnet strand utilizes the VEX IQ systems for robot construction. We gain programming knowledge through various online tools, such as MIT-developed Scratch, Autodesk-developed TinkerCAD and robot simulator CoderZ. Our program uses 3-D printing, as well as hands-on circuit building and programming with Raspberry Pi. Students in our Robotics Club compete in local and national VEX competitions.
It's not a faith in technology. It's faith in people.
- Implement learning through collaborative group projects, with emphasis on learning the steps of professional project management throughout the year
- Introduce programming concepts from Scratch, an MIT-developed, browser-based visual programming console
- Gain familiarity with popular programming languages and computer science fundamentals
- Practice basic computer systems with Raspberry Pi kits
- Program robots virtually with CoderZ
- Explore components of computers, circuitry, and electrical engineering
- Model and design 3D with Autodesk products, TinkerCAD and AutoCAD
- Print 3D with MakerBot Replicator+ 3D printers
- Gain understanding in the fundamentals of structural engineering, physics, and manufacturing
- Use VEX IQ robotics kits and Rokenbok kits for Engineering and Robotics projects
- Participate in Local & National robotics competitions through VEX IQ
- 2D and 3D design with TinkerCAD and AutoCAD
- Collaborative group projects (PBL), while documenting process
- Rigorous programming using Scratch
- Build machines with Vex IQ and Rokenbok
- Comprehend use of Modkit, CoderZ robotics and Python
- National Championship 2013-2014 and 2014-2015
- Annual local and national competition
- No interview is required.
- All students must submit the Online Jr High Choice & Magnet School App by the application deadline to be considered in the review process for the 7th grade course.
- The Robotics section of the application contains additional questions for students to answer.
- These answers are reviewed and scored as outlined in the rubric provided in the handout titled Application Information for Communication Arts, Culinary Arts and Robotics
- Students are selected for the 7th grade course from qualifying rubric scores.
- Seventh graders must remain in good standing, with grades and behavior, to qualify for 8th grade.
Ross Vick
Instructor West Robotics Magnet
Ross.Vick@risd.org
Students enrolled in a magnet program must remain in good standing both with grades and behavior as outlined in the West Magnet Contract, which parents and students sign each year.
Additional CTE Pathways in Technology
The best way to predict the future is to create it.
- Non-magnet course open to all students
- 7th Grade
- 8th Grade
- Completion of 8th grade courses gains one year of high school CTE credit.
- Non-magnet course open to all students
- 7th Grade
- 8th Grade
- Completion of 8th grade courses gains one year of high school CTE credit.
- Non-magnet course open to all students
- 7th Grade
- 8th Grade
- Completion of 8th grade courses gains one year of high school CTE credit.
