Week of Nov 26

It's hard to believe that it is only 4 short weeks until we are out for the Christmas break and that the year is already half over.  Of course, one of those weeks will be taken up with final exams and preparations.  That means that there are some things you need to know about soon.

For all of the PLTW engineering classes, an End of Course exam is required, which will be given during the times of the spring semester exams.  That means that you will not be able to exempt your DE exam in the spring regardless.  If you want to exempt the fall semester exam and qualify per the school guidelines, you are free to do so. However, it is a preview of at least part of the exam that will be given in the spring.  The schedule for exams and guidelines can be found on the RRHS web page.

Back to videos.  We will pick up this week with a NOR only design of a circuit that saves chips ($$) in production parts.  It is very similar to the NAND only design in many respects. Be sure to watch the short video talking about how to design a circuit using only NOR chips before you come to class.

We need to pick up the pace of the class a little.  There is too much dragging behind and being ok with that (meaning, "I will do today's work next time in class, and that work the next time" and so on...)  With the end of the semester approaching, there is a pretty hard deadline to get all of that done.  If you aren't able to finish your work in class, make arrangements with me to come in during tutorials or take the work home to finish.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow! The semester is going very quickly.  It is already time for Thanskgiving, which means that semester final exams and the end of the semester are not far behind.

Speaking of semester finals, students who are eligible per school rules to exempt may exempt the fall semester exam for IED.  No one will be able to exempt the spring final exam as this is an End of Course exam that is required by PLTW for all of our students.  In short, if you think you might want to exempt one of the IED exams this year, it must be the fall exam, if you qualify for exemptions per school rules.

We should finish up the NAND design lesson on Tuesday by completing the Voting Booth circuit on breadboards.  Make sure to take pictures so that you can include them in your portfolio when we create them later on.  You should also have finished the Karnaugh mapping and Majority Vote (breadboards) by the end of class Tuesday.  We only have a few weeks remaining before those previously mentioned final exams.  

Week of Nov 12

We start a new unit this week on Wednesday which will introduce us to NAND logic and NOR logic.  The last project from the combinational logic unit (Majority Vote) is a major grade that will go on the new six weeks.  Make sure that you finish simplifying the MV expression and demonstrate that on Multisim and the breadboard.  We will introduce K-Maps on Wednesday, which is a much easier way to write the simplified AOI expression than having to go through the pains of Boolean simplification.  Make sure to watch the video before class Wednesday.

Report cards will be handed out during 2nd period Thursday.  It is hard to believe that the year is already 12 (Well.  Really 11) weeks gone.  This six weeks will be extremely quick since we have finals and the end of the semester looming in just 5 more weeks.

Speaking of finals, the exam schedule is out and posted in my room. As far as DE goes, you may exempt the fall semester exam but not the spring.  PLTW requires that all students take the EOC exam, which I will give during finals week in May.  If you want to exempt your DE exam and are eligible to do so, you will definitely want to do so this semester.

Finally, I have duty every morning this week, so there are no morning tutorials.

Semi High Tech U - Feb 20-22

Semi High Tech U is a three day "educational field trip" sponsored by SEMI, a consortium of various companies in the semiconductor (commonly called "computer chip") industry.  The link above includes a video that describes and allows you to see what goes on at a typical High Tech U.  Many companies who take part in making the integrated circuits used in not only computers but also cell phones, games, MP3 players, cars, televisions, and garage door openers among thousands of other products put together activities and host students from all over central Texas to help you to understand the challenges faced by engineers in their companies.  This is a good chance to get exposed to how the math, science, language, and other skills that you are learning are being put to use right now in some of the most fast-paced jobs available.  You will also get to meet and interact with engineers, managers, recruiters and others who work for these companies.  You can ask questions about their jobs, experiences, studying engineering, and even conduct a mock interview.  It is a great chance to enhance your resume and job-searching skills.

The team at the Austin High Tech U last year set the HTU world record for the fastest time in the "human calculator" activity.

High Tech U is specifically for all students interested in pursuing a technical field.   Events are held all over the world, but the one for the Austin area is currently scheduled for February 20, 21, and 22.  It will require that you are able to miss school for three consecutive days (2 A days and a B day), so I am telling you now so that you can plan ahead.  There is not cost to you to attend, and transportation will be provided to and from the event every day by RRISD (probably even someone you know very well).

Students who wish to attend must apply directly to Semi.  They will make the selections, but there is no limit on the number of students who can attend from any one school.  Last year, we were restricted to five students from RRHS through a special arrangement between RRISD and Semi.  Applications will be accepted beginning in January, but RRHS students may submit applications NOW.  Download the application and submit it per the instructions as soon as possible to enhance your chances of being selected.  Even if you are not certain that you will be able to attend, apply now.  You can always turn down the offer later if  you are accepted.  Also, previous High Tech U students may apply, but remember that Semi makes the selection this year.  Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions.

Week of Nov 5

Check out the video for DeMorgan's theorem before class on Tuesday.  We will continue simplifying Boolean expressions and then apply that to simplify the Majority vote circuit on Thursday.  Since you will ultimately breadboard your majority vote circuit, you want to be sure that you can simplify it as much as possible.

This week is the last week of the six weeks.  Make sure that your grades are up to date before Friday.  Look for report cards to come out next week.  In preparation for the grade deadline, this Wednesday will be  a WOW day, but Thursday will NOT be a late start   Make sure to plan your schedule for the week accordingly, and take advantage of the tutoring time during the WOW period Wednesday afternoon.

This Saturday is the FADE competition. Teams will need to be at the front of the school (100 bldg) in time to  leave at 5:30 a.m.  Check my FADE update page for details and more information.  It is exciting to see the teams working through their ideas and preparing to represent RRHS well in College Station.