SECTION 127.781. Principles of Applied Engineering (One Credit), Adopted 2021

(a) Implementation. The provisions of this section shall be implemented by school districts beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.

(1) No later than August 31, 2024, the commissioner of education shall determine whether instructional materials funding has been made available to Texas public schools for materials that cover the essential knowledge and skills identified in this section.

(2) If the commissioner makes the determination that instructional materials funding has been made available, this section shall be implemented beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and apply to the 2024-2025 and subsequent school years.

(3) If the commissioner does not make the determination that instructional materials funding has been made available under this subsection, the commissioner shall determine no later than August 31 of each subsequent school year whether instructional materials funding has been made available. If the commissioner determines that instructional materials funding has been made available, the commissioner shall notify the State Board of Education and school districts that this section shall be implemented for the following school year.

(b) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 9 and 10. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.

(c) Introduction.

(1) Career and technical education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards, industry-relevant technical knowledge, and college and career readiness skills for students to further their education and succeed in current and emerging professions.

(2) The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services, including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services.

(3) Principles of Applied Engineering provides an overview of the various fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and their interrelationships. Students develop engineering communication skills, which include computer graphics, modeling, and presentations, by using a variety of computer hardware and software applications to complete assignments and projects. Upon completing this course, students will have an understanding of the various fields of engineering and be able to make informed career decisions.

(4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.

(5) Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.

(d) Knowledge and skills.

(1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability skills as required by business and industry. The student is expected to:

(A) demonstrate knowledge of how to dress, speak, and conduct oneself in a manner appropriate for the profession;

(B) cooperate, contribute, and collaborate as a member of a group in an effort to achieve a positive collective outcome;

(C) present written and oral communication in a clear, concise, and effective manner;

(D) demonstrate time-management skills in prioritizing tasks, following schedules, and performing goal-relevant activities in a way that produces efficient results; and

(E) demonstrate punctuality, dependability, reliability, and responsibility in performing assigned tasks.

(2) The student investigates the components of engineering and technology systems. The student is expected to:

(A) investigate and report on the history of engineering disciplines, including chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering;

(B) identify the inputs, processes, and outputs associated with technological systems;

(C) describe the difference between open and closed systems;

(D) describe how technological systems interact to achieve common goals;

(E) compare engineering, science, and technology career paths, including entry-level employment, military service, apprenticeships, community and technical colleges, and universities;

(F) conduct and present research on emerging and innovative technology; and

(G) demonstrate proficiency of the engineering design process.

(3) The student presents conclusions, research findings, and designs using a variety of media throughout the course. The student is expected to:

(A) use clear and concise written, verbal, and visual communication techniques;

(B) maintain a design and computation engineering notebook;

(C) develop and present ideas using sketching and computer-aided design and drafting (CADD);

(D) draw conclusions using industry-standard visualization techniques and media;

(E) maintain a paper or digital portfolio using the engineering documentation process; and

(F) use collaborative tools such as desktop or web-based applications to share and develop information.

(4) The student uses appropriate tools and demonstrates safe work habits. The student is expected to:

(A) master relevant safety tests;

(B) follow lab safety guidelines as prescribed by instructor in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations;

(C) identify industry safety terminology related to the personal work environment such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and personal protective equipment (PPE);

(D) recognize the classification of hazardous materials and wastes;

(E) describe appropriate ways to dispose of hazardous materials and wastes;

(F) maintain, safely handle, and properly store laboratory equipment;

(G) describe the implications of negligent or improper maintenance; and

(H) demonstrate the use of precision measuring instruments.

(5) The student describes the factors that affect the progression of technology and analyzes the potential intended and unintended consequences of technological advances. The student is expected to:

(A) describe how technology has affected individuals, societies, cultures, economies, and environments;

(B) describe how the development and use of technology influenced past events;

(C) describe how and why technology progresses; and

(D) predict possible changes caused by the advances of technology.

(6) The student thinks critically and applies fundamental principles of system modeling and design to multiple design projects. The student is expected to:

(A) identify and describe an engineering design process needed for a project, including the design process and prototype development and initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing a project;

(B) identify the chemical, mechanical, and physical properties of engineering materials and identify testing methods associated with the materials;

(C) use problem-solving techniques to develop technological solutions such as product, process, or system;

(D) use consistent units for all measurements and computations; and

(E) assess the risks and benefits of a design solution.

(7) The student understands the opportunities and careers in fields related to robotics, process control, and automation systems. The student is expected to:

(A) describe applications of robotics, process control, and automation systems;

(B) apply design concepts to problems in robotics, process control, and automation systems;

(C) identify fields and career opportunities related to robotics, process control, and automation systems; and

(D) identify emerging trends in robotics, process control, and automation systems.

(8) The student understands the opportunities and careers in fields related to electrical and mechanical systems. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the applications of electrical and mechanical systems;

(B) describe career opportunities in electrical and mechanical systems;

(C) identify emerging trends in electrical and mechanical systems; and

(D) describe and apply basic electronic theory.

(9) The student collaborates as a team member while completing a comprehensive project. The student is expected to:

(A) apply the design process, including decision matrices, as a team participant;

(B) perform different roles within the project as a team member;

(C) formulate decisions using collaborative strategies such as decision and design matrices and conflict resolution;

(D) maintain an engineering notebook for the project;

(E) develop and test the model for the project; and

(F) demonstrate communication skills by preparing and presenting the project, including building consensus setback resolution and decision matrices.

(10) The student demonstrates a knowledge of drafting by completing a series of drawings that can be published by various media. The student is expected to:

(A) set up, create, and modify drawings;

(B) store and retrieve geometry;

(C) demonstrate and use appropriate line types in engineering drawings;

(D) draw two-dimensional, single-view objects;

(E) create multi-view working drawings using orthographic projection;

(F) dimension objects using current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards;

(G) draw single-line two-dimensional pictorial representations; and

(H) create working drawings that include section views.

(11) The student creates justifiable solutions to open-ended real-world problems using engineering design practices and processes. The student is expected to:

(A) identify and define an engineering problem;

(B) formulate goals, objectives, and requirements to solve an engineering problem;

(C) determine the design parameters such as materials, personnel, resources, funding, manufacturability, feasibility, and time associated with an engineering problem;

(D) establish and evaluate potential constraints, including health, safety, social, environmental, ethical, political, regulatory, and legal, pertaining to a problem;

(E) identify or create alternative solutions to a problem using a variety of techniques such as brainstorming, reverse engineering, and researching engineered and natural solutions;

(F) test and evaluate proposed solutions using engineering methods such as creating models, prototypes, mock-ups, or simulations or performing critical design review, statistical analysis, or experiments;

(G) apply structured techniques such as a decision tree, design matrix, or cost-benefit analysis to select and justify a preferred solution to a problem;

(H) predict performance, failure modes, and reliability of a design solution; and

(I) prepare a project report that clearly documents the designs, decisions, and activities during each phase of the engineering design process.

Source Note: The provisions of this §127.781 adopted to be effective April 26, 2022, 47 TexReg 2166