Technology, Engineering & Design Department

Grades 9-12

This course will allow students to participate in Robotics, Engineering, and Architecture projects within one course as they will circulate between three content-expert teachers. Within each unit, students will use problem-solving techniques to brainstorm and create solutions, and will develop an understanding of the design process, technical drawing, basic tool usage, and safety skills.

Grades 10-12

TEAM Workshop is designed with an inclusion model in mind. Both Special and General Education students will work together through a curriculum designed to cultivate and promote student leadership, peer mentoring, collaboration, and creativity in a workshop atmosphere. Students work collaboratively on hands-on projects that will allow them to learn methods of design, using a variety of materials to create unique solutions to design challenges. Peer-assisted learning will be used to cultivate partner and “team” relationships focused on the design process. General Education students will apply, interview, and be selected to participate in this course, while Special Education students will be able to select this course. The course is ultimately designed to foster an inclusive environment for students in the Technology, Engineering, and Design area.

Grades 9-12

Team TED is designed with an inclusion model in mind. Both Special and General Education students will work together through a curriculum designed to cultivate and promote student leadership, peer mentoring, collaboration, and creativity. This course will provide students with hands-on experience in technical drawing, design, fabrication, and engineering through project-based units. Peer-assisted learning will be used to cultivate partner and "team" relationships. Students will use problem-solving techniques to brainstorm and create solutions, and will develop an understanding of the design process, technical drawing, basic tool usage, and safety skills. General Education students will apply, interview, and be selected to participate in this course, while Special Education students will be able to select this course. 

Grades: 9-12

This introductory course provides students with the opportunity to utilize and become familiar with hand tools and power tools. Students will learn through hands-on experiences, working with a variety of materials while practicing safe working habits. Students will use the design process to independently and collaboratively research, design, and build unique solutions to design challenges. Projects are documented in an electronic portfolio throughout the course.

Grades: 9-12

Prerequisite: #805 Materials and Processes 1

This course will build upon skills learned in #805 Materials and Processes 1 with a particular focus on wood projects. Students will work independently and in small groups to design and build class projects or projects of their choosing. Students work with more advanced tools and techniques with a continued focus on safety. Projects are documented in an electronic portfolio throughout the course.

Grades: 9-12

This course is a general introductory course that is required for students pursuing subsequent courses in Engineering. It is also an elective that fulfills the 21st Century Life and Career Skills graduation requirement. It will provide students with hands-on experience in technical drawing, design, fabrication, and engineering through project-based units. Students will use problem-solving techniques to brainstorm and create solutions, and will develop an understanding of the design process, technical drawing, basic tool usage, and safety skills. 

Grades: 10-12

Prerequisite: Any level of Geometry, #806 Pre-Engineering

Engineering 1: Principles is a course that covers a variety of disciplines that are found within a Technical/Engineering Career. This course is ideal for students who are considering a STEM-related career choice and are looking for hands-on experience. Students develop their designs using sketching, computer-aided design (CAD), and 3D prototyping. Students use CAD to design, build and animate a mechanical system. Students will explore different branches of engineering and solve multi-layered engineering problems through the use of the design process. They will develop their solutions through research, brainstorming, sketching, creating technical drawings, creating CAD models, and using tools and materials to create working prototypes. Throughout the course, students will document their projects in a digital engineering notebook. It is recommended that students have an understanding of problem-solving and the engineering design process. This course has a dual enrollment agreement with New Jersey Institute of Technology. Eligible students who complete this course and HCRHS course #806 can earn 2 credits for NJIT’s course, MET 103, Engineering Graphics and Introduction to CAD. Visit the HCRHS dual enrollment webpage for more information.

Grades: 11-12

Prerequisite: #804 Engineering 1: Principles AND any level of Algebra 2 AND any level of Geometry

Engineering 2: Honors Application is an advanced-level, project-based STEM course for students who are considering engineering or technical careers. Students must have prior experience with Geometry and Computer Aided Design before taking this course. Students use analog and digital tools to reverse engineer, analyze and prototype a complex mechanical system. They design and build advanced assemblies, electronic circuits, and program microprocessors. Throughout the course, students will document their projects in a digital engineering notebook. The course culminates with students applying these skills to a final project of their own design.

Grades: 9-12

This course will provide students with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of Architectural Design. Students will explore residential architectural styles, basic building codes and structural requirements. Students will progress through creating residential floor plans and developing interior designs using drafting tools. Students will make decisions based on personal needs, desires and available resources to design living spaces. Residential Design is required for students interested in further study in Architecture as well as those students who plan to pursue the Magnet Program in Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CADD.

Grades: 10-12

Prerequisite: #830 Residential Design

Architecture is a project based STEM course for students who are considering careers in architecture, civil engineering, planning, or construction. Students draw, design and build architectural structures. Students use AutoCAD to draw a block plan of their own neighborhood. They design and draw floor plans. Students study the fundamentals of construction including foundations, footing, and roof designs. Students use an advanced professional CAD system to model a final house design and produce plans and images of their virtual model. It is recommended that students have an understanding of problem-solving and the engineering design process.

Grade Level: 11-12

Prerequisite: #832 Architecture

Students will learn the fundamentals of the sustainable side of Architecture. Students will explore the reuse, renew and recycle side of design, along with an element of alternative design. Students will design structures that are sustainable and green. Emphasis will be on repurposing an existing structure, developing recreational areas, and ADA (American Disability Act). LEED Certification will be introduced and used as a basis for eco-friendly designs. Sustainable Design is required for students interested in further study in Architecture as well as those students who plan to pursue the Magnet Program in Architecture.

Grades: 10-12

Invention & Innovations incorporates the design process with the techniques used by inventors and industrial designers to innovate the products of the future. Students explore the history of invention, the social impacts and economic trade-offs of technological advancement, branding and packaging. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify a problem, research, brainstorm, and prototype a physical model to develop a solution to an authentic, real-world problem. It is recommended that students have an understanding of problem-solving and the engineering design process.

Grades: 10-12

Technical Drawing introduces students to technical drawing using traditional drafting equipment and then progresses to three-dimensional design. The course will introduce students to sketching, orthographic projection, sections and isometrics. Dimensions will be applied using the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards . Students will then develop their skills using AutoDesk Inventor to create basic three-dimensional models and renderings, then create engineering drawings and assemblies.

Grades: 9-12

Prerequisite: #806 TED: Technology, Engineering, and Design

This course will provide students with an opportunity to learn fundamental robotic skills and programming essentials. Using a VEX platform robot, students work collaboratively to develop a robot to complete specific tasks. Students will have the opportunity to complete projects involving guided research, problem-solving, and design documentation by means of an Engineer’s Notebook.

Grades: 10-12

Prerequisite: #815 Introduction to Robotics

This course is designed to challenge students in the operations of the VEX Robot platform as it teaches science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students will learn how to use feedback from sensors, applied mathematics and measurement to program their robot to navigate in its environment. Students will have the opportunity to complete multiple challenges involving guided research, problem-solving, collaboration, and design documentation by means of an Engineer’s Notebook. Students interested in participating on the Robotics Team are encouraged to consider this course.

Grades: 11-12

Prerequisite: #817 Robotics 1

This is the culminating course for the Robotics Curriculum and is focused on Advanced Manufacturing and Automation. It is designed to challenge students in the operations of the VEX Robot platform as it teaches science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students will learn how to use feedback from sensors, applied mathematics and measurement to program their robot to navigate in its environment. Students will have the opportunity to complete multiple challenges involving guided research, problem-solving, collaboration, and design documentation by means of an Engineer’s Notebook. 

Grade 12

The Senior Internship Capstone 1 is a senior level program designed for the student who wants to gain valuable experience in a professional environment. Students will spend the first semester studying work ethics, communication skills, resume writing, and interviewing skills. The student will learn how to deal with conflict resolution, thinking skills, and discover the diversity of management styles. This is a unique program that capitalizes on a high level of student motivation and gives the student the opportunity to "learn by doing". Students will be required to research their own job-related experiences.

The Senior Internship Capstone 1 is primarily a job preparation program. If however, the student is unable to complete the program due to lack of procuring a professional placement or lacks transportation, the student will be required to take a study hall or alternate course for the second semester and will not be able to enter Senior Internship Capstone 2. When the student enters the internship program in the second semester, the student will earn an additional 2.5 credits.

Grade 12

The Senior Internship Capstone 2 is a senior level program designed for the student who wants to gain valuable experience in the workplace. Students will enter the workforce in a professional environment such as an office. The student will be expected to work at the site for 8 to 12 hours a week. This is a unique program that capitalizes on a high level of student motivation and gives the student the opportunity to "learn by doing". Students will be required to research their own job-related experiences. This course will take place during the fourth block allowing the student to work a maximum of 4 hours a day.

The Senior Internship Capstone 2 is primarily a job preparation program. If however, the student is unable to enter the program due to a lack of a professional placement or lacks transportation the student will be required to take a study hall or alternate course for this class. When the student enters the internship program in the second semester, the student will earn an additional 2.5 credits.

Specialized academies are offered through Central's Magnet Program for Architectural Design, Robotics and new for 2025-2026, Engineering. Please visit our Magnet Programs webpage to learn more.