Pathfinder Tech
Electronics Technology
SKILLS ACQUIRED AT EACH GRADE LEVEL
Grade 9
- Electronics assembly skills focused on soldering & desoldering, Protoboarding, wire crimping, and mechanical assembly/dis-assembly using basic hand tools.
- Introduction to electronics theory and laws such as Ohm’s law, Kirchoff’s law and Watts law.
- Component identification, resistor color code, schematic diagram reading and creating.
- Basic DC circuits. Series, parallel and combination circuits, capacitors.
- Magnetism theory and how it applies to electronics through electric motors and relays.
Grade 11
- Transistor biasing configurations. Small and large signal amplifiers. Field effect transistors (FETs)
- Basic logic gates, timers, flip flops, and counters. Introduction to Arduino micro-controllers.
- Surface mount technology. Hand soldering of components, re-work, inspection criteria, component numbering codes.
- Operational amplifiers, fiber optics, oscillators,
- Radio basics and AM/FM radio construction.
- Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and simulation software.
Grade 10
- Introduction to AC theory. Sine waves – calculate amplitude and frequency. Oscilloscope use. Inductors, capacitors, transformers.
- Introduction to semiconductor theory and devices. Diodes, voltage regulators, silicon controlled rectifiers. Electro-static dissipation (ESD).
- Power supply fundamentals. Half wave, full wave, and bridge rectifiers. Filter and voltage regulator circuits. Thermal management of semiconductors (heat sinks).
- Capstone project consisting of constructing a fully functional, lab quality power supply.
- Printed circuit board design fundamentals.
Grade 12
- Advanced digital logic circuits. Shift registers, adders, subtractors, arithmetic logic units, multiplexores, analog to digital (ADC) and digital to analog (DAC) converters.
- Advanced PLC’s and simulations.
- Advanced Arduino microcontroller circuits and programming.
- Advanced Op Amp circuits. Inverting, Non-inverting, Integrators, differentiators, summing, active filters, high pass, low pass, band pass, band reject.
- Senior design project. Students select a subject of their choice in September and create a project and report that is presented in May.
The student who is curious about taking something apart just to see how it works will definitely enjoy the Electronic Technologies Program. Students work in a modern technical laboratory complete with updated workstations and advanced testing and measuring equipment.
In this program, Students are prepared for entry level positions in the dynamic and challenging field of Electronics along with entry into post-secondary engineering programs.
Throughout the year, students will reinforce their technical and theoretical knowledge through the construction of several exciting and innovative projects; such as a Programmable 3D LED Cube, Bluetooth Wireless Speaker, AM/FM Radio, and more. In addition, Junior and Senior year students will have the opportunity to engage in a full-year design project of their choice.
The Electronics field comprises an ever-expanding industry with cell phones, tablets, computers, robots, and so much more; Students will need to learn the fundamental skills of how to properly design, diagnose, and repair these technologies today, and for the future.
Lastly, students will get to learn and engage with robotics through the use of VEX Robotics systems. During the course of their year, students will gain knowledge of the principles of engineering along with the use of gears and sprockets, sensors, programmable controllers, and so much more. Once complete, students should be able to work efficiently in a team, and be able to design and build a robot to complete one or several rigorous tasks of their choosing.
NOTEWORTHY PROJECTS
- Variable DC power supply
- Wireless Bluetooth speaker
- Programmable 3D LED cube
- Fiber optic communicator
- Digital Multimeter
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS
- OSHA 10 hour safety card: General Industry
- Associate Electronic Technician (CET)
- IPC Essentials certifications
THIS PROGRAM RELIES HEAVILY ON THE FOLLOWING ACADEMIC SKILLS and/or DISCIPLINES
- Math
- Science
- Pre-Engineering
Additional Program Info
In addition to all of the exciting opportunities in the Electronics Technologies program; We also co-host (in conjunction with the CAD/Pre-Engineering program) the VEX Robotics club. This Robotics club is open to any and all students who qualify and meet the needs of the club and its current members. This club is based on the sport of designing and assembling competition-ready robots to complete any number of tasks at competitive events hosted around the region.
Students are teamed up and must design a robot capable of performing a new task each season. Their robot has to stay within a certain size, and can only use VEX Robotics approved parts. Upon completion of their robot, each team is registered to compete at various events around the region against other highly-competitive teams. The winners of each event earn trophies along with a chance to proceed on to the next level event. If a team progresses far enough, they will have the opportunity to attend the “VEX Robotics World Championship” where the best of the absolute best teams from around the globe take a shot at being the best robotics team in the world!
POSSIBLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES UPON COMPLETION OF PROGRAM
Upon graduation:
- Electronic Assembler
- Mobile Electronics Installer
- Components Inspector
- Cell Phone Repair
- Technical Sales
- Repair Technician
- Printed circuit board designer
After completion of 1-2 years of post-secondary technical training (apprenticeship, certificate program or associate’s degree):
- Computer service Technician
- Equipment Calibration Technician
- Laser-Fiber Optics Systems Technician
- Robotic systems Technician
- Audio/Video Equipment Repair Tech
- Manufacturing Support Tech
After completion of Advanced degree (4 year college degree or higher)
- Electronics Design Engineer
- Computer Hardware Engineer
- Field Service Engineer
- Audio Systems Engineer
- Robotics Systems Engineer
- Information Technology Support Engineer
