Engineering

What Is the Engineering Program?

The Engineering Program at Archbishop Riordan High School is a four year honors program focused on computer engineering, fabrication, and design. Located in the Bay Area near major engineering and technology companies, Riordan gives students natural exposure to real career paths and practical applications of engineering, built on a foundation of strong math and science coursework.

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Is the Engineering Program Right for You?

The Engineering Program is a rigorous academic program designed for motivated, mature students with a genuine interest in engineering. Admission is based on 7th and 8th grade math and science grades, standardized test performance, and demonstrated ability to handle a challenging course load. Students take two engineering courses each year alongside advanced math and science courses, preparing them for a college level engineering major and the high demand awaiting future engineers and programmers.

Program Highlights

The program combines curriculum from Project Lead The Way and CodeHS, two national leaders in science and technology education, with an engaging, project based classroom experience. Students build individual skills in engineering and computer science while learning to solve problems the way professional engineers do: as a team. Graduates leave prepared for the growing demand in fields like renewable energy, autonomous transportation, and advanced manufacturing, as well as traditional areas such as automotive, propulsion, and architectural engineering.

Courses Offered

Engineering Essentials

Offered Freshman Year:

Engineering Essentials is a full-year course designed to be a high school student's first exposure to the PLTW Engineering program and is appropiate for students in grades 9-12. In Engineering Essentials, students explore the work of engineers and their role in the design and development of solutions to real-world problems.

The course introduces students to engineering concepts that are applicable across multiple engineering disciplines and empowers them to build technical skills through the use of a variety of engineering tools, such as geographic information systems (GIS), 3-D solid modeling software, and prototyping equipment. Students learn and apply the engineering design process to develop mechanical, electronic, process, and logistical solutions to relevant problems across a variety of industry sectors, including health care, public service, and product development and manufacturing

Introduction to Engineering Design

Offered Sophomore Year:

Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) is a high school course in the PLTW Engineering Program. In IED, students explore engineering tools and apply a common approach to the solution of engineering problems, an engineering design process. Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based (APB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students progress from completing structured activities to solving open-ended projects and problems that require them to plan, document, communicate, and develop other professional skills.

Through both individual and collaborative team activities, projects, and problems, students apply systems thinking and consider various aspects of engineering design including material selection, human-centered design, manufacturability, assemblability and sustainability. Students develop skills in technical representation and documentation especially through #D computer modeling using a Computer Aided Design (CAD) application. As part of the design process, students produce precise 3D-printed engineering prototypes using an additive manufacturing process. Student-developed testing protocols drive decision-making and iterative design improvements.

Creative Engineering

Offered Sophomore and Junior Year:

Fab Lab is a class where students can take advantage of tools, resources, and technology, maintained by the Engineering Department. Using traditional and advanced manufacturing equipment and, under the guidance of an Engineering Instructor, students can make almost anything.

In Fab Lab, students are offered the opportunity to dream, design, and refine ideas. They can come in and experiment or work towards developing a fully fledged product.

Computer Programming with Python

Optional course offered to the greater Riordan Community:

The introduction to Computer Science in Python curriculum teaches the foundations of computer science and basic programming, with an emphasis on helping students develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Once students complete the CodeHS Introduction to Computer Science in Python course, they will have learned material equivalent to a semester college introductory course in Computer Science and be able to program using Python 3.

AP Computer Science Principles

Optional course offered to the greater Riordan Community:

AP Computer Science Principles is an AP® course from the College Board. This course introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and explores the impact computing and technology have on our society. With an unique focus on creative problem solving and real-wold applications, the CodeHS AP Computer Science Principles course gives students the opportunity to explore several important important topics of computing using their own ideas and creativity, use the power of computing to create artifacts of personal value, and develop an interest in computer science that will foster further endeavors in the field.

Civil Engineering

In this course students will study the influence of visual design principles on American architectural styles and patterns. They will design a two-story residence using the industry-standard Autodesk Revit™ program and use elevation and floor plans to make a physical model of their house. They will use surveying equipment and apply soil characterization techniques to reinforce their study of the Public Land Survey System. They will explore several aspects of our national infrastructure such as the interstate highway system, water treatment plants, and electrical power distribution. Students will also explore global maritime container shipping, aircraft navigation and control, and our ever-evolving telecommunications system being re-imagined due to the advent of reusable space launch programs.

Engineering Capstone

Senior Year Requirment:

As a senior, you and your design team will design, engineer, and build a project within a theme that is selected by your class. Examples of these themes are all terrain wheelchairs, Emergency housing, human powered vehicles and more! You'll what the project needs, you'll brainstorm designs, you'll create design drawings and fabrication plans, you'll engineer it to make sure it's safe. All the while, journaling your progress. Finally, you'll build your project and a portfolio which you will present in an event that will be given to the greater Riordan Community.

My favorite project in engineering has been creating a remote controlled car. I enjoyed creating it because I could see the car coming together along the way. When I made mistakes as I built it, I learned about robotics as I fixed them.

Harrison Carpenter '22