The Center for Inquiry and Design

About I+D
The Center for Inquiry + Design trains skilled, ethical, and compassionate STEM-minded students by developing their research skills and fostering creative problem-solving abilities so they have the courage and confidence to take on the greatest problems facing the world. Endorsements include Engineering/Architecture, Computer Science, Biomedical Science, and Urban Sustainability.

Graduate with a I+D Endorsement
Four TICE Courses and an internship are required for an endorsement from the Center for Inquiry + Design

Explore Different Career Paths with I+D
Aerospace Engineer, Nuclear Engineer, Systems Engineer, Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Big Data Engineer, Petroleum Engineer, Cartographer, Architect, Industrial Engineer, Marine Engineer, Agricultural Engineer, Aeronautical Engineer, Software Quality Assurance Engineers, Cybersecurity, Computer Programmer, Software Development, APP Developers, Network Administrator, Data Science, Analyst, Biomedical Scientist, Senior Medical Writer, Senior Medicinal Chemistry, Professor, Medical Sales Director, Doctor, Researcher, Principal Investigator, Pharmaceutical Marketing Manager, Analytical Chemist, Anatomist, Biophysicist, Chemical Analyst, Chemical Information Specialist, Clinical Cytogeneticist, Clinical Immunologist, Forensic Scientist, Geneticist, Molecular Geneticist, Nuclear Medical Technologist, Biomedical Scientist, Senior Medical Writer, Senior Medicinal Chemistry, Professor, Medical Sales Director, Doctor, Researcher, Principal Investigator, Pharmaceutical Marketing Manager, Analytical Chemist, Anatomist, Biophysicist, Chemical Analyst, Chemical Information Specialist, Clinical Cytogeneticist, Clinical Immunologist, Forensic Scientist, Geneticist, Molecular Geneticist, Nuclear Medical Technologist

I+D Curriculum

Introduction to Engineering

Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

In this course we will explore what a mechanical engineer does. We will learn fundamental mechanics principles in order to solve
engineering problems. We will apply those principles in construction and destruction of structures and devices using plastic, metal, wood and cardboard.

Grade Level: 10-11
Length: One Semester
Credits Apply Toward: Inquiry + Design
Endorsement and/or general elective

Introduction to Electrical Engineering

In this course we will explore what an electrical engineer does. We will design and construct electrical circuits using fundamental circuit elements and explore ways of powering those circuits. We will also learn how to model these circuits using Matlab software.

Grade Level: 10-11
Length: One Semester
Credits Apply Toward: Inquiry + Design
Endorsement and/or general elective

Civil Engineering and Architecture

In this course, we will explore what civil engineers and architects do. Students will be introduced to important aspects of building and site design and development. They will apply math, science, and standard engineering practices to design both residential and commercial projects and document their work
using 3D architectural design software.

Grade Level: 11-12
Length: Year
Credits Apply Toward: Inquiry + Design
Endorsement and/or general elective

Aerospace Engineering

This course propels students’ learning in the fundamentals of atmospheric and space flight. As they explore the physics of flight, students
bring the concepts to life by designing an airfoil, propulsion system, and rockets. They learn basic orbital mechanics using industry-standard
software. They also explore robot systems through projects such as remotely operated vehicles.

Grade Level: 11-12
Length: Year
Credits Apply Toward: Inquiry + Design
Endorsement and/or general elective

Computer Essentials

This gateway course provides an introduction to the field of computer science and a survey of computing-related topics. Topics include the history of the discipline, programming, digital logic, computer architecture, operating systems, and software applications. Students will learn the fundamentals of computer programming via expo- sure to multiple languages. Basic data types and variables, variable declarations, variable scope, and primitive operations.

Grade Level: 9-10-11-12
Length: One Semester
Credits Apply Toward: Inquiry + Design
Endorsement and/or elective

AP Computer Science Principles

This College Board course offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. The
course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. AP Computer Science Principles will give students the opportunity to use technology to address real-world problems and build relevant solutions. Together, these aspects of the course make up a rigorous and rich curriculum that aims to broaden participation in computer science.

Grade Level: 10-11-12
Length: One Semester
Credits Apply Toward: Inquiry + Design
Endorsement and/or general elective

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity introduces the tools and concepts of cybersecurity and encourages students to create solutions that allow people to share computing resources while protecting privacy. Nationally, computational resources are vulnerable and frequently attacked; in Cybersecurity, students solve problems by understanding and closing these vulnerabilities. This course raises students’ knowledge of and commitment to ethical computing behavior. It also aims to develop students’ skills as consumers, friends, citizens, and employees who can effectively con- tribute to communities with a dependable cyber-infrastructure that moves and processes information safely.

Grade Level: 11-12
Length: One Semester
Credits Apply Toward: Inquiry + Design
Endorsement and/or general electives

Components of TICE

Foundry

TICE Treks

TICE Tours

Internships / Fellowships

Curriculum

Telos

Capstone Project
The TELOS project documents how students have engaged with an issue, a problem, or a concern and can take multiple forms. Beginning sophomore year, students will join a cohort and begin conversation and exploration of complex problems in their community and beyond. As the culminating piece of the program, all TICE platforms and programs feed into the TELOS project creation, presentation, and defense.