Select A Department

School Level

Department

Technology

Principles of Technology and Design

Computer Programming I

Computer Programming II

Robotics I

Robotics II

Faculty

Jared Curtis

Science Department Chair and Middle School Science and Robotics Teacher

832-204-5900

Brigham Young University - B.S.
University of Houston - M.Ed.

Jcurtis@emeryweiner.org

2012
Bio
Jared has been with EWS since 2012. Before arriving at EWS, Jared taught in public schools for several years in both Utah and Texas, during which time his dedication and achievements in the classroom earned him a Teacher of the Year Award. He was also the recipient of the Rav Preida Award for Teaching Excellence at EWS in 2016. Jared currently teaches sixth Grade Life Science, sixth Grade Life Science Honors, and Middle School Robotics. He also sponsors the middle school’s Robotics Club and Chess Club, and is the founder of “Meh”, EWS’s very own staff and student ukulele band. In his free time Jared enjoys spending time with his family, geocaching, playing board games, reading, and watching/playing sports.
Walker Fair

Technical Fine Arts and Performing Arts Teacher

832-204-5900

Tulane University - B.S.

wfair@emeryweiner.org

2015
Bio
Walker teaches all levels of stagecraft and design and builds EWS’s theatrical productions. He graduated with a B.S. from Tulane University. Walker has worked in professional theatre, community theatre, and educational theatre venues over the past 20 years. During that time, he has produced over 100 stage productions. Before joining EWS, Walker taught technical theatre at St. John’s School. He has designed productions for Kinkaid, Episcopal, Stratford, Duchesne, and a number of churches and other organizations. He and his wife, Jessie, are the proud parents of two elementary-school aged kids. Walker serves on the board of directors for a local retirement community, is active in his church, and tinkers with technology in his spare time.
Brandon Kirby

Computer Science and Technology Department Chair

832-204-5900

Prairie View A&M University - B.S.
Vanderbilt University - M.S.

bkirby@emeryweiner.org

2014
Bio
Brandon has been with EWS since 2014. Before arriving at EWS, Brandon taught in a public and several private schools in Tennessee and Alabama. Brandon has taught a variety of high school science classes including Environmental Science, Biology, and Chemistry. In addition to teaching, Brandon has served as the sponsor for several Science Olympiad teams, assistant coach for a Trap and Skeet team, Student Government Association sponsor, and Technology Specialist. Brandon currently teaches Computer Programming I and II, Robotics I and II, and Creating Mobile Apps courses. He also works with several student groups who’ve expressed interest in web design, game design, and other STEM projects. In his free time Brandon enjoys gardening, learning new programming languages, spending time with his family, and designing experiments for home and school.

Grade Level: 9^th – 12th	Length of Course: 1 semester
Prerequisite: None
Course Description: Through this course, students will learn about computer organization, hardware and software, file management, and computational thinking – the basis of computer science. Students will learn to break down, analyze and develop logic-based solutions to complex problems, to recognize patterns, create computational artifacts, and use algorithms and flowcharts in the development of computer applications. Subsequent technology courses will further develop skills taught in Principles of Technology and Design.

Grade Level: 10th – 12th	Length of Course: 1 semester
Prerequisite: Completion of Computer Programming I
Course Description: This course is designed to further student understanding of object-oriented programming using Python or JavaScript. Students learn advanced object-oriented concepts including abstraction, inheritance, and working with graphics. Programs designed by students move beyond interactions with semi-intelligent users, as students utilize their understanding of Exceptions and Exception Handling to create and test programs.

Grade Level: 9th – 12th	Length of Course: 1 semester
Prerequisite: Completion of Principles of Technology and Design or one semester of an Upper School Technology Course
Course Description: As an introductory course in robotics, students design and build robots using Tetrix robotics building components. Students create programs to control their robots autonomously and using remote controls. This course focuses on designing and constructing robots to complete assigned tasks. Through implementation of the design process, students transfer advanced academic skills to component designs in a project-based environment. Students build prototypes and test their designs. As part of design teams, students will explore multi-robot solutions to complex problems.

Grade Level: 9th – 12th	Length of Course: 1 semester
Prerequisite: Student must have taken Robotics I (course: 8813 or 8823)
Course Description: As an intermediate course in robotics, students design and build autonomous and semi-autonomous robots using an array of building materials and their choice of programming language(s). Miniaturized computing modules such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi serve as the starting grounds for robots. Students learn to build circuits and program robot behaviors using a tradition-al, text-based language. Through implementation of the design process, students transfer advanced academic skills to component designs in a project-based environment. Additionally, students may use 3D modeling software and printers to create custom robotics parts.

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Select A Department

Technology

Principles of Technology and Design

Computer Programming I

Computer Programming II

Robotics I

Robotics II

Faculty

The Emery/Weiner School

Grade Level: 10th – 12th
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra I
Course Description: The Computer Programming I course is designed to introduce students with some programming experience to object-oriented programming. Students use program flowcharts and pseudocode to map solutions to problems, and as a basis for application development. Working with Python or JavaScript, students develop and troubleshoot software applications. As an introductory course, emphasis is placed on keywords and syntax, data types, and program flow and control structures.