About our Class
The Limestone County Career Technical Center offers students many great career development opportunities. In Pre-Engineering, students learn the engineering design process while participating in large scale projects. They design and prototype projects ranging from drones to robotic arms to real, innovative products used in local businesses. Through these projects, students learn how to form designs and then give presentations explaining their designs to college and industry leaders. They then use machines like laser engravers, 3D printers, and CNC machines to turn their designs into reality!
The Pre-Engineering department at the LCCTC consists of three course levels: Intro to Engineering, Computer Aided Design, and Project Management. Because all three of these classes are in the same space at the same time, we are presented with a great opportunity: to create projects with job responsibilities that are dictated by your level of training. Each project has a healthy balance of first year, second year, and third year students. This creates an environment where each student has a role to play in the project dictated by what course they're in. In the fall, students work on a non-FIRST project, like drones. They must design and prototype their product within the fall semester. In the spring, the class aids our FIRST robotics team, following the same steps and presentations as in the fall.
The LCCTC Pre-Engineering class seeks to emulate a real world engineering work environment while teaching students skills that will aid them in becoming an effective engineer.
In "Intro to Engineering" students learn the basics of the Engineering Design Process. While participating in their class project, they learn how to make technical documents and presentations using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. They learn about systems and how to design in such a way as to account for any hazards and lower the risk associated with each. Throughout the year students learn 3D modeling using Solid Edge. Students learn enough to pass their Associate Level Certification in Solid Edge.
The second year students take their CAD skills to the next level. They learn more advanced techniques and tools in Solid Edge like Hybrid Modeling, Surface Modeling, Sheet Metal Parts, and advance assembly features. By the end of their second year, they learn enough to pass their Professional Level Certification in Solid Edge. They are also heavily involved in making 3D models for their team's project. They help their team's 3rd year students make designs and prototypes throughout the year.
If a student has been in the class long enough to be a third year student, they become a project manager. Usually projects have two managers: one for programming and one for design. This is because a third year student may choose which area they wish to develop more: design and CAD or programming and circuitry. They are the main work-horse/brainpower of the project. As experienced students they run project meetings, help make design decisions, and ultimately have the final say in the direction of the project. In addition, they must also take on the added responsibility of keeping their team on track. They learn to manage the time and resources given to their team. They create gantt charts and regularly review them to ensure they stay on track.
Additionally, our class has implemented the material from the Manufacturing Basic Skills (MBS) program started by Lockheed Martin. This material teaches students valuable wiring skills like wire management, soldering, crimping, creating and reading wiring diagrams and schematics, and much much more. This program provides students with many job opportunities in the engineering field right out of high school.
Post-Secondary opportunities for Engineering students include associate and bachelor degree programs at UAH, Calhoun Community College, and Wallace State Community College. Students can also use their credentials to go to work immediately building components and subsystems for engineering companies like Lockheed Martin.
Credentials/Certifications Offered
- Solid Edge Associate Certification
- Solid Edge Professional Certification
- Manufacturing Basic Skills by Lockheed Martin
1st Year Students
2nd Year Students
3rd Year Students
