8th grade Foundation of comp sci or foundations of engineering?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Does anyone know what the pros/cons are of taking foundations of engineering compared to foundations of computer science in 8th grade?
Both are offered at my DD’s middle school and she is eligible to take either (she is in Algebra I now in 7th). She is very STEM focused (fav classes are always math and science) and has played around with some coding through extracurriculars and summer camp. She also had been involved in robotics (extra curriculars and summer camps). She says she enjoys both and she doesn’t know which she should take next year. Any advice from parents whose children have taken either class or made a similar choice? |
Anonymous
| Can take both (you may want to check that tho because as this thread suggests, inconsistent advice). You just may have to wait until HS to take the other one. In 8th take one of the two you listed, then the other course in HS. |
Anonymous
Engineering more fun 
|
Anonymous
|
Thanks so much for both of the replies!
My DD wants to keep up her Spanish so only has one elective left. But I hadn’t thought about whether these are semester courses or for a year. My assumption was for a the full year, but I should look into that. She’s been in a music elective, but is ready to give that one up. Kind of wish she wanted to continue, but she wants to stop for understandable reasons (although would have been an easier decision!)! |
Anonymous
| Personally the engineering class sounds more interesting. Am looking forward to my kid taking it when he reaches 8th grade. |
Anonymous
Don't give up music!😭. Typically those tech courses are full year. So take one of the Foundations in 8th and if they want to continue with another tech, do the other Foundations in 9th |
Anonymous
| My kid is going to do it in high school because really wants to take music next year for 8th, but she is planning on doing engineering because it sounds more interesting and hands on. |
Anonymous
| Related question--how does the Foundations of Engineering & Technology course compare with the PLTW Intro to Engineering Design course? Our school has PLTW but the Foundations of Engineering Course is offered in summer school. |
Anonymous
You should email the teacher or Content Lead at the MS and Tech Lead at the HS. Especially if you have questions about this course and the pathway. |
Anonymous
| *more questions |
Anonymous
Sounds like a fun hands-on summer class. |
Anonymous
|
It's software vs hardware.
Hardware is more fun for a lot of kids. It's aimed at non-honors kids with 0 experience in coding or robotics or algebra, so if your kid has gone to camps or classes for those things, they won't learn much besides some practice for reinforcement. |
Anonymous
The PLTW pathway provides opportunities to earn college credit and preferred admission to certain programs - https://www.pltw.org/experience-pltw/student-opportunities |
Anonymous
So does that mean that Intro to Engineering Design is more rigorous than Foundations of Engineering and Technology? Both are considered "advanced" classes that provide a weighted GPA bump. Thanks! |
Anonymous
|
Foundations is not Honors/AL / GPA bump.
It is a HS Tech Ed credit. Intro is above Foundations. |