Senior Seminar
Descriptions of the Technology Laboratories
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Laboratory
Students explore the fundamentals of graphic design and the utilization of a computer-aided design program.
Desktop Publishing Laboratory
Students explore the realm of electronic page layout and produce documents using a desktop publishing system consisting of a computer, laser printer, scanner and software.
Video Production
The availability of low cost camcorders, video editing software and YouTube allows anyone to generate videos for family, fun, education, politics, business, etc. Video production is an ubiquitous part of our global society. Students can explore the world of Video Production using Apple iMovie and Final Cut Express, Flip and Canon video cameras and iMac computers.
Electron Microscopy Laboratory
Students have the opportunity to explore the basic concepts and techniques associated with studying the ultra structure of biological specimens using the CVGS Hitachi N3400 scanning electron microscope. Digital technology is used to produce prints from specimen micrographs. Student specimen micrographs are digitally captured and archived on the SEM web server. Students produce digitally enhanced inkjet prints of the images.
Holography Laboratory
Students learn the fundamental principles of holography, the techniques required to produce various types of holograms and applications of holography in areas such as structural stress analysis and optical data storage.
High-Speed Photography Laboratory
Students learn how to digitally capture images and use Photoshop to produce master images of objects or phenomena that occur at high speeds – things that the human eye normally cannot see. They use electronic sound, light, or contact triggers to trip electronic flash units that freeze the action, or they may use strobe photography for analyzing phenomena over a longer period of time.
Microbiology / Biotechnology Laboratory
In the biotechnology lab, students learn research protocols for culturing microorganisms and isolating DNA, RNA and proteins. Techniques for DNA extraction, restriction analysis, PCR and transformations will be explored. Microbiology labs include analysis of water, food and microorganism characteristics while learning the proper safety techniques.
Web Resources for Students Micro Biotech
Nuclear Science Laboratory
Students explore radioisotope characteristics and applications with scalar rate meters interfaced to Geiger tubes, gamma ray spectroscopy with nuclear scintillation systems, or radon monitoring utilizing electret-passive environmental radon monitoring (E-PERM) systems.
Robotics Laboratory
Students investigate the fundamentals of robotics technology and program a Rhino Robot XR-3 Arm to operate in a work cell environment and create special task robots using LOGO Mindstorm sets.
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Students investigate the fundamentals of a GIS and how to link information to geographical places on a map. Students will use ArcView to view and create their own GIS.