Themes for the semester:  What is it?  How does it work? How did it get this way? What did I do and why? How can I explain this? How can I show the community what I have done

Computer Components
The whole class figures out what each component of a modern computer system is;  what it is, how it works, its historical context, common problems, and common solutions.  Each student will research and report on one of the essential parts. Students may work in pairs, but each pair must create two sets of product.  The product of this research will be web pages, printed pages, and a three dimensional display.  All product will include text, photos and physical objects for the display.

Plywood computer
Each student or pair of students will build a working computer out of junk parts.  If two students are working together, the pair must create two computers, but the building of the second one will not be the same as the building of the first.  Assemble the parts on a piece of plywood.  Make the computer work predictably, learn how and why it works.  The output of this project will be:  plywood computer, web and print documentation including text, photos and links to resources, and a display for presentation in the school and community.

Fixing broken computers
Find broken computers in the school and community, trouble shoot them, identify future uses for the computer, replace nonfunctioning parts, load the appropriate software, make sure that there are no software conflicts, make it work consistently.
Document the work performed and ideas learned for print and web with text and photos.

Arrange the room for the course and semester
The work of the semester is heavily dependent on properly storing parts, projects and tools.  These things must be stowed away when the class is not in session, so that other classes can use the room effectively.  We will need to store bulk parts, tools, and projects being done.  We will need to move and configure shelves and cabinets for this purpose.  If secure storage is needed for your project, this can be arranged.

Building computers from kit
It is possible to purchase kits of computers that you can build yourself.  If these kits are purchased by the school, the resulting computer will be kept for use in the school.  If these computers are purchased by students or other organizations, they will belong to whoever bought them.  Kit computers should be kept organized and secure to make sure that they can be ultimately assembled.  Once built, they will need troubleshooting so that they can operate consistently.  The end product of this project will be text and photos formatted for print and web.  The documentation will include an explanation of what you did, how you did it and why you did it that way.

Individual projects
Identify project at start, what are the goals, desired product, resources believed necessary. Gather resources for the project  such as information, supplies and tools.  Do the project, keep in mind your original goals and desired product.  You will document the project in web and print form with text, photos, notes, physical objects.