Fall Semester: Safety, Metal Fabrication & Structural Design

1st Six Weeks: Shop Safety, Leadership & Material Layout

• Weeks 1–2: General & Shop Safety Certification

  • Laboratory orientation, personal protective equipment (PPE), OSHA standards.

  • Safety Data Sheets (SDS), fire suppression, hazardous materials, and bloodborne pathogens.

  • Deliverable: Safety Exam (100% mastery required prior to lab entry).  <****on _ngcontent-ng-c929298330="" aria-controls="sources" aria-describedby="p-rc_d39da30f0b847b08-24 cdk-describedby-message-ng-1-10" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Learn More" cdk-describedby-host="ng-1" hide-from-message-actions="" jslog="220646;track:generic_click,impression">

• Weeks 3–4: Hand & Power Tool Operation

  • Selection, care, and usage of mechanical hand tools, stationary tools (drill press, cold cut saw, band saw), and portable power tools (angle grinders, circular saws).  <****on _ngcontent-ng-c929298330="" aria-controls="sources" aria-describedby="p-rc_d39da30f0b847b08-25 cdk-describedby-message-ng-1-10" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Learn More" cdk-describedby-host="ng-1" hide-from-message-actions="" jslog="220646;track:generic_click,impression">

  • Maintenance, tool inspection, and lab workflow safety.  <****on _ngcontent-ng-c929298330="" aria-controls="sources" aria-describedby="p-rc_d39da30f0b847b08-26 cdk-describedby-message-ng-1-10" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Learn More" cdk-describedby-host="ng-1" hide-from-message-actions="" jslog="220646;track:generic_click,impression">

• Weeks 5–6: Precision Measurement, Drafting & CAD

  • Standard vs. metric measurement, precision layout tools (squares, calipers, micrometers).

  • Computer-Aided Design (CAD / SketchUp) techniques, reading blueprints, drawing structural plans, and bill of materials (BOM) cost estimation.  <****on _ngcontent-ng-c929298330="" aria-controls="sources" aria-describedby="p-rc_d39da30f0b847b08-27 cdk-describedby-message-ng-1-10" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Learn More" cdk-describedby-host="ng-1" hide-from-message-actions="" jslog="220646;track:generic_click,impression">

2nd Six Weeks: Thermal Cutting Processes & SMAW (Stick Welding)

• Weeks 7–9: Thermal Cutting & Metal Preparation

  • Oxy-fuel cutting equipment setup, cylinder handling, lighting, and flame adjustment.  <****on _ngcontent-ng-c929298330="" aria-controls="sources" aria-describedby="p-rc_d39da30f0b847b08-28 cdk-describedby-message-ng-1-10" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Learn More" cdk-describedby-host="ng-1" hide-from-message-actions="" jslog="220646;track:generic_click,impression">

  • Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC) operation, straight cuts, beveling, piercing, and joint preparation.

• Weeks 10–12: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

  • Equipment setup, polarities, electrode selection (E6010, E7018), and amperage selection.

  • Striking an arc, running beads, pad of beads, and joint fabrication (****, lap, tee) in flat and horizontal positions.

  • Visual inspection of welds and non-destructive testing basics.

3rd Six Weeks: Wire-Fed Welding (GMAW/FCAW) & Cold Metalworking

• <* data-index-in-node="0" data-path-to-node="8,0,0">Weeks 13–15: Gas Metal Arc (MIG) & Flux-Cored Welding

  • GMAW / FCAW machine setup, shielding gas selection, wire feed speed, and voltage tuning.

  • Short-circuit transfer mode, fillet/groove welds on sheet metal and structural tubing.

• Weeks 16–18: Cold Metalworking, Fasteners & Midterm Project

  • Metal identification, cold bending, drilling, threading, tapping, and structural fasteners.

  • Semester Deliverable: Midterm small-scale metal fabrication project (e.g., shop table, jack stands, or welding stool).

Spring Semester: Ag Construction, Systems & Capstone Project

4th Six Weeks: Carpentry & Concrete Systems

• Weeks 19–21: Agricultural Carpentry & Wood Construction

  • Lumber grading, selecting structural timber, pneumatic nailers, and framing fasteners.

  • Wall framing, rafters, trusses, sheathing, and roof pitch calculations.

• Weeks 22–24: Concrete & Masonry Systems

  • Concrete mixing ratios, subgrade preparation, formwork construction, rebar/mesh reinforcement.

  • Pouring, leveling, floating, finishing, and curing concrete pads for ag structures.

5th Six Weeks: Electrical, Plumbing & Environmental Systems

• Weeks 25–27: Agricultural Electrical Wiring

  • AC electrical safety, NFPA/NEC basic codes, service panels, and single-phase circuits.

  • Wiring switches, duplex outlets, light fixtures, conduit bending (EMT/PVC), and box installations.

• Weeks 28–30: Ag Plumbing, Fencing & Water Systems

  • Pipe sizing, fitting identification, cutting, and joining (PVC, PEX, threaded steel).

  • Fencing materials (T-posts, wire tensioning, H-brace construction), livestock watering systems, and waste handling principles.

6th Six Weeks: Capstone Project & Industry Certifications

• Weeks 31–34: Major Structural Fabrication / Capstone

  • Group/class fabrication project (e.g., livestock trailer repair, utility shed, corral panels, farm gate, or greenhouse).

  • Full workflow: Design proposal → Cut list → Fabrication → Finish/Paint.

• Weeks 35–36: Industry Certifications & Lab Closing

  • Industry Credential Testing (e.g., AWS Entry-Level Welder, OSHA 10-Hour, or NCCER Core).

  • Final shop inventory, equipment maintenance, and SAE/AET record book completion.

Year-Round Integrated Components

• Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE): Student tracking of foundational and immersion projects (Ag Mechanics Design and Fabrication project logbook).

• FFA Integration: Preparation for Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems CDEs, Ag Mechanics project shows, and leadership development.  <****on _ngcontent-ng-c929298330="" aria-controls="sources" aria-describedby="p-rc_d39da30f0b847b08-29 cdk-describedby-message-ng-1-10" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Learn More" cdk-describedby-host="ng-1" hide-from-message-actions="" jslog="220646;track:generic_click,impression">