Lesson 1: Midterm Review Part I – Reconstructing the System

• How do physical materials become digital systems?
• What vocabulary must be precise to avoid mistakes?
• Where do misunderstandings typically occur?
• How do circuit components regulate electrical flow?
• How does binary represent decision-making?

Closed circuit
Open circuit
Trace
Resistor
Capacitor
Diode
Inductor
Switch
Integrated circuit
Processor
Binary
Input
Output
Signal
Voltage
Regulation

HS PS2-6
Communicate scientific and technical information about how molecular-level structure influences designed systems.

HS ETS1-2
Analyze components of a technological system and explain how they function together.

Science and Engineering Practices:

Developing and Using Models
Constructing Explanations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Crosscutting Concepts:

Systems and System Models
Cause and Effect
Structure and Function

• Interpreting technical diagrams
• Matching terms to functions
• Applying proportional reasoning
• Explaining cause-and-effect relationships
• Writing concise technical explanations

Day 1 – System Reconstruction and Vocabulary Precision

Students individually reconstruct the full system chain from memory:

Material structure ? Conductivity ? Circuit ? Regulation ? Binary ? Processing

They must annotate each stage with:

Key vocabulary
One example
One potential failure

Students then compare in small groups and create a unified system diagram.

Teacher clarifies and corrects misconceptions.

Purpose:
Rebuild the entire conceptual arc before drilling specifics.

DOK: 3 – Integrate multi-step system reasoning.

Day 2 – Circuit and Component Application Review

Stations around the room include:

Simple circuit diagram
PCB image
Component close-ups
Faulty circuit scenario

Students rotate and respond to prompts aligned to midterm Sections I–III

STSM Midterm

:

Identify the power source.
Trace the electrical pathway.
Explain the role of a resistor.
Explain why a diode allows one-directional current.

Students must write short, precise explanations.

Purpose:
Practice applied diagram analysis under light time pressure.

DOK: 2–3

Day 3 – Binary and Failure Analysis Practice

Students complete structured practice modeled after Sections IV and V of the midterm

STSM Midterm

:

Interpret 5-bit binary input patterns.
Determine which outputs activate.
Explain reasoning in order of activation.

Then students analyze failure scenarios:

Battery is correct but device does not power on.
Binary input fluctuates unpredictably.

Students must identify:

Possible failure
Why it stops function
Effect on output

Purpose:
Practice written multi-step explanation, which is often the most challenging portion.

DOK: 3–4

Students recognize that troubleshooting real devices uses the same reasoning chain they are practicing.

They connect:

Component failure ? System instability ? Output malfunction

This reinforces the relevance of structured technical thinking.

• Mixing up capacitor and inductor functions.
• Forgetting that traces provide pathways.
• Reversing binary logic meaning.
• Describing processor as “making decisions” without referencing binary input.
• Giving vague explanations in failure analysis.

• Provide structured review packets with clear sections.
• Offer vocabulary reference sheets.
• Allow peer explanation before written response.
• Provide guided failure-analysis sentence stems.
• Extension: Add multi-fault scenario for advanced students.

Formative Assessments:

• Completed system reconstruction diagram
• Station rotation response sheet
• Binary interpretation responses
• Failure analysis paragraph

Exit Ticket Prompt:

Explain how a failure in voltage regulation could lead to incorrect binary interpretation inside a processor.

Evaluation Criteria:

Accurate vocabulary use
Clear cause-and-effect reasoning
Logical sequencing
Integration of multiple system layers