Thurgood Marshall Middle School – Gateway to Technology Grade 7

Mar 2026 · 2nd Semester

The Gateway to Technology (GTT) curriculum provides project-based learning — a hands-on approach. It also promotes communication and collaboration by emphasizing a teaming approach. Design and Modeling (DM) is the first foundational course in the GTT series of courses. It is recommended that any seventh grade student completing a GTT course for the first time take Design and Modeling. Automation and Robotics (AR) is the second foundational course in the GTT Series of courses. Seventh grade students in their second year of GTT are encouraged to take Automation and Robotics (AR). Students learn about the history and impact of automation and robotics as they explore mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Using the VEX Robotics $\\textcircled{8}$ platform, students apply what they know to design and program traffic lights, robotic arms, and more. This course satisfies the MSDE Computational Thinking/ Learning requirement.