This fall, science teacher Bakari Holmes introduced a new class, Digital Electronics. In this course, students learn to build robots and electric circuits with the help of a computer software that simulates the product’s action and response in a virtual environment. This elective is a stepping stone towards a career in engineering, following “Project Lead the Way,” a program that promotes science and engineering education for middle and high school students.

The classes are currently held in the Student Activities Center and will move to the IA Building once the reconstruction finishes. The equipment was funded by Palo Alto Partners in Education, which was searching for a course in which students can learn and apply their engineering knowledge. “Digital Electronics can show how math and science are applicable for everyday life,” Holmes said.

Students get to dissect and discover how each part of the mechanism works. “A lot of electronic devices that people use are taken for granted,” senior Neil Bhateja said. “I want to know how they work.” In addition, students will learn how to create a portfolio containing instructions and the progress of creating a circuit.

Although Holmes loves the diversity of his students who show an interest in engineering, he wishes there was a mixture of genders. “I don’t have many girls [in my class] and that’s a problem I want to solve,” Holmes said.