David Thompson offers hands-on opportunities for students to engage in real world learning. Career exploration is a major component of our technical studies. Our elective students enjoy a positive experience and work environment.

Electronics and Robotics 10

This is a course for students interested in why materials break, how planes fly, and what makes a rocket go. Students will be introduced to materials testing, aeronautical concepts, and technical drawings through projects in the areas of materials testing, airplane wing design and hydraulics.

Electronics 11

This course is both an introductory course for students wishing to explore the world of electronics as well as a course for students with prior experience who will be offered a more advanced study of electronics.

Electronics 12

This course is for students interested in an advanced study of electronics as well as students with prior experience who want to continue developing skills at more advanced project levels.

Robotics 11

Come and have fun by building and programming codes for robots. Students will learn the principles of robotics and automation. We have a Robotics Team that competes in a variety of competitions (VEX Robotics competitions). 

Robotics 12

Have fun and build robots!  We learn robotics at a higher scale. Students learn a higher level of mechanical, electrical and program coding for robots.

Engineering 11

This is a course for students interested in how bridges, planes, and fluids are engineered to work in everyday life. Students will be introduced to electrical, structural, aeronautical, and hydraulic engineering through projects.

Engineering 12

This is a course for students that have a strong background in Mathematics and Physics and will build on concepts learned in previous engineering or physics courses. Students will combine their electrical, structural, aeronautical, and hydraulic knowledge to create larger scale projects.

Power Technology 10

This course teaches the skills required to successfully service engines.  The main objectives are to introduce students to hand tools and their correct use; to familiarize students with the principles involved in the operation of the 2-stroke and 4-stroke cycle engines; to introduce automotive technology; and to introduce related skills such as manual specification reading, basic metal work, welding and the use of taps and dies.

Automotive Technology 11

This is an introductory course in automobile mechanics with emphasis on automotive service and maintenance.  It will cover engines, fuel systems and ignition systems; safe equipment operation with our new hoists; brake checks; tire changing and balancing; general maintenance such as oil change and lubrication; cooling system and servicing; battery construction and servicing; minor tune-ups and repairs; and automatic transmission theory.

Automotive Technology 12

This course requires students to complete three labs and to gain practical experience by working on vehicles brought, with the instructor’s approval, into the automotive shop.  Topics include engine construction and rebuilding; brake systems and servicing; carburetion/fuel injection; circuit maintenance and repairs; ignition and engine analyzer; automatic transmission theory and minor services.

Drafting 10

This is a FUN introductory course ideal for students who want to explore the world of architecture, interior design and/or engineering.

Drafting 11

This is a FUN course, highly recommended for students who are considering/pursuing a professional career in architecture, interior design and/or engineering. Assignments and projects will vary from year to year.

Drafting 12

This course is highly recommended for students who are considering/pursuing a professional career in architecture, interior design and/or engineering. This course encompasses both board and computer drafting with emphasis on computer-assisted design. Assignments may be chosen from various mechanical engineering and architectural design field(s). 

Jewellery Art and Design 10

Students will be able to focus on areas of interest such as:

• Chain making, chain mail
• Lost-wax casting of silver rings, pendants, earrings
• Copper enameling of jewelry and decorative ornaments
• Hard and soft soldering
• Lamp work glass bead making 
• Wire wrapping with beads/bracelets, necklaces, and earrings

Jewellery 11

Students will be able to focus on areas of interest such as:

• Advanced silver casting including stone setting in rings, pendants, and earrings
• Silver band ring making including stone and bezel setting
• Advanced wire wrapping techniques with beads
• Advanced enamelling including stencilling and champlevé
• Chasing and Repoussé
• Foldforming

Art Metal and Jewellery 12

Students will be able to focus on areas of interest such as:

• Advanced casting including complex ring designs and multiple stone setting
• Band ring making including multiple stone and bezel setting
• Advanced wire wrapping techniques
• Cubic zirconium ring set
• Advanced lamp work glass bead making
• Advanced copper enamelling including cloisonnéé
• CAD 3D printing, casting and manufacturing

Metalwork 11

This intermediate course is designed to allow the student to experience a wide range of metal shaping, forming and cutting techniques. The knowledge gained will also be of considerable value for a student considering a career in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Metal Fabrication, or as a Machinist, Mill Wright or Welder.

Metalwork 12

This is the next course after successfully completing Metalwork 11. It will further enhance the skills learned in the previous course through activities such as TIG welding steel and aluminum, advanced gas welding, arc welding, turning internal and external threads, extensive use of the big lathes and the milling machines, sand blasting.

Woodwork 10

This course will introduce students to a wide range of topics that will enable them to take a project from start to finish. Topics include safe use of basic hand tools and power tools; various finishing treatments for wood; wood turning, table saw, jointers and thickness planers.  Projects may include a 2 deck card box, a step stool, a wall mirror with etched glass, band saw box.

Woodwork 11

One component of this course will require students to produce a project using the computerized router. The students will also explore the processes involved in mass producing a project. Wood turning will also be a major component in this course with the expectation that the students’ work will be entered into an international competition. 

Woodwork 12

Activities include selecting projects which will be taken from the design to the wood finishing phase; building a chess board and then designing a piece of furniture/cabinet to incorporate chess board; estimating materials and costs; using advanced joinery techniques; learning how to utilize various equipment and processes to incorporate mouldings, panels and turnings; and using the lathe to make cabinet legs, drawer pulls, bowls, etc.

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