1995 - 2020
Dakota Design Technology
"Project based learning where design meets innovation"
Note: Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. Please be patient as this website loads. There are over 20,000 amazing photos and videos of students, designing, engineering, fabricating and testing their projects. You will see how projects were built from "Concept to Completion" while students are having fun learning about the world of design and engineering.
This website celebrates the Legacy of Innovation within the Design Technology program at Dakota High School, which ran from September 1995 to June 2020. The program inspired and empowered thousands of students to explore their passions and talents in design, engineering, and technology. On this site, you will see some of the amazing projects that they produced, as well as photos, videos, testimonials, and stories from their experiences from the past 25 years of innovation and creativity.
This website is a place to honor and remember the wonderful students who participated in this unique opportunity to learn and apply design thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills in various domains of design and technology in a world-class facility. This website showcases some of the impressive projects that they created, as well as the fun and meaningful moments that they all shared. We invite you to explore the site and discover the impact of the DHS Design Technology program.
We are proud of the DHS Design Technology alumni and grateful for their contributions to the world of design and engineering or any other career choice they made. Whether you are a former student, a teacher, a parent, or a visitor, we hope you enjoy browsing through the memories and achievements of the DHS Design Technology community.
This website is a place to honor and remember the wonderful students who participated in this unique opportunity to learn and apply design thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills in various domains of design and technology in a world-class facility. This website showcases some of the impressive projects that they created, as well as the fun and meaningful moments that they all shared. We invite you to explore the site and discover the impact of the DHS Design Technology program.
We are proud of the DHS Design Technology alumni and grateful for their contributions to the world of design and engineering or any other career choice they made. Whether you are a former student, a teacher, a parent, or a visitor, we hope you enjoy browsing through the memories and achievements of the DHS Design Technology community.
"Today's Champions....Tomorrow's Leaders"
"2020 Detroit Autorama Winner"
"Ten Time National Champion in Technical Design"
"Twelve Time Top National Finalist in Technical Design"
"Twelve Time State Champion in Technical Design"
"Two Time State Champion Avanti Stellar Scholars Award for Automotive Design"
"Ten Time Grand Champion for the Michigan Industrial and Education Technology Society"
"SkillsUSA State Champion in Quiz Bowl and National 4th Place"
"Back-to-Back Gold Medalists for Daimler-Chrysler Corporation Build Your Dream Vehicle"
"National Silver Medalist for Daimler-Chrysler Corporation Build Your Dream Vehicle"
"Ten Time National Champion in Technical Design"
"Twelve Time Top National Finalist in Technical Design"
"Twelve Time State Champion in Technical Design"
"Two Time State Champion Avanti Stellar Scholars Award for Automotive Design"
"Ten Time Grand Champion for the Michigan Industrial and Education Technology Society"
"SkillsUSA State Champion in Quiz Bowl and National 4th Place"
"Back-to-Back Gold Medalists for Daimler-Chrysler Corporation Build Your Dream Vehicle"
"National Silver Medalist for Daimler-Chrysler Corporation Build Your Dream Vehicle"
2020 MCTEAA Award Winner - CTE Student of the Year - Bianca Vitale
Bianca accepts her "CTE Student of the Year" award from Chippewa Valley's CTE Director, Ms. Claire Brisson and Macomb County Executive, Mr. Mark Hackel
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Veteran teacher, Scott Mitchell, describes Bianca as, “one of the best and brightest students I have taught in all my years in education. She possesses an inquisitive mind with an ingenious ability to comprehend, analyze, and solve complex problems by applying engineering concepts.” Dedicated, professional, and mature beyond her years, she also has excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Respected by her peers, she humbly demonstrates leadership and generously gives of herself both in and outside of the classroom. Bianca serves as Vice President of the Society of Women Engineers, has been a member of Key Club, the National Honor Society, her church, and works two jobs. As a math tutor at Mathnasium, she uses her higher-level math skills to help others. She says that math is much easier to comprehend because of the abundant, practical application she has experienced throughout her three years in the Design Technology program. Her teacher has observed that her enthusiasm and pursuit of excellence is inspiring and motivating to other students and her efforts have created a happier and more productive class environment. After graduation, Bianca plans to attend Kettering University to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Chippewa Valley Schools is proud to honor Bianca Vitale as our Outstanding CTE Senior!
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Bianca shows off one of her many amazing Engineering Design Projects.
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2020 Detroit Autorama Champions
Congratulations! Dakota High School CTE Design Technology
Current senior students partnered with Design alumni (DHS class of 2018) on a vehicle project called the “Scorpion” that received two 1st Place Awards at the 2020 Detroit Autorama! THANK YOU to all of our SPONSORS!!!
Current senior students partnered with Design alumni (DHS class of 2018) on a vehicle project called the “Scorpion” that received two 1st Place Awards at the 2020 Detroit Autorama! THANK YOU to all of our SPONSORS!!!
Scorpion in the News
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2020 Scorpion Final Assembly
2018 R&D Project Update
Students in Mr. Mitchell's Research and Development class are making great progress towards the completion of their Senior Level Capstone Projects thanks to our wonderful sponsors. Check out their progress here.
Students in the News
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2017 Senior Jenna Diegel helped invent and develop an entire label making system for a company while using the latest in 3D software and 3D printing technology accomplished right here at Dakota High School. Jenna used her design and engineering experience learned in the Design Technology program along with her amazing academic ability to produce a top-quality product that works every time. We are truly proud of Jenna and her accomplishments.
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Curriculum Night
Parents and students from the Chippewa Valley community got a chance to visit Dakota High School for Curriculum Night to see all the great CTE and academic programs offered at the school. Below senior students from the Design Technology Program showcase their work and describe what they have learned throughout their high school career.
2018 - 2019
2017 - 2018
2016 MCTEAA Award Winner - CTE Student of the Year
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Rachel Zaprawa was selected as one of the best and brightest CTE students in Macomb County during the 26th annual Macomb Career Technical Education Administrators Association Awards celebration held on February 5th, 2016. In a program where women are still a minority, Rachel Zaprawa, a 4th year Design Technology student at Dakota High School has not only persisted, but has flourished and become an exemplary role model for other young women. Her design concepts are consistently creative and showcase her ability to solve complex problems in pursuit of excellence. She leads by example, whereby her enthusiasm and dedication inspire both students and staff, and many classmates find themselves seeking her advice. Research on her senior electric vehicle project is characteristically thorough and just one example of how she applies her strong work ethic to perform at the highest levels. Among her many outstanding skills and qualities, Rachel possesses what employers repeatedly tell us they need most:exceptional communication skills. Rachel plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at Kettering University, Congratulation Rachel. |
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News Articles
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2016 General Dynamics Tour
Team Stryker
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Team Abrams
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We would like to thank General Dynamics for inviting our Research and Development students, to General Dynamics for Engineer's Week. Students had the opportunity to tour their amazing facilities and work with some great engineers. Our students also participated in a Quiz Bowl event sponsored by General Dynamics where they had to answer questions related to math, science, engineering and general information. Team Stryker won the event.
Past Project Examples
Sample yearly projects designed and fabricated by our Design Technology students.
Click HERE to see other Past Projects or go to top of page for full project list.