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  • Past Projects
    • 2018 - 2019 R&D
    • 2018 - 2019 Architecture
    • 2018 - 2019 Drift Trike
    • 2018 - 2019 Eng Design
    • 2018 - 2019 Mech Design
    • 2018 - 2019 Tech Design
    • 2017 - 2018 R&D
    • 2017 - 2018 Drift Trike
    • 2017 - 2018 Eng Design
    • 2017 - 2018 Tech Design
    • 2016 - 2017 R&D
    • 2016 - 2017 Eng Design
    • 2015 - 2016 R&D
    • 2015 - 2016 Eng Design
    • 2015 - 2016 Tech Design
    • 2014 - 2015 Eng Design
    • 2014 - 2015 Tech Design
    • 2013 - 2014 Eng Design
    • Boat Regatta
    • Bridge Building
    • Catapults
    • Design Tech Alumni
    • Drawings and Sketches
    • Door Decorating Contest
    • Egg Crash Vehicles
    • Electric Vehicles #1
    • Electric Vehicles #2
    • King of the Hill
    • Misc Projects
    • Monster Trucks
    • Motorcycle Street Machine
    • Pneumatic Launchers
    • Pneumatic Powered Vehicle
    • 2009 - 2010 Interior Design
    • 2011 - 2012 PVC Vehicles
    • 2007 - 2008 PVC Vehicles
    • ScoreBOT Challenge
    • Transportation Technology



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Dakota Design Technology

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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.

"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"



 2020 MCTEAA Award Winner - CTE Student of the Year - Bianca Vitale

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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
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.
2020 MCTEAA Awards Breakfast
File Size: 10888 kb
File Type: pdf
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30th Annual CTE Awards Celebration
File Size: 5521 kb
File Type: pdf
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2020 MCTEAA Award Winners
File Size: 278 kb
File Type: pdf
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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!!!

​Scorpion in the News

2020 Macomb Daily - Scorpion
File Size: 478 kb
File Type: pdf
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2020 Macomb Chronicle - Scorpion
File Size: 296 kb
File Type: pdf
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2020 Breaking News at Autorama
File Size: 872 kb
File Type: pdf
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2020 CTE Design Tech at Autorama
File Size: 8971 kb
File Type: pdf
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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.
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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

2020 Macomb Daily - CTE Celebrates
File Size: 532 kb
File Type: pdf
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2018 Macomb Daily Article
File Size: 1103 kb
File Type: pdf
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2018 Successful Dakota Alumni
File Size: 1479 kb
File Type: pdf
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2018 CEO Roundtable
File Size: 841 kb
File Type: pdf
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Channel 7 Student Interview
File Size: 353 kb
File Type: pdf
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The Voice - Macomb
File Size: 273 kb
File Type: pdf
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DMA Conference
File Size: 300 kb
File Type: pdf
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CTE Award Recipients
File Size: 64 kb
File Type: pdf
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CTE Award Winners
File Size: 217 kb
File Type: pdf
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2015 Macomb Daily
File Size: 598 kb
File Type: pdf
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2016 MCTEAA Award Winners
File Size: 491 kb
File Type: pdf
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Design Technology Infused In STEM
File Size: 86 kb
File Type: pdf
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2009 Macomb Daily
File Size: 302 kb
File Type: pdf
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2010 Macomb Daily
File Size: 189 kb
File Type: pdf
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2012 Macomb Daily
File Size: 4212 kb
File Type: pdf
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2014 Macomb Daily
File Size: 3917 kb
File Type: pdf
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Oceana's Herald-Journal
File Size: 17 kb
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2016 General Dynamics Tour

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Team Stryker
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Team Abrams
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.

Map to Dakota High School

Copyright © 1996-2025 Dakota Design Tech. All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARKS
The content and design of this website are the property of Dakota Design Tech, with all rights reserved. The website and its contents are intended for the individual, noncommercial, educational use   of website users. No user of this website may resell, republish, download or copy any portion of this website or its contents for commercial use without prior written permission of Dakota Design Tech. The website user is advised that the information on the website credited to other sources or contained on links may be copyrighted and subject to copyright laws. All trademarks, service marks, logos and trade names (“Marks”) displayed on this Site, whether registered or unregistered, are the exclusive property of Dakota Design Tech (or other persons where so indicated), and are protected under law.  Use of any of these Marks without prior written permission of Dakota Design Tech or other owner is strictly prohibited.

Updated  May 2025
  • Home
  • Instructor
  • Program Courses
    • Engineering Design >
      • Assignments
    • Research and Development >
      • Assignments
    • Mechanical Design >
      • Assignments
    • Technical Design >
      • Assignments
    • Transportation Technology >
      • Assignments
  • Fabrication Lab
  • Awards
  • SWE
  • Current Projects
    • Research and Development
    • Engineering Design
    • Mechanical Design
    • Technical Design
  • Past Projects
    • 2018 - 2019 R&D
    • 2018 - 2019 Architecture
    • 2018 - 2019 Drift Trike
    • 2018 - 2019 Eng Design
    • 2018 - 2019 Mech Design
    • 2018 - 2019 Tech Design
    • 2017 - 2018 R&D
    • 2017 - 2018 Drift Trike
    • 2017 - 2018 Eng Design
    • 2017 - 2018 Tech Design
    • 2016 - 2017 R&D
    • 2016 - 2017 Eng Design
    • 2015 - 2016 R&D
    • 2015 - 2016 Eng Design
    • 2015 - 2016 Tech Design
    • 2014 - 2015 Eng Design
    • 2014 - 2015 Tech Design
    • 2013 - 2014 Eng Design
    • Boat Regatta
    • Bridge Building
    • Catapults
    • Design Tech Alumni
    • Drawings and Sketches
    • Door Decorating Contest
    • Egg Crash Vehicles
    • Electric Vehicles #1
    • Electric Vehicles #2
    • King of the Hill
    • Misc Projects
    • Monster Trucks
    • Motorcycle Street Machine
    • Pneumatic Launchers
    • Pneumatic Powered Vehicle
    • 2009 - 2010 Interior Design
    • 2011 - 2012 PVC Vehicles
    • 2007 - 2008 PVC Vehicles
    • ScoreBOT Challenge
    • Transportation Technology