Technology Department

PERFORMANCE FITNESS: ATHLETICS

1/2 Credit // Grades 9-12

All upper school students are required to take 1 credit of physical education. Students must earn at least ½ credit of physical education through taking an FRA physical education course as a curricular component of the school day. Students may earn their second required ½ credit of physical education through participation in FRA athletics. Those students who complete one semester of dance team or one full athletic season are eligible. Students who leave a team prior to the end of a season are not eligible to receive PE credit. As with other graduation requirements, students can only earn credit through activity offered by FRA. Outside offerings cannot satisfy graduation requirements, nor can FRA club offerings. Credit earned through participation in FRA athletics will be on a credit/no-credit basis and recorded on a student’s transcript as “Physical Education: Athletics” without a letter or numerical grade.

*Please note that students can only earn ½ credit on their transcripts through FRA athletics. Further athletic participation will not show up on student transcripts. Students on both varsity and JV teams may earn credit. While team managers are vital to our athletics program, they may not earn transcript credit for a manager role. In case of injury, students who continue to regularly attend practices and games and participate as they are able may still earn PE credit. This policy will begin with the 2021-22 school year. Participation in FRA athletics before this year will not be shown on FRA transcripts. endurance, joint mobility, speed, agility, and nutrition. Mental aspects of training such as motivation, work ethic and goal setting will also be addressed. Completion of this course will enhance overall health and athletic ability. Students will also have the tools to live a healthy lifestyle as they move onto the next phase of their life.

DANCE ½ Credit

The objective of the upper school dance course is to expose the students to a variety of dance techniques in a structured dance class. These techniques include; Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary Jazz/Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theater-style Jazz and Hip Hop.

ADVANCED DANCE

½ Credit

Advanced dance will be a teacher approved dance class for experienced, advanced dancers. These dancers will be training in technical styles of dance including, ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern and hip hop. The student will also study improvisation, choreography and dance history. The objective of this class is to further the technical knowledge and skills of the advanced dancer.

Technology practice and theory is an integral part of the learning process at FRA. Students use laptop PCs to explore various computer/technology applications including: Microsoft Office Suite; Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; online presentation software; and web design software. Along with the practical applications of these programs, students also discuss ethical and safety concerns living in a digital world. Technology students are also exposed to 3D printers, the laser cutter/engraver, and other equipment in the Innovation Lab. In addition to the courses listed below, Engineering and Robotics may also be taken to fulfill the one semester technology requirement.

TECHNOLOGY (1/2 CREDIT REQUIRED)

Course Options: (one semester each): Technology: Gaming & Simulation* (9–12) Digital Publications: Yearbook (9–12) Digital Media* (10–12) Innovations (9–12) Graphic Design* (9–12) Technology & Design Thinking* (9–12) AP Computer Science Principles (10–12) Broadcast Journalism (9–12) Broadcast Journalism II (9–12)

*One-semester course

TECHNOLOGY: GAMING & SIMULATION

½ Credit

Students will learn the foundation of computer programming in this class. Introductory topics include gaming industry history, game development processes, game genres, storyboarding, game environment, character design, interface design, game play, AI, the psychology of game design, and professionalism. Students will develop various games using various game design applications.

DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS: YEARBOOK

1 Credit

Digital Publications is a year-long class within the Upper School Technology Department. The class focuses on producing FRA’s national award-winning annual. A maximum of 8 students will be allowed on staff each year through an application process.

DIGITAL MEDIA

½ Credit

Digital Media explores multiple forms of online media in the 21st Century – how we consume and create media as well as how we can determine what is fact from fiction

from various media sources. Students will learn how to conduct interviews as well as write, edit, photograph, manipulate, and produce pieces for an online blog. Sharing different points of view is a main theme of the course. . Students will discuss and debate the 1st Amendment and examine current legal case studies affecting students’ rights in this digital age. The course incorporates programs such as Weebly, Adobe Photoshop, Audacity, as well as a video editing software of choice. Students will also explore new media platforms that have the potential to disrupt how we consume and create media, namely through Virtual Reality. Students will maintain a blog for documenting weekly updates and reflecting on their work. Emphasis will be placed on written, audio, visual, and video media.

INNOVATIONS

1 Credit

Innovations is a yearlong technology elective devoted to design thinking and experiential learning. From start to finish, students take the lead in this predominantly project-based, passion-driven course. Students design their project(s), decide how success will be measured, seek outside mentors, and devise how to implement their plans. Innovations combines media technology skills with the meaningful exploration of community and global issues, and entrepreneurialism. Students will gain valuable experience in various forms of multimedia content production, innovative applications and presentational platforms as they explore what it means to be an innovator, leader, and entrepreneur.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

½ Credit

Graphic Design is a one-semester technology course focused on learning the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content within a 2D form. Students will gain the experience in using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign.

TECHNOLOGY & DESIGN THINKING

½ Credit

Students will learn the DEEPdt (Discover, Empathize, Experiment, Produce) design thinking process through collaborative projects dealing with issues students face in Nashville and at FRA. Students will also work with one local non-profit organization to practice the DEEPdt process. Students will spend dedicated time in the Innovations Lab learning to use the 3D printer, laser cutter, to transform their projects from ideas into real world solutions.

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES

1 Credit // Grades 10–12

Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles prepares students to sit for the AP exam and encourages the application of creative processes while developing artifacts