SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COURSES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COURSES

Principles of Science 1 (7)

The objective of this course is for students to develop and apply an understanding of the principles of science through lab-based activities and concept exploration. Initially, students learn how to safely use laboratory equipment, collect data while performing laboratory investigations, use technology to organize, illustrate, and analyze data, and effectively communicate results of their experiments. After completing the introductory unit, students study human biology and health with an integrated focus on environmental science through engineering and technology. The course serves as an introduction to the biological sciences and the interactions of organisms with environmental processes. The course culminates in a Challenge Based Learning project that focuses on the design thinking process as a way of solving a real world, community based problem.

Principles of Science 2 (8)

The objective of this course is for students to continue to use the principles of science to investigate earth processes and the interactions of humans with matter and forces in their environment. During the first half of the course, students explore the theory of plate tectonics by examining tectonic processes and analyzing patterns in volcanology, seismology, geography, and geochronology data collected. In the second half of the course, students conduct a variety of experiments dealing with simple and compound machines. This course is designed to serve as an introduction to the earth sciences and to build a foundation for further study in the physical sciences.

7th Grade Robotics and Programming (7)

Can be taken instead of a Performing Arts or Visual and Media Arts course.

This course serves as an introduction to the basics of robotics and programming. The first two-thirds of the course is an introduction to designing and building a LEGO EV3 robot and coding using the Mindstorms block based software. Programming techniques such as loops, functions, and conditional statements are covered. The last part of the course is a short introduction to JavaScript and/or HTML/CSS programming.

Foundations of Making and Design (7) (Eighth Period)

Over the course of the year, Foundations of Making and Design (FOMAD) students will learn how to safely use an array of tools and technologies through teacher-guided demonstrations, tutorials, and self guided projects, documenting their process along the way. The class dives deeply into the design process: idea inception, planning, and execution.

Creativity and curiosity is encouraged! What to expect: Students will be challenged to move outside their comfort zones by working with new tools and software. They will learn to document their process and turn their ideas into artifacts that they can take home and share with others.

Middle School Engineering (8) (Eighth Period)

In Middle School Engineering Work, we will be constructing unique mechanisms in order to maximize solutions to both common and ridiculous problems in a competitive and fun atmosphere. This engineering course will focus on the design process by means of thorough documentation of design and testing of prototypes. We will learn the history and implementation of engineering strategies seen in today’s world and use those strategies to augment our own building. We will build things, break things, and build them better still, but most of all, we will have fun through engineering both in teams and as individuals.

Physics (9)

As a foundational survey course in Physics and an introduction to science in the upper school, this course gives students the tools to begin to understand the science of the physical world in which they live. Many of the concepts encountered come from the students’ own everyday experiences; Motion, forces, momentum, energy, electricity, magnetism, and waves are typically studied. Inquiry based laboratory investigations are used extensively to introduce or delve more deeply into concepts and to develop lab-based skills such as data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Laboratory, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills introduced here are developed further in future science courses.

8th Grade Robotics and Programming (8)

Can be taken instead of a Performing Arts or Visual and Media Arts course.

Eighth Grade Robotics is a mathematics, science, and technology-integrated course that imparts foundational knowledge to engineering, design, and robotics.

Throughout the year, students create and use engineering notebooks, learn the engineering design process, and hone sketching and dimensioning skills to build VEX robots and program the robots using arduino and C++.

Robotics Competition

An additional opportunity will be available for both 7th and 8th grade students wishing to participate in a competitive robotics experience with the VEX platform. Teams will meet after school approximately 2 days per week and occasional Saturdays during the Fall and Winter. Enrollment in a Robotics elective is welcomed but not required.