SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COURSES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COURSES

Food Science (10-12) (Eighth Period)

How Baking Works: The Math and Science of Dessert (Fall)

Although the process of baking might seem mysterious, there are important scientific and mathematical principles that underlie the sweet treats that come out of the oven. With the right ingredients, techniques, and heat at your fingertips, you can make an infinite number of different baked goods. This course will explore the math and science behind the decisions a baker makes from beginning to end. Some of the questions we will explore include: Why baking soda versus baking powder, or even sometimes both? What happens as bread is kneaded, and is kneading always necessary? Why does chocolate need to be heated and cooled so precisely in order for it to set with a sheen and snap? From writing and analyzing recipes expressed in baker’s percentages to identifying the physical and chemical changes taking place in the oven, students will do hands-on work in the kitchen to discover how baking works.

Plant Sciences: (Spring)

This course focuses on exploring various methods of growing plants, from creating a well balanced soil medium to providing the optimum conditions for growth in both traditional soil and hydroponic plants. Students create a hydroponic setup to grow plants without soil and spend time designing and planting an outside garden. The course will also explore the science of botany including structure and function and plant evolution. This course is largely project based and will include time spent outside! Prior experience is not necessary, only a commitment to learn and do!

Introduction to Programming

(9-12) (Eighth Period)

This course offers students a broad understanding of procedural and object-oriented computer programming geared toward a foundation for AP Computer Science

A. Students learn to write and execute programs and gain an understanding of fundamentals such as keywords, data types, strings, variables, and arithmetic operators. The focus of the course is on fundamental principles of problem-solving and basic concepts of programming. Students learn various control structures and how to use them, including boolean operators, truth tables, and design tools expressing such as flowcharts. This course is project oriented and designed to be a rewarding and fun learning experience for students who have no prior experience and for students with some previous programming experience. Students will use Javascript, HTML, and CSS to design programs and websites.

Making and Engineering Design

(9-12) (Eighth Period)

In this course, students learn how to use a variety of tools and technologies in order to design, prototype, and develop their own creations. Through a diverse series of projects, ranging from whimsical to practical, students develop fluency in current technologies, grow as empathetic creators and collaborators, and become a part of the world-wide Making community. The course begins with several weeks dedicated to skill-building units followed by collaborative project-based units, culminating in an independent theme-based project.

Mechatronics (9-12) (Eighth Period)

Mechatronics integrates principles from four engineering disciplines: electrical, mechanical, computer, and industrial. Thus, mechatronics students should learn about robots, machines, electronics, pneumatics, electrical motor controls, sensors, computer-aided design (CAD), programming, diagnostics, computer numeric control (CNC), and other topics that together form the basis of “smart” devices used in robotics and advanced automated systems. In this course, we will develop facility with programming, motors, sensors, electronics and CAD while implementing a collaborative and systems integration mindset. The context for this learning will be the VEX and FRC Robotics Platforms.