Course Descriptions

BUSINESS/TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING

The Business/Technology/Engineering department’s mission is to provide a diverse group of students with safe, collaborative, empathetic, creative and open thinking environments. We will connect students to their school, local, national and/or global communities through rigorous inquiry based learning that is student driven. We will encourage students to employ resiliency while developing solutions to problems using current academic, technological, communication skills and processes. Students will experience individual and team achievements.


Business, Technology and Engineering course offerings (Full descriptions below):


Business:

Creative Business and Marketing

Intro Economics (Honors and CP)


Technology:

Intro Computer Science

AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science A

HHS-TV I

HHS-TV II


Engineering:

Re-Engineering History

Honors Engineering (Honors)

Honors Sustainable Engineering (Honors)

Lego Robotics

Team Robotics (Honors and CP)

Fab Lab (Co-Art)






Full Descriptions:


Creative Business & Marketing Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9-12 2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None

Students will engage in creative minds on and hands on product development, business and marketing experiences, grounded in 21st century marketing technologies and strategies. Communication, leadership and collaborative skills will be employed to ensure individual and team success. Small teams of students will apply business formation and marketing skills to develop, plan, and market their quality products and/or services. Outside organizations and individuals will mentor students to review their work. Students will leverage fabrication technologies, current social media outlets and mentors to produce and promote quality products and/or services.


Introduction to Economics (CP), (Honors) Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9 -12 2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None


Students will be introduced to the basic principles of economics, with a primary focus on macroeconomics informed by the microeconomics of business and financial literacy. Students will look at issues through the lens of economic thinking, while better understanding the economic issues and challenges in their own lives and in an increasingly global society. Some topics include scarcity, supply and demand, market structures and business organization, money and banking, investments and the stock market, the role of the government in the economy, and economic globalization. No prior knowledge is required, with an open mind you will learn how decision-making is at the core of economics.


Introduction to Computer Science Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9-12 2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None


This half-year course will introduce students to a broad range of topics in the field of computer science, including, but not limited to, hardware, data representation and manipulation, networking, computer programming, webpage and game design. Students will work on projects with minicomputers and microcontrollers such as the Raspberry Pi and Arduino boards to build, program and test their creative ideas. This course is open to all grade levels and does not require any prior computer science experience.



AP Computer Science Principles Two Semester Course

Open to: Grades 10-12 2.5 credits per semester

Prerequisites: 1 recommendation by a Tech/Engineering or Math or Science teacher.

AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the central ideas of computer science, inviting students to develop the computational thinking vital for success across multiple disciplines. The course is unique in its focus on fostering students to be creative and encouraging students to apply creative processes when developing computational artifacts. Students will design and implement innovative solutions using an iterative process similar to what artists, writers, computer scientists, scientists and engineers use to bring ideas to life.


AP Computer Science A Two Semester Course

Open to: Grades 11-12 2.5 credits per semester

Prerequisites: Successful completion of AP Computer Science Principles and teacher recommendation from AP Computer Science Principles


AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science. The course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using the Java language. These techniques represent proven approaches for developing solutions that can scale up from small, simple problems to large, complex problems. The AP Computer Science A course curriculum is compatible with many CS1 courses in colleges and universities.



HHS-TV I Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9-12 2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None

In this class students will develop basic television production skills. Working in teams, students will practice all aspects of video production: conceptualizing, writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. Using professional cameras, equipment and editing tools, students will produce quality work in this semester long course. The main production of this course is the weekly HHS Today news program (produced for the HHS community), and included on the course's website (www.hhs.today) as well as aired on HCAM (Hopkinton’s television channels). Segments produced include: news, drama, sports, comedy, issues, and arts; and will also allow students to translate their creative visions into short videos. Each student will have one homework assignment to film one after school HHS sponsored event: School play, Concert, Sporting event, Other event.



HHS-TV II Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9-12 2.5 credits

Prerequisites: HHS-TV I and Instructor Approval


Building on the skills learned in HHS-TV I, students will deepen their understanding of Television Production in this semester course. This project-based class will conceptualize, script, and produce longer format videos than is done in HHS-TV I. Students will identify needs, create scripts and shot lists, produce, direct, and edit video. Students and the instructor will collaborate throughout to improve the quality of production. Production genres include: information, drama, sports, comedy, issues, and arts; and will allow students to translate their personal creative visions into video. Using professional equipment and editing tools, students will produce work they will be proud to have featured on the HHS-TV website, HCAM (Hopkinton's television channels), and other media outlets.



Re-Engineering History Semester course

Open to: Grades 9-12 2.5 Credits

Prerequisites: None


Take a trip back in time to not only learn about historical engineering projects, but to also touch and experience their ‘failure’ and redesign. Students will be excited to learn about historical engineering projects and then be set forth to improve upon their original designs with kinetic and design activities. Historical works will be based on but not limited to: Civil, Architectural, Nasa / Aeronautical, Mechanical, and Marine. Students will leverage the engineering design process, failure analysis, root-cause analysis, as well as fabrication technologies to successfully change history by improving designs or engineering that failed. Come see how you can rewrite history through engineering.


Honors Engineering Semester course

Open to: Grades 9-12 2.5 Credits

Prerequisites: None


Engineering students will exercise a higher level of thought while employing the engineering design process in collaborative teams. Creativity will flourish through production of various types of fun and competitive projects. The projects will include but are not limited to: Inventive light systems, Toys, “Rube Goldberg” Machines, and projects that benefit outside groups (example: Hopkinton First Responders). Local Engineers serving as mentors will contribute to the course by discussing design options with students.

Honors Sustainable Engineering Semester course

Open to: Grades 9-12 2.5 Credits

Prerequisites: None

Students will develop solutions to real-world global problems using the engineering design process. Students will work in teams to identify root causes of problems, ideate solutions and fabricate functional prototypes. Projects will include but are not limited to: Energy, Health, Safety, Environmental. Students will be encouraged to design solutions that can have an immediate impact in our local community.



Lego Robotics Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9-12 2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None

Robotics students will utilize the engineering design process to design, build and program robots to accomplish competitive tasks similar to robots used throughout the world. Using LEGO MINDSTORMS components, students will learn problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills. Students will program their robots to autonomously complete tasks. The programming language and robotics kits used in this class are designed to allow all skill levels (novice - expert) to learn at an appropriate level.

Team Robotics (Honors), (CP) Two Semester Course

*Honors students required to attend at least 2 ‘out of’ school 8 hour interscholastic competitions

Open to: Grades 9-12 2.5 Credits per semester

Prerequisites: None Course may be repeated

Students will engage in exciting interscholastic robotics competitions (VEX VRC) as part of HHS Hopkinetics Robotics. Students will work in small collaborative teams to design, build and program robots that are focused on the current VEX challenge. Students will acquire and utilize the following skills: Engineering design, Leadership, Project management, CAD, Electronics, Programming, Fabrication, Failure analysis, Field preparation, Presentation and Writing. Once you enroll in this course, you will be hooked and want to spend more time in the shop. The programming language and robotics kits used in this class are designed to allow all skill levels (novice - expert) to learn at an appropriate level. VEX Robotics is recognized globally by educational institutions and industry. VEX scholarships are available. This course may be repeated as each year brings a different VEX robotics challenge.

Fab Lab (3D Design and Fabrication) Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9-12 2.5 Credits

Prerequisites: None

Fab Lab is an interdisciplinary course that will encourage students to learn using an art and engineering design thought process. Students will work through a series of Design and Build Challenges that expand their skills and design thought process. The course covers technologies such as, 3D printers, laser cutters, and computerized cutting systems. Students will also study building techniques like triangulation,post and beam structures and folded materials, to enhance their understanding of how things are built. Examples of some of the challenges are; furniture designs(cardboard chair), 3d printed hinges(moving parts), laser cut 3d projections, patterns to create a 3d volume, and folded 3d paper forms. This culmination of this course will be the design, construction and presentation of a larger final project of the student’s choice. This course will serve those interested in: Art, Architecture, Engineering, Sculpture, 3D Design, Fabrication.


Staffing Notes:


Chris Enos:

  • Fab Lab (Co-Art)


Jim Cozzens:

  • HHS-TV I
  • HHS-TV II


Kirsten Fournier:

  • Intro to Computer Science
  • AP Comp Sci Principles
  • AP Comp Sci A (Java)


Mike Finn

  • Creative Business and Marketing
  • Intro Economics (CP+Hon)
  • Re-Engineering History


Doug Scott:

  • Hon Engineering
  • Hon Sustainable Engineering
  • Lego Robotics
  • Team Robotics (CP+Hon)