STEAM
Scientists develop questions that they try to answer through the collection and analysis of data.
Technicians use tools and technology to make advancements.
Engineers design, build, and test their constructions.
Mathematicians use logic and intuition to solve problems.
All of these fields are closely related and dependent on each other, and people who work in these fields tend to be logical, analytical, meticulous, and curious. STEM education incorporates aspects of science, technology, engineering, and math into routine instruction with the purpose of cultivating these skills in students.
STEAM integrates the arts into STEM. Besides providing students with a comprehensive education, familiarity with the arts in this context encourages students to be creative as they function within the parameters of STEM. Any scientist, technician, engineer, or mathematician must be able to approach a problem in different ways. Ingenuity does not exist without creativity.
Do you enjoy the opportunity to find your own solution to a problem? Do you enjoy hands-on projects? Are you ready to put your skills to the test as you design, develop, create, test, and redesign? If you are, then get ready for STEAM!
medieval times
CATAPULTS! CASTLES! SERFS! THE BUBONIC PLAGUE! The world was shaped by events that occurred between 476 – 1500 AD. How could you wield a longsword while wearing 100 pounds of armor? How did they construct keeps without steel framework? How would you protect your manor lands from the invading Saxon horde? What was the Black Death, and how did it change the course of history? Take a trip back to the Medieval Period in STEAM: Medieval Times!
mYTHOLOGY
From the dirt below our feet to the stars in the sky, our stories tell us where everything comes from and why everything happens. Myths have existed for as long as humans could speak, and new myths are made every day. We will explore mythologies from cultures around the world as we discover the phenomena that caused their creation. How does the anger of Poseidon relate to earthquakes? How did Huracán attempts to build the world cause its destruction? We will also construct our own myths and create constellations using the Glenfield Planetarium
experimental design
Students will learn the steps of the scientific method through labs that they have independently designed. Students will develop these labs by observing their environment, watching different science demonstrations, or just remembering questions that they have always been curious about. The final activity of the class will have students competing in a mini science fair, where they're able to show off their work that they have completed in the course.
conspiracy theories
This is a project-based class that has students explore the exciting world of conspiracy theories and infamous historical controversies. Through research and building models, students will analyze crucial evidence and investigate major events such as the JFK assassination, the Hindenberg disaster, the moon landing, and many others. This class will ask students to focus their analysis on the evidence used to support these theories, but also take a look at the evidence that is sometimes ignored.
Natural Disasters
Natural Disasters happen all over the world. They're not limited to one specific country or climate. There are many types of natural disasters and the world has seen how devastating and powerful these events can be. Students will complete labs and engineer structures to investigate these deadly events. They will test their structures using variables presented by the chosen disaster.
Human Body Systems
This class investigates how different organ systems work collectively inside of our body. Students will build models and complete labs that help them understand different functions that our body uses to adapt to the world around us. This class includes some very exciting lab activities, and that includes a dissection lab.
Part 1
In this course, students will learn about different types of physical evidence, and understand the different methods used to collect and analyze specific types of evidence. Students will learn about the basics of a criminal investigation, and get a better understanding of the role that forensics takes in our country's justice system.
Part 2
This class will focus on processing a full scene and looking into specific cold cases and other cases that had an influence on the procedures used in present-day forensics. Using a hands-on approach, students have the opportunity to recreate a crime scene, learn how to sketch out scenes, and collect physical evidence from a location.
Design & Modeling
In Design and Modeling, we will be focusing on the steps of taking a new concept or idea and making it a reality. Students are encouraged to use their creativity to solve unique problems. Students will be building and testing their designs for each project. The units cover a range of topics and will offer up interesting scenarios for students to investigate, and each offers a hands-on learning experience. Some project examples from the class are constructing an underground survival bunker, building a waterproof storage device, and even designing the perfect school/classroom.
beat the clock
(Semester Course)
This class will allow students to participate in team building activities that use collaboration and critical thinking to explore solutions to weekly STEAM related challenges.
INVENTIONS
(Semester Course)
Students will have the opportunity to build inventions and thrill rides. Through discovery, students will apply mathematical and engineering concepts to their student-made projects. Problem solving will also include the use of science, technology, and logical thinking.
Science Olympiad / Robotics
(Full Year Course; by tryout only)
Members of the Science Olympiad and Robotics teams will prepare for these competitions in this full year 9th period course. 6th grade students can try for our farm teams, which will meet after school, in early September.