OTHER ELECTIVES
**Please Note- Not all courses listed below are available at all middle school campuses.
Career & College Exploration
This 1-year course is designed to guide students through the process of investigating and developing a career and college readiness plan. Students use aptitude and interest inventory assessments, software, or other tools available to explore career and college areas of personal interest. Students use this information to explore a variety of career paths, especially those in demand, and begin mapping their anticipated secondary coursework and potential postsecondary experiences that are in alignment with their goals.
Gaming+animation & ROBOTICS
Gaming+Animation - 1 semester
Gaming+Animation is an 18 week course is designed to foster student creativity and innovation by presenting students with opportunities to design, implement, and present meaningful programs through a variety of media. Students will collaborate with one another to explore the process of creating games and animations. Students will explore topics such as game structures, graphic and design elements, animation design and programming languages such as Java.
Robotics - 1 semester
Robotics is an 18 week course is designed to introduce students to robotics software and hardware as a means of designing functional robots. Students will build prototypes or use simulation software to test their designs. Through hands-on investigations, students will use problem solving and critical thinking skills as they collaborate to program robots to solve problems.
Introduction to Robotic Engineering
Introduction to Robotic Engineering provides an overview of the various fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and their interrelationships. Students will develop engineering communication skills, which include computer graphics, modeling, and presentations, by using a variety of computer hardware and software applications to complete assignments and projects. Upon completing this course, students will have an understanding of the various fields of engineering and will be able to make informed career decisions. Further, students will have worked on a design team to develop a product or system. Students will use multiple software applications to prepare and present course assignments. This course receives one (1) high school elective credit.
High School Credit Courses: School districts are required to provide each student, at the time the student first registers for one or more classes required for high school graduation, with a written notification of the substance of the Uniform Admission Policy. Click here to read the content of the Uniform Admission Policy for Automatic Admission from TEA. https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/file/Explanation%20of%20Automatic%20College%20Admission%20Fig.%2061.1201a1.pdf
Principles of Arts, audio/video technology, and communications
This introductory course will cover different elements in the field of Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications. Careers in the Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Career Cluster require a creative aptitude, a strong background in computer and technology applications, a strong academic foundation, and a proficiency in oral and written communication. Within this context, students will be expected to develop an understanding of the various and multifaceted career opportunities in this cluster and the knowledge, skills, and educational requirements for those opportunities. This course receives one (1) high school elective credit.
Recommended: Gaming and Animation
High School Credit Courses: School districts are required to provide each student, at the time the student first registers for one or more classes required for high school graduation, with a written notification of the substance of the Uniform Admission Policy. Click here to read the content of the Uniform Admission Policy for Automatic Admission from TEA. https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/file/Explanation%20of%20Automatic%20College%20Admission%20Fig.%2061.1201a1.pdf
Introduction to culinary arts
This 1-year course will emphasize the principles of planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling the management of a variety of food service operations. The course will provide insight into the operation of a well-run restaurant. Introduction to Culinary Arts will provide insight into food production skills, various levels of industry management, and hospitality skills. This is an entry level course for students interested in pursuing a career in the food service industry. This course is offered as a classroom and laboratory-based course. This course receives one (1) high school elective credit.
High School Credit Courses: School districts are required to provide each student, at the time the student first registers for one or more classes required for high school graduation, with a written notification of the substance of the Uniform Admission Policy. Click here to read the content of the Uniform Admission Policy for Automatic Admission from TEA. https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/file/Explanation%20of%20Automatic%20College%20Admission%20Fig.%2061.1201a1.pdf
Principles of Human Services
Students will participate collaboratively in learning activities to acquire knowledge and skills in effective communication, goal setting, healthy living, child development, family, community, and personal care services. Students will use various forms of technology to produce individual and group projects and presentations. This course receives one (1) high school elective credit.
High School Credit Courses: School districts are required to provide each student, at the time the student first registers for one or more classes required for high school graduation, with a written notification of the substance of the Uniform Admission Policy. Click here to read the content of the Uniform Admission Policy for Automatic Admission from TEA. https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/file/Explanation%20of%20Automatic%20College%20Admission%20Fig.%2061.1201a1.pdf
Tech Apps 1
This 1-year course is designed to bring students to a basic level of proficiency in applying computer technology in the academic setting. Emphasis will be placed on file management and appropriate technology use in an educational environment. Students will be introduced to fundamental computer concepts, word-processing, multimedia presentations, Internet applications and spreadsheets through a variety of platforms including Google, Apple and Microsoft. Special attention will be devoted to legal issues, copyright law, and safety. Application of technology for academic use and collaboration will be the focus.
Tech Apps 2
This 1-year course is designed to introduce students to a variety of technology concepts including multimedia creation, basic programming, and website design/animation with a focus on the legal and ethical impact of publishing works. Students will use a variety of technology tools to create original works. Recommended: Technology Applications I
Skills for Living
6th grade: This course is designed to help students develop essential life skills. Topics of study include nutrition and cooking, organizational skills, goal setting, friends and peer pressure, communication, family, managing finances, and basic sewing. Students will also have opportunities to practice leadership skills, problem solving, and collaboration skills.
7th and 8th grade: This course is designed to help students explore and practice different life skills. In the process, students will have the chance to participate in food labs, sewing labs, design businesses, build a resume and a variety of other activities that will help students identify a career pathway that interests them.
Outdoor Trails
Students are offered education in the areas of hunting, fishing, hiking, nature recognition, archery and cooking. The students will feel safe and positive about their learning environment and demonstrate appropriate life skills that have exemplified proper mentoring in these fields of study. Students may only take this course once during middle school.
AVID
AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Success. It is an elective course designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to pursue the college of your dreams. AVID students are expected to be motivated and determined to achieve university acceptance at the end of their high school career. AVID motivates students and provides the skills and confidence to reach their goals. *Requires application and interview.
Leadworthy
Leadworthy The Course is designed to develop personal responsibility, leadership, and professional skills through explicit social-emotional participatory learning experiences. The course provides students the opportunity to develop an awareness of personal image, a healthy self-concept, and healthy relationships. Students learn the concepts of consequential thinking and principle-based decision making. Students examine their awareness of social media, the effects of peer pressure and bullying, along with effective strategies to counteract those effects. This course will provide students opportunities to improve their public speaking and communication skills and their personal vision, mission statement, and goals. They will develop an understanding of what it means to be an effective member of the community through community service.
Gateway to STEM 1
LISD Middle School STEM Academies will offer Project Lead the Way’s “Gateway to STEM” courses. These electives are designed so that students are empowered to make their own discoveries through engagement, excitement, and collaboration.
Science of Technology - 1 semester
Science impacts the technology of yesterday, today, and the future. In this unit, students apply the concepts of physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology to activities and projects, including making ice cream, cleaning up an oil spill, and discovering the properties of nano-materials.
Design and Modeling - 1 semester
Students discover the design process, and develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They are then challenged and empowered to use and apply what they’ve learned throughout the unit to design a therapeutic toy for a child who has cerebral palsy.
Gateway to STEM 2
Medical Detectives - 1 semester
Students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they collect and analyze medical data to diagnose disease. They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, examine nervous system structure and function, investigate disease outbreaks, and explore how a breakdown within the human body can lead to dysfunction.
Automation and Robotics - 1 semester
Students learn about the history and impact of automation and robotics as they explore mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Using the VEX Robotics® platform, students apply what they know to design and program traffic lights, robotic arms, and more.
Gateway to STEM 3
STEM: Expedition Unknown - 1 semester
During fall semester, students will embark on a journey through the world of STEM pathways by completing real-world design challenges. Students will use critical and creative thinking skills to create innovative solutions in the fields of Health Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, and Manufacturing. The challenges include designing a mechanical replacement for a human organ, developing mobile apps, designing a self-sustaining power system, and creating original products for use in industry. Through these hands-on collaborative projects, students will evaluate their unique strengths and interests while investigating a variety of STEM fields.
Exploration Aviation - 1 semester
During spring semester, students will be challenged to complete several STEM design challenges using the engineering design process. The challenges include utilizing a small drone to inspect difficult-to-reach areas, creating drone security solutions for a variety of clients, and using drones to simulate search and rescue operations. Students will also explore related career connections and practice soft skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving.