· Web viewStudents will explore the history of modern medicine by investigating how pirates, privateers, and other adventurers learned how to remain healthy while exploring the

Gifted and Talented Program Fall 2016 Onsite and Online ProgramsMontclair State University

MSU G&T ProgramFall 2016 Onsite and Online Course Descriptions

p.1-4 Grades K-1 p.4-7 Grades 2-3p.7-8 Grades 4-8 Online Coursesp. 8-12 Grades 4-5 p. 12-16 Grades 6-12 (NOTE: Gr.6-8 students will not be in courses where they are outnumbered by Gr.9-12 students)p. 16-17 Grades 7-12 AP Online Courses

Grades K-1

Archeology: Digging History Decisions, decisions! Which site holds promise for finding artifacts? Where do you begin excavating on the site? What will documents yield? What mysteries and histories will be uncovered by your trowel (and other cool tools)? In this course, we’ll be conducting interactive archeological digs.

Bubbleology CLOSEDBLOW! FLOAT! POP! Here is your chance to become an expert on bubbles! Experiment with adhesion, cohesion, and surface tension. You will also learn about the many other unique properties of water and soap. Use your problem solving skills to test bubble solutions that will help you create the largest bubble and the longest lasting bubble. Put math and science to work as you measure bubbles, build geodesic domes, learn logic, and strengthen math problem solving strategies all while having a blast!

Digital Photography CLOSED“Smile!” This course will explore the techniques necessary to successfully take professional-quality photographs. Students will work collaboratively and individually to design, shoot, modify, and critique photographs of a variety of subjects in different settings. Digital cameras will be provided however, students are encouraged to bring their own digital cameras and accessories.

Engineering Design, Invention & Innovation CLOSEDYour work matters! We challenge you to identify a real-life problem in your world, and then engineer real change! You will identify problems, brainstorm possible solutions, and use the engineering design process to plan, create, and improve your invention, and then present it to potential investors.

Junior Vets: Pet Care and First Aid Do you love animals? Are you thinking about becoming a veterinarian? Students will explore the characteristics and behaviors of dogs, cats, and other pets. They will learn about and practice giving emergency first aid as well as preventative


care: how to identify and prevent food poisoning, and many other techniques used by animal health professionals. Students may be exposed to a trained, gentle dog or cat as part of the course activities. Students who are allergic to or are afraid of dogs and cats (and other popular pets) are discouraged from enrolling in this course.

Marketing your Favorite Toy CLOSEDToy marketing is serious business! Learn how to develop a marketing plan for your favorite toy. Apply business and mathematics skills to predict and track your favorite toy's sales. Develop a marketing strategy and advertising budget to maximize your toy's brand recognition and assist your classmates with their marketing plans. Collaborate to develop a new toy and its marketing plan.

Pirate Doctors Garrr, Matey! Prepare for a high seas medical adventure! Students will explore the history of modern medicine by investigating how pirates, privateers, and other adventurers learned how to remain healthy while exploring the world. Class activities will focus on introducing students to medicine and history while applying creativity, communication, collaboration, and observation skills. Students will be challenged to design their own pirate ship health plan.

Potions In Motion Become a Potions Master! This introductory chemistry and physics course is designed to challenge students to create and investigate chemical reactions that help our society to function. Class activities will focus on introducing students to chemical reactions while applying creativity, communication, collaboration, and observation skills.

Programming Your Story: ScratchJr Calling all digital storytellers! This introductory programming and creative writing course is designed to challenge students to create stories using the ScratchJr app. Students will explore the elements of storymaking while also learning programming logic.

Robots as Problem Solvers (RaPs): Ozobots Save the world with robots! This introductory engineering applications course is designed to challenge students to create and complete tasks using Ozobots. Ozobots operate by interpreting the color that is underneath them into a command. Students will collaborate to learn programming logic by creating color patterns that successfully tell their Ozobot to navigate a maze or complete an obstacle course.

Rube Goldberg MachinesUse the Engineering Design Process and basic physics to plan and construct a complex contraption designed to achieve a simple task. Simple and compound machines are used to make tasks easier. However, Rube Goldberg took a


simple, easy task and made it way more complex. Work in a team to design, build, and problem-solve a more complex simple machine. How far can you go?

Second Time Around: Upcycling and Recycling CLOSEDWhen you’ve used something once, can you use it again - in a different way? What can you do with an old shoe that you have outgrown but also has holes in the sole? A pair of worn denim jeans? Can you make an old plastic gatorade bottle into something much better and more useful? This course will allow students to explore innovative ways to reuse and repurpose various everyday items - and will allow you to design your very own unique re-purposed item!

Sustainable City Design Green architecture meets urban planning! Discover the latest methods for developing and maintaining a sustainable city. Investigate and choose the most sustainable features for your city from renewable energy to vertical farming. Students will be challenged to design and model their own sustainable city, review and critique each other’s creations to develop a class-wide model, and- as time allows- modify the design of existing cities.

Things That Go!Let's GO! This class will be engaged in hands-on science experiments to make things go! Students will work collaboratively and individually to create a variety of vehicles that use different methods to move. Students will apply and expand upon their understanding of physics, math, and chemistry to discover what makes things go the fastest and the farthest.

Watercolor Works In this course, we will explore painting with watercolor. You’ll practice basic wet and dry techniques, washes, and blends. You’ll also begin to acquire skill in composition and color development. Come ready to roll up your sleeves and put on your smocks!

World Explorers: Civilizations CLOSED Do children around the world have to go to school? Do you know how other children your age spend their time? Using virtual means, we are going to travel across the continents to see how children your age (and adults) live, learn, work, and play. What continent and country would you like to explore?

WOW: Publish Me CLOSED In this class you will publish your very own short story! First, you will analyze the techniques of various authors of short stories. Each week will be dedicated to crafting and honing each element of your short story, creating a vivid and detailed work complete with illustrations. With the help of your peers, you will revise and edit your story to create a final masterpiece. An Authors Gala will be held as part of the MSU G&T Program Exhibition/Celebration of Scholars' Work where stories will be read and all of your hard work will be celebrated.


Write, Create, ActBe prepared to bring your pens, creative minds, and public speaking abilities to Write, Create, Think, and Act! We will use our writing skills to rewrite famous stories. After that we will design unique costumes for the characters we create. Finally, we will act out our new stories. Take this course if you want to use your imagination and creativity.

Grades 2-3

Aquatic Explorers CLOSED Calling all explorers! Embark on a virtual tour of aquatic environments. Discover some of the coolest, strangest creatures on Earth. Make connections among pre-historic creatures and those we know to exist, today. Work collaboratively and individually to explore local geography, water conditions and currents, and the food web for the world's fresh and salt water zones. Could the Loch Ness Monster, Moby Dick, or the shark from Jaws really exist in today's oceans? Discover new underwater horizons as part of the Aquatic Explorer's Club!

Archeology: Recovering Artifacts CLOSEDHow do you determine where to look for artifacts? What tools do you use to begin excavating a site? Learn about the ins and outs of the process of recovering artifacts from archeological digs, and which. Learn the skills necessary to safely recover historic artifacts and preserve them for further study.

Blood and Bones How does the heart work? How and why does the main skull bone change over time? Explore the human circulatory and musculoskeletal systems with hands-on activities, games, and demonstrations. Class videos, photos, and demonstrations will likely include examples of mammalian body parts. This course prepares students who are interested in learning about biomedicine, including anatomy and physiology.

Chess and Strategy Games Do you daydream about planning things like epic battles or ginormous cities? Develop your critical thinking skills by learning how to plan and apply strategies for winning chess and other strategy games. Collaborate with your classmates to play group games and mentor each other to advance your individual skills. This course is designed for players with a wide range of experience.

Coral Reef Crochet CLOSEDImagine an entire coral reef designed by hand, composed of intricate needlework designs! Learn how to crochet and how to navigate the creative design process, as well as applications for natural science, math, and engineering. Explore the crochet coral reef project developed by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the


Institute for Figuring. What else can you design with the tools and skills required to crochet?

Creative Writing: Myths and Fairy Tales This course, like all of our WOW! Series courses, is structured as a workshop and offers an opportunity to study myths and fairytales. We will study myths and fairytales from around the world and help you understand the techniques and the art of writing myths and fairy tales. You will gain greater skill, insight, and enjoyment as readers, thinkers, critics, writers, and publishers of your own (original!) myth or fairytale.

Graphic Design TechniquesWhat is the process for designing a new cereal box or movie poster? Discover how graphics for print media are created using the design process and learn about various graphic design techniques. Work collaboratively and individually to create graphics using computer software.

Knights, Dragons and Castles CLOSEDFrom the high sea adventures of the Vikings, to the forest of Sherwood, on to the battlefields of Europe with Richard the Lionheart, to the mythical Round Table of King Arthur, the Middle Ages provide us with the most interesting and fascinating people, places, legends, and events in history. In this course you will design castles to protect your kingdom, devise strategies to defeat dragons, and learn what medieval people ate, wore, and believed. Incredible stories of mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure will come to life.

Painting Techniques CLOSEDPainting can be rewarding, challenging, and fun! Join your fellow aspiring artists in learning painting techniques and forms of painting. Explore the history of art through the evolution of painting techniques. As an artist, you will learn how to express your ideas through a powerful, visual language.

Poise & Public Speaking Everyone has the potential to speak effectively, evolve their own personal style, and develop poise and confidence when communicating with an audience. In American schools, in-class presentations are becoming increasingly central to academic success. This class provides fun and easy exercises to help you discover your “power voice” within and how the correct use of that voice can help make you an effective speaker in front of an audience.

Robots as Problem Solvers: OzobotsSave the world with robots! This introductory engineering applications course is designed to challenge students to create and complete tasks using Ozobots. Ozobots operate by interpreting the color that is underneath them into a command. Students will collaborate to learn programming logic by creating color


patterns that successfully tell their Ozobot to navigate a maze or complete an obstacle course.

Rube Goldberg MachinesUse the Engineering Design Process and basic physics to plan and construct a complex contraption designed to achieve a simple task. Simple and compound machines are used to make tasks easier. However, Rube Goldberg took a simple, easy task and made it way more complex. Work in a team to design, build, and problem-solve a super-complex simple machine. How far can you go?

Scratch Programming Coding has quickly become the newest "must-have" language for future professionals. Scratch is a programming language developed by researchers at MIT and designed to help children learn to program. Students will work collaboratively and individually to create interactive stories, animations, games, and/or music - all while learning the fundamentals of computer programming.

Shark Tank: Marketing your Product CLOSEDYou are the entrepreneur! Find a problem that you want to solve, or a want or need that you think should be served. Create your product or outline your service. Then develop a marketing plan for it and present it to a real panel of business experts. Learn the 4 P’s of marketing and how to pitch your product too.

Superhero Science CLOSEDHave you ever dreamed of swinging on a web like Spiderman, having the strength of the Hulk, inventing the gadgets that James Bond or Batman use in their fight against evil, or having superpowers like the Xmen or Iron Man? There are villains everywhere and now, more than ever, we need super heroes/ heroines! What would your superpower be? For what would you use your superpower(s)? What would be your identity/brand? Would you keep your identity a secret? Learn the science behind the powers of your favorite superheroes and create a superhero of your own!

Sustainable City Design Green architecture meets urban planning! Discover the latest methods for developing and maintaining a sustainable city. Investigate and choose the most sustainable features for your city from renewable energy to vertical farming. Students will be challenged to design and model their own sustainable city, review and critique each other’s creations to develop a class-wide model, and modify the design of existing cities.

Theater Games CLOSEDHow is a stage transformed to tell a story? How do actors and actresses become their characters on stage? In these fun and engaging games students will learn more about staging tricks and the art of acting. Students will design and construct their own prop or mask to use in theatrical shows.


Things That Go 2 CLOSEDLet's GO! This class will be engaged in hands-on science experiments to make things go! Students will work collaboratively and individually to create a variety of vehicles that use different methods to move. Students will apply and expand upon their understanding of physics, math, and chemistry to discover what makes things go the fastest and the farthest.

Witches and Wizards of Chemistry Ever wonder how we can make common household items behave a certain way? Is it magic? No, more likely it is chemistry! Become a chemistry witch or wizard by learning how chemicals react to make food tasty, make glue sticky, or put the stretch in your favorite stretchy clothes. Students will be challenged by group and individual projects, labs, and activities that may require students to bring in a few common items for testing, such as a glue stick or a stretchy shirt. This course prepares students who are interested in learning about molecular chemistry.

Grades 4-8 Online Courses

The Architectural ExperienceThis conceptual architecture course will focus on introducing students to architectural patterns and techniques through activities, photos, and videos. Students may need to use common household items such as rulers, straws, and cardboard to complete their own architectural models. Successful students are those who enjoy finding patterns in data, who are observant and inquisitive, who are not afraid to actively contribute to scholarly discussions among peers, who have a strong command of written and verbal English, and who possess a sustained motivation to complete tasks on time. This course includes one hour of online discussion per week over the course of the nine-week session, so students will need Internet access to communicate via the Canvas learning management system.

CommoditiesWhat will the price of gasoline be in two weeks from today? Students will learn how to spotlight price action in commodity and stock markets by learning how to recognize, analyze, and predict price trends using charts and graphs. Students will explore the connections among international political events, local weather patterns, and the price patterns for products such as crude oil. Successful students are those who enjoy finding patterns in data, who are observant and inquisitive, who are not afraid to actively contribute to scholarly discussions among peers, who have strong command of written and verbal English, and who possess a sustained motivation to complete tasks on time. This course includes one hour of online discussion per week over the course of the nine-week


session, so students will need Internet access to communicate via the Canvas learning management system.

Neuroscience How does the human brain function? This biomedicine course will explore the anatomical components and the physiological functions of the human nervous system with a focus on the brain. Learning modules include photos and videos of dissected mammalian brains. Successful students are those who enjoy finding patterns in data, who are observant and inquisitive, who are not afraid to actively contribute to scholarly discussions among peers, who have a strong command of written and verbal English, and who possess a sustained motivation to complete tasks on time. This course includes one hour of online discussion per week over the course of the nine-week session, so students will need Internet access to communicate via the Canvas learning management system.

Sustainability: WaterWater, water, everywhere, is there a drop to drink? This environmental science course will focus on the development of sustainable human water consumption. Students will explore the connections among water resources, water consumption, and water economics. Successful students are those who enjoy finding patterns in data, who are observant and inquisitive, who are not afraid to actively contribute to scholarly discussions among peers, who have a strong command of written and verbal English, and who possess a sustained motivation to complete tasks on time. This course includes one hour of online discussion per week over the course of the nine-week session, so students will need Internet access to communicate via the Canvas learning management system.

Grades 4-5

3D Printing DesignThree-dimensional designs are revolutionizing how we solve problems. Work collaboratively and individually to develop an understanding of how form and design affects the function of 3-D printed objects. Challenge yourself and your classmates to design a solution for a current problem affecting society.

Advanced Painting TechniquesAre you a Pollock or a Picasso? Whatever your style, find your inner artist through this extension of Painting Techniques. Explore the history of art through the evolution of painting techniques. Guidance will be provided by an experienced artist. Students will complete painted works modeled after the style(s) of their choice.

Anatomy & Physiology


Do you wonder how our organs work? Have you ever wanted to see a real, mammalian brain? Join us as we work collaboratively to investigate the organs and systems of the human body and what happens to us when things go wrong. You will learn all about bones, muscles and many other interesting anatomical features of the body. Note this course includes the dissection of mammalian organs.

Archeology: Cultures CLOSEDSo many amazing historic artifacts have been discovered in recent time, some of these called wonders of the world. But who created these masterpieces? What were their lives like? In this course you will go on a cultural journey to learn more about ancient cultures and the relics that they left behind.

Chemistry of BeautyDo you wonder what it really is that you put on your face, your skin, in your hair, and on your nails? Explore the chemistry within the products you use every day and be ready to interpret the different organic chemical ingredients used in these products, including water and pH stabilizers. We will also explore the history of beauty and the increased use of chemicals that has enabled the transformation of the cosmetic industry. Why did Cleopatra bathe in milk? How do the components of milk interact with the skin? After examining the biological breakdown of their skin, students will begin to get their hands dirty and experiment in creating their own products.

Chemistry of Food CLOSEDDo you see your kitchen as your lab? Work collaboratively and individually to explore the chemical reactions necessary for us to cook, eat, and enjoy our food. Discover what occurs at the molecular level when dough expands or a sauce thickens.

Chess and Strategy GamesDo you daydream about planning things like epic battles or ginormous cities? Develop your critical thinking skills by learning how to plan and apply strategies for winning chess and other strategy games. Collaborate with your classmates to play group games and mentor each other to advance your individual skills. This course is designed for players with a wide range of experience.

Creative Writing: Fiction CLOSEDSome of the greatest authors of the world may have started their writing careers in a creative writing class. Students will be inspired to write through exposure to various genres, including fantasy and poetry. Emphasis is placed on strategies for creative idea development.

CSI ForensicsWe're crime scene investigators, please don't touch anything! How do we scientifically determine who has committed a crime? You will work collaboratively


and individually to understand and apply methods of forensic science such as fingerprint and blood spatter analysis.

Einstein’s AstrophysicsDo you ask lots of questions about what we see when we look up at the night sky? Embark on an intergalactic exploration from how stars and galaxies function to the theory of relativity. Work collaboratively and individually to explore strange objects and analyze different types of processes. Discover how we have developed ways to observe the universe from telescopes to the Large Hadron Collider.

G & T Debate TeamProve you have what it takes to craft and deliver polished responses as part of the Gifted & Talented Debate Team! Verbal communication mastery is a highly valued skill. Work collaboratively and individually to practice your written and verbal communication skills. From doctors and lawyers to parents and politicians, your debating skills will serve you well.

Graphic Design: Photos and WebWhat is the process for designing photos and graphics for display on a variety of devices? Discover how graphics for screen displays are created using the design process. Work collaboratively and individually to create vector- and raster-based graphics using Adobe Creative Suite.

Java With Greenfoot CLOSEDGreenfoot is a software tool designed to teach beginners object-oriented programming using Java. Students will work collaboratively and individually to create their own animations, games, tools, and other projects in a fun and interactive environment. The integration between Greenfoot and Java is ideal for students to see immediately how Java code is translated into an end product on the screen. Students will gain insight into the mind of a computer programmer as well as a basis for further education in software development.

Let’s Play the Stock Market What will the share prices of Google, Tesla, Apple, or S&P 500 Index be in one month from today? Students will work collaboratively and individually to explore how to create a dynamic portfolio consisting of income/growth balance using single stocks and exchange traded funds. The class will be taught with an emphasis on how to approach the market by identifying fundamental influences, evaluating research that is both top-down and bottom-up in nature, and analyzing technical data to understand economic, sector, and operational factors that affect a stock's performance. Students will be expected to fully participate in group discussions, and to present analysis in both oral and written forms.

Marine Biology


How does the ocean support life? What does the Atlanta Aquarium need to know to properly keep whale sharks? Embark on a virtual tour of aquatic creatures great and small. Work collaboratively and individually to explore and understand how the marine environment functions. This course will likely include a field trip to Sandy Hook, weather permitting, that will require each student to have a chaperone and transportation.

Physics of Textiles CLOSEDA perfect mix of fashion and physics together! Explore the different characteristics of textiles which have transformed the daily use of fibers throughout history. Find out what allows certain types of cloth fibers to be aerodynamic or wick away moisture, while also considering physical attributes and aesthetics. For a final project, students will be able to design a new form of textile for a purpose, such as an aerodynamic structure or water filtration device. Students will plan out their design in three dimensions. Advanced students may use 3D printing software as time allows.

Robots as Problem Solvers: Vex RoboticsSave the world with robots! This engineering applications course is designed to challenge students to choose a real-world problem to solve and use robots as the focus of the solution. Investigate the problem, then design, model, and build the solution using computer design software and available parts. Students will present their solutions, critique each other’s projects, and use the feedback to improve their solutions. Students will be encouraged to create solutions that also accomplish goals in other courses.

Structural EngineeringWhy are buildings one shape and not another? Why don’t bridges fall down? What forces are in play? Gain an understanding of the engineering and architectural concepts that surround us. Explore different types of structures, design considerations, and loads and forces. Students will work collaboratively and individually to take what they know from the world around them, expand upon their understanding, and then apply those concepts to the real world.

Theater: Staging and Design CLOSEDFrom blank canvas to a vision of perfection, this course will introduce you to the techniques that theater masters use to transform a stage into a convincing setting for their production. Study the various techniques used in set design and be a part of designing the set of a production of your own.

Treehouse Architecture Have you ever dreamed of living in a treehouse - or even designing one of your own? During this course you will explore many amazing treehouses around the world. Learn the basics of architectural design, then work in the natural environment to engage in the design of your own private "retreat" in the trees.


Voyage through the Ages CLOSEDIf you think history is boring, think again! This newly renovated course will investigate the most fascinating and thought-provoking events of all time. We will explore the fall of Rome, the rise and impact of the Viking invasion, the social implications of the Crusades, the Tudors, and the War of the Roses. We will take a look at the Founding Fathers, the incredible Revolutionary War, the impact of the death of Lincoln and JFK, the life of King Arthur and the pursuit of the infamous Holy Grail. Through extensive use of film, literature, historical research, folklore, and the professor’s collection of historical artifacts, incredible stories of mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure will come to life. Join us for an unforgettable journey through history.

Zombie Science CLOSEDThe myth of the Zombie is deep within our history. In this class we will examine the mythos of the Zombie through Epidemiology. What makes someone a Zombie? Some diseases can give people a zombie like appearance. In this class you will explore issues of outbreak containment, diseases that manifest in how we view zombies today, and epidemiology. This science class will take you through understanding various disease states. You will be challenged to work on hands-on experiments that show how populations shift and change through viral or bacterial influence. [Please note - images of zombies may be presented.]

Grades 6-12

3D Printing DesignThree-dimensional designs are revolutionizing how we solve problems. Work collaboratively and individually to develop an understanding of how objects and structures are designed in three dimensions. Challenge yourself and your classmates to invent solutions for current problems affecting society.

Advanced Business Strategies Make strategic analysis skills your business! In this course, you'll learn the statistical analysis tools to analyze operational business strategies across time (competitive dynamics), industries (corporate strategy), geographies (international strategy), and institutions (non-market strategy). Students will analyze the success and failure of large companies by exploring how advanced economic ideas were applied to inform critical decisions. Groups and individuals will be challenged to design or improve their own business including the presentation and peer critique of their strategic management and marketing plans.

Anatomy and Physiology Do you wonder how our organs work? Have you ever wanted to see a real, mammalian brain? Join us as we work collaboratively to investigate the organs and systems of the human body and what happens to us when things go wrong.


You will learn all about bones, muscles and many other interesting anatomical features of the body. Note this course includes the dissection of mammalian organs.

Biomimetics: Engineering in Nature CLOSEDHumans have looked at nature for answers to problems throughout our existence. Biomimetics is the study of engineering in nature. Nature has found ways to solve problems such as self-healing, environmental tolerance and resistance, as well as harnessing solar energy. We will be investigating and analyzing how systems in nature have been adapted to solving issues and problems in medicine, technology to make everyday life easier. You will plan for and design a prototype biomimetic device.

Chess and Strategy GamesDo you daydream about planning things like epic battles or ginormous cities? Develop your critical thinking skills by learning how to plan and apply strategies for winning chess and other strategy games. Collaborate with your classmates to play group games and mentor each other to advance your individual skills. This course is designed for players with a wide range of experience.

Communication as a Professional CLOSEDHow do I tell a patient that they have a serious disease? Should I call or email my emotionally distraught client who has just hired me as her lawyer? Is that photo from the company barbeque safe to post on social media? We all need to communicate on a professional level as adults. This course will investigate the verbal and non-verbal social cues and etiquette expected with professional communication. Students will work collaboratively to explore how to communicate in a wide variety of professions and situations through use of role play, peer review, self-reflections, and critical analysis.

Creative Writing: Mysteries & Science Fiction This course, like all of our WOW! Series courses, is structured as a workshop and offers an opportunity to study mysteries and science fiction. We will compare and contrast various authors’ use of writing techniques to help you understand how to write a mystery or a work of science fiction. You will gain greater skill, insight, and enjoyment as readers, thinkers, critics, writers, and publishers of your own (original!) mystery or science fiction short story.

CSI Forensics: Cases"We're crime scene investigators, please don't touch anything!" How do we scientifically determine who has committed a crime? You will work collaboratively and individually to understand and apply forensic science methods to specific cases.

Digital Media Production CLOSED


How does a video go from idea to the latest BatDad Vine or Star Wars film? Explore how digital media is produced and distributed across different platforms. Work collaboratively and individually on digital media projects. Explore how digital content continues to change how society is informed and entertained.

Einstein’s Astrophysics: Matter/Antimatter When you look up at the night sky, do you wish that you had an ultimate telescope that could visualize different types of particles? Embark on a deep dive worthy of Einstein and Hawking, an intergalactic exploration from how stars and galaxies function to the theory of relativity.. Discover how we have developed ways to observe the universe from telescopes to the Large Hadron Collider. Work collaboratively and individually to explore strange objects and analyze different types of processes. This course will encompass many advanced topics but will focus on particle physics and quantum mechanics.

Expert Painting TechniquesWhether, a beginner, novice, or experienced artist, you will be able to begin or further your exploration of painting techniques in this differentiated course. An extension of Painting, and Advanced Painting Techniques, your study of various artists and their masterpieces continues through the techniques they have used to bring their creations to the next level. Guidance will be provided by an experienced artist. Students will be exposed to various painters and techniques, and will be able to complete painted works modeled after the style(s) of their choice.

G & T Debate Team Prove you have what it takes to craft and deliver polished responses as part of the Gifted & Talented Debate Team! Verbal communication mastery is a highly valued skill. Work collaboratively and individually to practice your written and verbal communication skills. From doctors and lawyers to parents and politicians, your debating skills will serve you well.

History of Rock & Roll CLOSEDWhat made The Beatles, The Beatles? Explore what and who influenced key rock and roll artists, from world politics to rival musicians. Students will investigate the evolution of rock and roll through 1980, with a focus on the musical and historical connections among artists from Elvis to Dylan to The Rolling Stones.

Man vs. Earth: The Rise & Fall of Societies What do we need to know to succeed as a society? Explore the environmental factors that have led to the rise and fall of societies from Easter Island to Tikopia. This interdisciplinary course will simultaneously challenge your scientific investigation and historical research skills. Investigate how our current society may or may not have learned environmental lessons from the past that are necessary to sustain ourselves as a species for many generations to come.


Students will be required to purchase “Collapse” by Jared Diamond as course reference material.

Mysteries, Conspiracies & Intrigues CLOSEDA course guaranteed to fascinate and challenge both history and mystery lovers alike. Subjects covered include the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, the explosion of the Hindenburg, the “death” of Beatle Paul McCartney, mysterious Stonehenge, the incredible conundrum of Princess Anastasia, the true meaning of the Wizard of Oz, the Bermuda Triangle, the presidential assassinations and so much more. In short, we will investigate the most fascinating and thought-provoking events of all time. Armed with film, speculation and actual historical artifacts, this course promises to be an entertaining and unique opportunity to study, learn, and enjoy the pursuit of historical truth.

Organic Chemistry Organic chemistry is the study of compounds containing carbon. Students considering a STEM career, especially in biomedicine, are encouraged to take this course. Work collaboratively and individually to explore organic compound classifications, properties, and reactions. This course will serve as an excellent tour of a collegiate level organic chemistry course.

Raspberry Pi Projects CLOSEDImprove the world one hack at a time with projects that use a Raspberry Pi micro PC device for communication. Students will develop their programming and engineering design skills by working together in small groups to create economical, Do-It-Yourself solutions to increasingly complex situations. The final course project will be chosen by the student to present to the class for peer review. Students will be encouraged to create solutions that also accomplish goals in other courses, i.e. Advanced Business Strategies.

Robots as Problem Solvers: Vex Robotics Save the world with robots! This engineering applications course is designed to challenge students to choose a real-world problem to solve and use robots as the focus of the solution. Investigate the problem, then design, model, and build the solution using computer design software and available parts. Students will present their solutions, critique each other’s projects, and use the feedback to improve their solutions. Students will be encouraged to create solutions that also accomplish goals in other courses.

Structural Engineering How does the Panama Canal work - and our local example of the Morris Canal? How do the components of a city's infrastructure interact? Explore the engineering concepts that allow for complex structures to exist. Students will work collaboratively and individually to take what they know from the world around them, expand upon their understanding, and then apply those concepts to the real world.


Sustainable Architectural Design CLOSEDInvestigate designed spaces or places that contribute to creating a sense of community and fulfill needs while also leaving behind less of a carbon footprint. Can you build a structure that has the lowest carbon footprint possible, utilizing locally sourced materials and new technologies that decrease energy use? Learn about the development of sustainable architecture over the decades, LEED certification, design strategies and technologies focused on sustainable practices. Students will collaborate to design a structure that is based on these sustainable practices.

Theater Technology CLOSEDHow do you light up the stage to simulate a heavenly scene? How do stage rigging, electronics, and mechanics give you the ability to generate the perfect settings and effects for productions? Learn about the technical side of theater through exploring advanced construction techniques and scenic, costume and lighting design and technology.

Wearable Technologies CLOSEDHow does a Fitbit work? What makes a dress shirt resist stains? The ability to wear technology has quickly expanded, especially over the past decade. This course will challenge students to investigate a variety of technologically advanced clothing and accessories. The final project will involve students designing and developing the marketing plan for their own wearable invention.

Grades 7-12 Online Advanced Placement Courses

AP Environmental Science The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with thescientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand theinterrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Note: this course does not include the administration of an AP exam. AP exams are administered each spring through the College Board. This course will occur on weeknights and weekends between October and April using the Canvas online learning management system. Online AP students will be required to purchase the appropriate course textbook for an additional fee.

AP Psychology The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce you to the systematic andscientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and otheranimals. The psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology will be presented.You will also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and


practice. Note: this course does not include the administration of an AP exam. AP exams are administered each spring through the College Board. This course will occur on weeknights and weekends between October and April using the Canvas online learning management system. Online AP students will be required to purchase the appropriate course textbook for an additional fee.

Documents

· Web viewStudents will explore the history of modern medicine by investigating how pirates, privateers, and other adventurers learned how to remain healthy while exploring the