At Pikes Peak Prep, our students receive a well-rounded education that will put them on the path to college. Here are a list of electives and descriptions offered this year ('12-'13) to our high school students.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
Project Lead The Way™ Pathway To Engineering High School Engineering Program
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
Introduction to Engineering Design is the first year class in Pathway To Engineering (PTE) sequence. The major focus of IED is the design process and its application. Through hands-on projects, students apply engineering standards and document their work. Students use industry standard 3D modeling software to help them design solutions to solve proposed problems, document their work using an engineer’s notebook, and communicate solutions to peers and members of the professional community. About Project Lead The Way™ Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education curricular programs used in middle and high schools across the U.S. STEM education is at the heart of today’s high-tech, high-skill global economy. For America to remain economically competitive, our next generation of leaders -- the students of today -- must develop the critical-reasoning and problem-solving skills that will help make them the most productive in the world. STEM education programs like the one offered by PLTW engage students in activities-, projects-, and problem-based (APPB) learning, which provides hands-on classroom experiences. Students create, design, build, discover, collaborate and solve problems while applying what they learn in math and science. They're also exposed to STEM fields through professionals from local industries who supplement the real world aspect of the curriculum through mentorships and workplace experiences. PLTW's comprehensive curriculum for engineering sciences has been collaboratively designed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals and school administrators to promote critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving skills in students. About the Pathway To Engineering High School Engineering Program Pathway To Engineering (PTE) program is a sequence of engineering courses which follows a proven, hands-on, real-world problem-solving approach to learning. Throughout Pathways To Engineering, students learn and apply the design process, acquire strong teamwork and communication proficiency and develop organizational, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. They discover the answers to questions like how are things made and what processes go into creating products. Students use the same industry-leading 3D design software used by companies like Intel, Lockheed Martin and Pixar. They explore aerodynamics, astronautics and space life sciences. Hello, NASA. Students apply biological and engineering concepts related to biomechanics – think robotics. They design, test and actually construct circuits and devices such as smart phones and tablets and work collaboratively on a culminating capstone project. It’s STEM education and it’s at the heart of today’s high-tech, high-skill global economy. PTE courses complement traditional mathematics and science courses. The program is designed to prepare students to pursue a post-secondary education and careers in Science Technology Engineering and Math related fields.
Computer Technology Applications
In this course, students will gain the computer skills they need to become confident and prepared to use technology at school, at work, in college, in the professional world, and in everyday life. Topics include search engines and web browsers, keyboarding and typing, presentations, website design, image editing, and spreadsheets. Students will also become familiar with a number of web-based applications, such as Gmail™, Blogger™, Google™ Calendar, and GoogleReader™. Computer Applications will also challenge high school students to become highly proficient in Microsoft Word®, Excel®, PowerPoint®, and Outlook® through engaging lessons and coursework.
3D Animation and Game Design
This introductory course teaches animation essentials through hands-on projects in Adobe® Flash®, a professional grade software program used by animation experts worldwide. Students will create a diverse portfolio of their own animations. During the second semester, students will learn the fundamentals of game
design and development through step-by-step projects in Adobe® Flash®. Students will create a diverse portfolio of games, incorporating game mechanics such as point-and-click, click-and-drag, shooter, scrolling action, and multi-room exploration.
ART AND PUBLISHING
2D Art
2D Art Students will be introduced to the elements and principals of art through a variety of 2D projects including drawing, painting, collage and printmaking. Traditional and contemporary media will be utilized to help students discover their niche and allow them to develop a portfolio with techniques and big ideas that are relevant to them.
3D Art
An exciting and progressive class in the basics of sculpture and modeling. Students will discover clay, found objects, motors and wire plus more media to design and build their creations. Contemporary as well as traditional techniques will be employed to focus students on creating a portfolio that has relevance to their interests.
Computer Graphic Design
Students will learn to use the computer as a tool for creating their own work and for manipulating digitized images. Students will use graphic design programs such as Adobe Illustrator®, Photoshop®, and In-Design®), as well as digital imaging devices (digital cameras and scanners), to create a variety of 2D projects, which may include story illustrations, commercial art projects, and original works of art. Students will create a portfolio of their work in hard copy and electronically showcasing their skills.
Publications
This class will focus on the fundamentals of journalism and journalistic-style writing, photography and photojournalism, and create and publish the school’s yearbook, newspaper, and literary arts magazine. Publications Production staff members will also contribute photos and stories to the school’s website. Note: Work outside of class covering school and community events will be required.
MUSIC
Choir
Pikes Peak Prep is working to expand our choir program to include a variety of vocal groups based on student interest and ability. Students will work together as a large vocal ensemble and focus on choral skills development and performance. As the year progresses, students will continue to improve their large-group ensemble performance and will also branch out into smaller, more specialized vocal groups, such as women’s and men’s ensembles, a capella and show choir groupings. Public concerts and choir competitions are planned. Note: Rehearsals and performances outside of school time are required.
Band, Drum Line and Color Guard
Students will be grouped based on experience and interest. Focus will be on musical skills and performance development. Color guard is a new group forming. Students who join color guard will perform synchronized flag routines in coordination with the band and drum line. Band, drum line and color guard will perform together at concerts, community and school events, and parades. Note: Rehearsals and performances outside of school time are required.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION (Grades 10-12)
Note: All ninth grade students will be scheduled for ninth grade Physical Education class.
Physical Fitness and Conditioning
This class will teach students how to reach personalized goals by implementing and monitoring an individualized fitness plan. Participants will learn the five components of physical fitness which include: cardio endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition. Students will be assessed on improvement with the goal of improving in all of the five component areas. Participants will also master methods used for self-assessment. Students will learn how to perform heart rate calculations as it relates to a fitness program. Class participants will gain knowledge of the muscles of the body and the various methods used to effectively and safely train them. Some team sports will also be a part of this class to help students master cardio endurance. Note: Thanks to a generous donation of weight training equipment, Pikes Peak Prep is adding a new weight and fitness room.
Individual and Team Lifetime Sports
This class will focus on teaching students the skills necessary to participate at a competent level in a variety of lifelong sports and recreation. Students will master the skills needed to apply rules and ethics to non-traditional and traditional sports and activities, including but not limited to: badminton, pickleball, tennis, volleyball, softball, basketball, handball, lacrosse, line dancing, yoga and pilates. Students will be assessed on participation, content knowledge and skill improvement. This class will also teach students how to demonstrate respect and support for self and others.
SCHOOL SERVICE
Teaching Assistant (Classroom aid and tutor)
High school students who serve as a Teaching Assistant (TA) will assist elementary or secondary teachers with classroom-related tasks and projects. Students assigned to kindergarten – sixth grade classrooms will also assist our elementary students in developing reading, writing and math skills. The Teaching Assistant will act to enhance self-esteem and confidence in children through patience and encouragement. Working as an elementary classroom aid and tutor provides relevant experience for students interested in careers in education, childcare, and literacy-related fields.
ON-LINE LANGUAGE ELECTIVES
Students who elect to take a language on-line through E2020 will be scheduled for an independent study block in the computer lab. Tutoring assistance will be available from faculty members or virtual coaches. E2020 on-line courses are also accessible from home.
E2020 on-line language courses use PowerSpeak, and courses are aligned to national
standards as set forth by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
For a sample lesson, go to http://demo.pglms.com/sections/home.
In all E2020 on-line language courses, students are introduced to the language with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Each unit consists of an ongoing adventure story, a vocabulary theme and grammar concept, interactive games reinforcing vocabulary and grammar, reading and listening comprehension, speaking and writing. Multimedia cultural presentations cover major language-specific speaking areas in the world.
On-line language courses available for 2012-2013:
French I German I Latin I Spanish I,Spanish II and Spanish III
Note: Chinese I will be offered if a qualified local tutor is identified.
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