Optional Activities Elective

Optional activities elective:

STEMs - Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Description of course:

-This class is intended to be an enrichment course. The focus of this class is hands-on, inquiry-based and technological design-based learning.

-Class-work would enhance students understanding of Science and Technology and allow students to prepare for one or more of the following competitions: 1) Science Olympiads (Feb), & 3) Invention Convention (March)

-Students would be expected to compete in at least one of the two competitions (which may include weekends).

- See back for proposed units of instruction & time line sequence:

(A student survey will be conduct to help determine students’ area of interest.)

Description of students:

Who should sign up for class?

-Students who enjoy solving mysteries, or puzzles (Like CSI shows),

-Students who enjoy inventing or creating ,

-Students who are critical thinkers and evaluators,

-Students who like to analyze scientific reading to look for author bias,

-Students who enjoy science, or math and would like to have a chance to get a better understanding of what careers in these areas might involve.

When is the class and who will be selected to participate?

Students would choose to take this course as an elective one or possibly two day a week in place of Art, Chorus, Band, Music Appreciation, Yearbook, Paw Prints, or an extra day of Gym (but Gym & Health would still be required). Students that ranked this elective highest (1 vs.2) would be given first priority, in addition students who score “High” on science PASS, or who have been identified gifted & talented in math would be given priority over non-gifted and talented students. Tentative TopicsTentative Timeline

1st 9-weeks:

Introduction/Student Interest SurveyWeek 1

Scientific Processes

-Crime Scene InvestigationWeek 2

-Crime Scene InvestigationWeek 3

-Crime Scene InvestigationWeek 4

Investigative Inquiry/ Science Olymiads (This is based on last years categories)

1)Bio-process Lab /Science WordWeek 5

2)Disease DetectivesWeek 6

3)Robo-Cross/ Road ScholarWeek 7

4)EcologyWeek 8

5)OceanographyWeek 9

2nd 9-weeks:

6)Balloon Launch Glider/Reach for the StarsWeek 10

7)Rocks & MineralsWeek 11

8)Science Crime bustersWeek 12

9)Write It, Do ItWeek 13

10)Tower or Bridge building Week 14

11)Simple Machines/ScramblerWeek 15

12)Mystery ArchitectureWeek 16

13)TrajectoryWeek 17

14)Food Science Week 18

15)Road ScholarWeek 29

3rd 9-weeks:

Technology Innovation/Invention Convention

-Inventors & Inventions ResearchWeek 19

-Inventors & Invention PresentationsWeek 20

-Problem IdentificationWeek 21

-Problem Identification/Solution DesignWeek 21

-Solution Design Research Week 22

-Implementation/Prototype DevelopmentWeek 23

-Implementation/Prototype DevelopmentWeek 24

-EvaluationWeek 25

-RedesignWeek 26

-EvaluationWeek 27

4th 9-weeks: Environmental Detectives