National Inventors Hall of Fame® Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics High School

ADVISORY
Advisory – 1/4 credit
Advisory is an academic course in which all learners participate for 80 minutes bi-weekly. This graded course must be completed satisfactorily in order to earn credit each year. Advocacy, personal growth, academic support, career and college readiness, community service, and service learning are facilitated through the advisory class. Learners must complete a digital portfolio, participate in a Roundtable exhibition encompassing the school's Core Values, fulfill service learning and community opportunities, and engage in advisory­-related coursework throughout the year.

ENGLISH
Honors Language Arts 9 – 1 English credit
Honors Language Arts 9 includes an overview of excellent literature, emphasizing language and literature strategies necessary for successful experiences not only in English courses but also in all instructional areas. As a result of the increasing demands of written language performance, this course places greater emphasis on written work as the course moves into the study of short stories, novels, dramas, poetry, literary nonfiction and speech. Vocabulary development and information literacy are integral parts of this program. Two novels selected from the Required Reading List and completion of a Dialectical Journal and Book Review are course requirements during the summer prior to entering the ninth grade.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Chinese I – 1 Foreign Language credit
In Chinese I, learners are introduced to tones, pronunciation and Romanization, vocabulary, and basic dialogues while gradually building a foundation in speaking Chinese and in behaving appropriately in the Chinese culture. Learners engage in communicative skills such as meeting and appropriately greeting and identifying people. Conversational language skills are developed through authentic dialogue settings. Speaking and listening skills are the main focus in Chinese I class.

Chinese II – 1 Foreign language credit
In Chinese II, vocabulary and dialogues about people and daily activities are introduced in context through authentic dialogue settings and speaking scenarios. Speaking and listening skills continue to improve through daily use. Learners are expected to create meaningful conversations, improve their cultural awareness, and discuss social and cultural implications of Chinese language and other cultural issues that arise. Basic writing will be introduced in Chinese II, which includes stroke, radicals and phonetic components.

MATHEMATICS
Honors Geometry – 1 Mathematics credit
In this course, learners explore more complex geometric situations and deepen their explanations of geometric relationships, moving toward formal mathematical arguments. Learners will experience math topics in numeric, symbolic and graphic form. Learners will be expected to demonstrate mastery of course material mentally, using paper and pencil techniques, and with technology. Reasoning and sense-making will be emphasized along with procedural performance.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education – 1/2 credit
In this course, learners demonstrate mastery through physical activities, class projects and topic-based group discussions. A weekly exercise log sheet based on each learner's aerobic and anaerobic activity is maintained. Intermediate skills, team and individual activities will be learned by learners. Physical education classes are co-educational.

SCIENCE
Honors Biology – 1 Science credit
This course investigates the composition, diversity, complexity and interconnectedness of life on Earth. Fundamental concepts of heredity and evolution provide a framework through inquiry-based instruction to explore the living world, the physical environment, and the interactions within and between them. Learners engage in investigations to understand and explain the behavior of living things in a variety of scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills and real-world applications.

SOCIAL STUDIES
Honors World History – 1 Social Studies credit
This course concentrates– on the period of history from 1750 to the present. While emphasis is focused on European history and the events that shape our modern Western society, the course also is structured to include non-Western cultures and their contributions to the present world situation. Learners will develop skills in primary source analysis, interpretive historical reading and essay writing.

ENGINEERING
Engineering Design Tools – 1 Technology credit
This course will integrate knowledge and skills from other courses through problem-based learning. This course will provide a broad set of design tools that are applicable in a variety of engineering fields. These tools include an introduction to drafting (CAD), engineering design (including hands-on deconstruction and design improvements), quality assurance (including applications of Excel), geospatial mapping and geographic information system (GIS, which is related to GPS). A design project and presentation is the culminating feature of the course.

ELECTIVE COURSES
Digital Media – 1 Elective credit
This course is designed to teach learners how to create digital media that will incorporate design principles, text, sound, graphics, photo editing and video editing. Learners will utilize various hardware accessories including digital cameras, digital camcorders and scanners in their multimedia designs. Current copyright laws will be researched, discussed and practiced throughout the course. This course includes production work and related activities of school publications, e.g., advertising and finances for newspaper and/or yearbook.

MUSIC
Concert Band – 1 Fine Arts credit
Learners will continue to use and identify musical terms and symbols for articulation and expression, demonstrate sight-reading abilities, and begin to improvise over simple chord progressions. They will discuss and compare various musical styles and perform a varied repertoire of music representing diverse genres and cultures, alone and in ensembles. Throughout the rehearsals and performances, learners will demonstrate technical accuracy, appropriate tone quality, articulation, intonation and expression for the works being performed with good posture and breath control. Concert Band performs each year at the APS Bands-In-The Round and the OMEA District Band competition. The Band also presents several concerts each year for area schools, parents and the APS community. Rehearsal and performance participation is mandatory in all music groups.

Choir – 1 Fine Arts credit
Learners will continue to use and identify musical terms and symbols for articulation and expression and demonstrate sight-reading abilities in choral selections. They will begin to vocally improvise over simple chord progressions. Throughout the rehearsals and performances, learners will demonstrate technical accuracy, appropriate tone quality, articulation, intonation and expression for the works being performed with good posture and breath control. This will occur as learners sing a variety of musical phrases. They will discuss, perform and compare various musical styles and perform a varied repertoire of music representing diverse genres and cultures, alone and in ensembles. Throughout this course, learners will perform and discuss music from different eras/genres (Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic, Impressionistic, Jazz, Gospel, Spiritual, Folk Songs, and Broadway). The choir will perform at APS Choirs-in-the-Round and several concerts each year for the school and the community. Rehearsal and performance participation is mandatory in all music groups.

Orchestra – 1 Fine Arts credit
Learners will continue to use and identify musical terms and symbols for articulation and expression, demonstrate sight-reading abilities, and begin to improvise over simple chord progressions. They will discuss and compare various musical styles and perform a varied repertoire of music representing diverse genres and cultures, alone and in ensembles. Throughout the rehearsals and performances, learners will demonstrate technical accuracy, appropriate tone quality, articulation, intonation and expression for the works being performed with good posture. Orchestra performs each year at the APS Strings Festival. The Orchestra also presents several concerts each year for area schools, parents and the APS community. Rehearsal and performance participation is mandatory in all music groups.

For more information on the ninth-grade band and orchestra, click here.