SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

Ap Capstone

Advanced Placement Capstone Seminar (1700500 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 10-12

Course Description:

This course equips students with independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. It cultivates curious, independent, and collaborative scholars and prepares them to make logical, evidence-based decisions. AP Capstone is comprised of two AP courses— AP Seminar and AP Research—and enables students to graduate with an AP Diploma if they pass a total of six AP exams, two of which must be AP Seminar and AP Research. AP Seminar has students investigate real-world issues in an interdisciplinary manner. Students explore and take ownership of their God-given interests and passions to empower their scholarship and perspective. Students learn to synthesize information from different sources, develop their own line of reasoning in research-based written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual dissertations, both individually and collaboratively with a team. Content is specified by the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Prerequisite: Students must have earned an A- or better in Honors English or B- or better in Pre-AP or AP English and have a recommendation from current English teacher.

Advanced Placement Capstone Research (1700510 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 11-12

Course Description:

This course allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Content is specified by the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Prerequisite: Completion of Advanced Placement Capstone Seminar.

Engineering

Introduction to Engineering Design Honors (8600550 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 9-12

Course Description:

This course exposes students to the design process, research and analysis, teamwork, communication methods, global and human impacts, engineering standards, and technical documentation. Students employ engineering and scientific concepts in the solution of engineering design problems. In addition, they also learn to use 3D solid, modeling design software to create solutions to problems. Students develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions, document the process, and communicate the results. Prerequisite: None.

Principles of Engineering Honors (8600520 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 9-12

Course Description:

This course helps students understand the field of engineering/engineering technology. It also prepares them for postsecondary engineering programs by developing a more in-depth mastery of the required knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology. Through problem-based learning strategies, students study key engineering topics, including mechanisms, energy sources, energy applications, machine control, fluid power, statics, material properties, material testing, statistics, and kinematics. Exploring various technology systems and manufacturing processes helps students learn how engineers and technicians use math, science and technology in an engineering, problem-solving process to benefit people. This course also addresses concerns about the social and political consequences of technological change. Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction to Engineering Design Honors and teacher recommendation.

Aerospace Engineering Honors (8600620 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 10-12

Course Description:

This course engages students in analyzing and planning solutions to engineering design problems related to aerospace information systems, astronautics, rocketry, propulsion, the physics of space science, space life sciences, the biology of space science, principles of aeronautics, structures and materials, and systems engineering. Students work in teams and participate in hands-on projects and activities to learn the characteristics of aerospace engineering. Students also study major problems and are exposed to the various situations that aerospace engineers face in their careers. Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction to Engineering Design Honors and Principles of Engineering Honors and teacher recommendation.

Engineering Design and Development Honors (8600650 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 10-12

Course Description:

The knowledge and skills students acquire throughout PLTW Engineering are applied in this course. Students identify an issue and then research, design, and test a solution. Their findings and solution are then presented to a panel of engineers. Students apply the professional skills they develop to document a design process and complete this course ready to take on any post-secondary, engineering program or career. Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction to Engineering Design Honors, Principles of Engineering Honors and have a teacher recommendation.

Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (0200335 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 9-12

Course Description:

This course is intended to replicate an introductory, college-level computing course that provides students with an opportunity to learn about many ideas central to computer science. Students cultivate their understanding of computer science through working with data, collaborating to solve problems, and developing computer programs as they explore concepts like creativity, abstraction, data and information, algorithms, programming, the internet, and the global impact of computing. Students develop computational thinking skills necessary for success in many disciplines. Content is specified by the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Prerequisite: Algebra 1.

Advanced Placement Computer Science A (0200320 – 1.0 credit)

Grade Level: 10-12

Course Description:

AP Computer Science A introduces students to computer science through programming. Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language, Content is specified by the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Prerequisite: Completion of AP Computer Science Principles with a passing grade of an A, or a 3 or better on the AP Computer Science Principles exam, and teacher recommendation.