Mount Olive High School New Courses

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1 AP CAPSTONE PROGRAM AP Capstone is an innovative diploma program from the College Board that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. AP Capstone is built on the foundation of two AP courses AP Seminar and AP Research and is designed to complement and enhance the indepth, discipline-specific study experienced in other AP courses. In AP Seminar, students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives, gathering and analyzing information from various sources in order to develop credible and valid evidence-based arguments. In AP Research, students cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research in order to produce and defend a scholarly academic thesis. This course will be offered in Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing will receive the AP Capstone Diploma. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams will receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. AP Seminar may also be taken as a stand-alone option as a college readiness preparation course. ADVANCED PLACEMENT SEMINAR Grade By Application AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in researchbased written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments. There are no prerequisites for the AP Seminar course. First We Will Be Best, Then We Will Be First!

2 ADVANCED PLACEMENT RESEARCH Grade By Application INDUSTRIAL DESIGN II Industrial Design is the process--from concept to functionality and design--of developing products for everyday use in a revolutionary MakerSpace facility. This course will challenge students to create products, while considering the impact of their designs as they relate to a variety of cultural, social and personal needs. Students build upon the skills learned in Industrial Design I, focusing on "Incremental Innovation," which is taking an existing product and improving it in purposeful ways. Creative thinking, collaboration, and participation in the design process will be central to this course. Materials may include cardboard, foam, clay, wood, metal, 3D prints or anything prescribed by the design. Prerequisite: MOHS MakerSpace 2015 Industrial Design I or teacher approval AP Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students design, plan, and conduct a yearlong mentored, research-based investigation to address a research question. In the AP Research course, students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by understanding research methods; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. The course culminates in an academic thesis paper of approximately 5,000 words and a presentation, performance, or exhibition with an oral defense. Prerequisite: Advanced Placement Seminar INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING II 5.0 Credits In this class students will explore the engineering design process through application to a wide variety of design projects. Projects will be chosen to include a wide spectrum of the engineering disciplines discussed in the prerequisite course, Introduction to Engineering I. The students will work through all phases of a design from conceptualization, prototyping, testing to final evaluation of the results of the project. Creative thinking skills will be central to this course to help students "think outside the box" in their design work. Students will also continue their work with the 3D CAD modeling program, Solidworks, building upon the fundamental skills learned in Introduction to Engineering I. Students will explore more advanced modeling and sketching techniques through a series of practical modeling exercises and case studies. The course will cover how to create more intricate parts and assemblies as well as guide students through the process of creating and printing 3D models of their designed parts. Prerequisite: Introduction to Engineering I 2

3 ROCK AND ROLL ACADEMY TBD Credits This brand new independent study course at MOHS is for students who are interested in advancing their musicianship through the genre of rock music. This is a performance-based class, which will be held in our new state-of-the-art recording studio. Students will learn how to create a band, learn various styles of rock music and give performances in and out of school. Students must be self-motivated and have the desire to perform at a professional level. See Mr. Vanzini (A116) for audition material. Prerequisite: Audition (drum set, bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals) ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Grade 9 th Grade -By Application The goal of this course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing these problems. Environmental Science is a challenging interdisciplinary course; it incorporates a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. However, strong emphasis is placed on several unifying themes, including: scientific problem-solving, energy conversions in ecosystems, change of natural systems over time, human impact on natural systems, the scientific, social, and cultural context of environmental issues, and development of sustainable environmental practices. This is a rigorous introductory College Environmental Science course, and students' goals should include Advanced Placement Testing. Laboratory activities are conducted weekly. The Environmental Science course requires a strong background in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, as well as Algebra. Academy AUDIO ENGINEERING TBD Credits This offering is an independent study in basic audio engineering course that will instruct students in the fundamentals of recording and sound-production techniques in a state-of-the-art sound studio. Topics common to these audio engineering courses include the use of microphones, sound characteristics, acoustical principals and design objectives in audio projects. Instructors also discuss psychoacoustics, which has to do with how people perceive sound, and waveform physics, which describes how sound works. This course will also explore the mixing process, which involves adjusting the volume and tonal characteristics of each sound source in a recording or live performance. Students learn about equalization, compression and delay during mixdown, and they may take part in recording and mixing sessions. More information can be found about this course at 3

4 INDUSTRIAL DESIGN I 2. Mount Olive High School Industrial Design is a project-based course that covers modern tools and methods for product design and development. The cornerstone is a project in which teams of management, engineering, and industrial design students conceive, design and prototype a physical product. Class sessions are conducted in workshop mode and employ cases and hands-on exercises to reinforce the key concepts. Topics include identifying customer needs, concept generation, product architecture, industrial design, and design-for-manufacturing. STRATEGIES FOR VISUAL COMMUNICATION 2. This course will dive into the world of visual communications, exploring the creative process and business practice of becoming a well-rounded visual communicator. Areas of study will include advertising campaigns through video marketing, developing multimedia messages utilizing various tools including our professional LED Curtain, and studying public relations/speaking to connect with a variety of audiences. Students will engage in authentic learning experiences that will prepare them for post-secondary programs of study as well as careers in visual communications. INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING I 5.0 Credits Wondering what it means to be an engineer? This course is designed for students who are considering a career in engineering or engineering technology. A description of what engineering is, what an engineer does, and educational requirements for pursuit of an engineering degree will be discussed. A complete discussion of current engineering fields of practice and potential career opportunities will be explored. Students will use 3D solid modeling design software to solve proposed problems and will learn how to document their work and communicate their solutions. The major focus of the Introduction to Engineering course is to expose students to the engineering careers, the design process, research and analysis, teamwork, communication methods, global and human impacts, engineering standards, and technical documentation. HUMANOIDS VISUAL PROGRAMMING 2. This is an introductory class for students who may be interested in programming. This course will utilize the NAO humanoid robots as well as SNAP! for students to use to acquaint themselves with visual programming languages and the logic used behind them. Students will accomplish making the humanoid speak, respond, move and dance as well as use SNAP to create a play and create a video game. 4

5 SPANISH II HONORS ADVANCED CULINARY 2.5 credits This is a third level Foods Course. Successful completion of Basic Foods and Foods II is a pre-requisite for this course. This class is for the student who enjoys cooking and wants to expand their culinary knowledge. Students will explore specialty techniques and ingredients used to make appetizers, salads, soups, sauces, breads, pastries, desserts, and more. This course is a great stepping stone for students who might be thinking about continuing in the field of the Culinary Arts. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Foods II FOODS II - International 2. This course is an introduction to the cuisine of the seven Regions of the United States. Students will become aware of the foods that we consider to be Native to our country. As the students explore each region they will develop an understanding of how climate, geography and culture all affect Regional Food Choices. Students will celebrate holidays and prepare various recipes and customary foods from each area of the country. This class would be a second level class. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Basic Foods This course constitutes an intensive training in listening, speaking, writing and reading Spanish. A more in-depth study of grammar, vocabulary, idiom development and composition is included. Communicative skills and cultural awareness are an important component of this course. This course is highly recommended for AP track students. Successful completion of summer assignment is required. FRENCH II HONORS This course constitutes an intensive training in listening, speaking, writing and reading French. A more in-depth study of grammar, vocabulary, idiom development and composition is included. Communicative skills and cultural awareness are an important component of this course. This course is highly recommended for AP track students. Successful completion of summer assignment is required. ITALIAN II HONORS Reading and reasoning skills are built through literacy while placing emphasis on listening comprehension and speaking skills. Students are given the opportunity to demonstrate their comprehension of the language in creative ways and begin individual exploration of the language to foster independent learning. Italian customs and culture continue to be infused throughout this course. This course is recommended for students who desire to continue their study of Italian in Italian III and IV Honors. First We Will Be Best, Then We Will Be First! 5

6 POETRY READING AND WRITING 2. To be a poet, an author must be a master of both the written word and one s own imagination. Figurative language, literary devices, diction, tone, structure, syntax, rhyme and meter are all tools that the poetic architect utilizes to visualize and construct a poetic masterpiece. In this semester course students will experience and analyze the work of classic and contemporary poets and model and connect to these inspirational compositions in the process of their own writing. Students will study the forms, styles, methods, experiences, influences, and messages captured in a range of poetic forms. In addition, they will engage in the revision process: evaluating, improving and editing their own work and the creations of their peers. Students poetry work will be showcased through individual writing portfolios, as well as the creation of chapbooks and collections in both the online and print worlds. CREATIVE WRITING 2. This semester course introduces students to the fundamentals of creative writing, allowing them to discover their voices as they write in a range of styles for diverse audiences. Students will fully engage with the writing workshop process, focusing heavily on the constructing, compiling, revising and editing of their pieces. Writings will cover numerous genres, including: fiction, short stories, and vignettes; dramatic scenes and monologues; memoir and personal writing, poetry and spoken word pieces. Students will engage in the use of digital media to create, share and evaluate their work, as well as the work of their peers. Students will spend the entirety of the course creating and developing digital portfolios showcasing their mastery of the writers craft as well as their creative growth. Budding writers will develop a clear understanding that for an author to put words on paper or in a virtual word is to ensure one s life, emotions and legacy shall live on forever. 6 ADVANCED PLACEMENT WORLD HISTORY - 9 th Grade By Application The purpose of the AP World History course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contracts, in interaction with different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in international frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The course emphasizes relevant factual knowledge deployed in conjunction with leading interpretive issues and types of historical evidence. The course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological precedents that, along with geography, set the human stage. Periodization, explicitly discussed, forms an organizing principle for dealing with change and continuity throughout the course. Specific themes provide further organization to the course, along with the consistent attention to contacts among societies that form the core of world history as a field of study. The themes of study in the AP World History course are dynamics of change and continuity, patterns and effects of interactions: trade, war, diplomacy, and international organizations; the effects of technology, economics, and demography on people and the environment; systems of social structure and gender structure, cultural, intellectual, and religious developments; and changes in political cultures and political organizations. These themes provide broad parameters for the course and may be expanded or modified for instruction. Teachers and students should also feel free to develop their own course themes as they look at the human past through a variety of lenses and examine World History from multiple perspectives. Students will be expected to complete a summer assignment as part of course requirements. This assignment will be due at the first class meeting in September. More information can be found about this course at