Through a variety of creative, collaborative, and practical activities, students are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. STEAM courses include concepts and/or processes used in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
1-block course; Required for all 9th graders.
In this transdisciplinary, project-based course, students will bring together science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in the study of topics that might include: Sound, Kinetic Sculptures, Agricultural Design, and Paper Engineering. This course will further develop students’ research and critical thinking skills as well as techniques of measurement and data collection. By using the design process to analyze situations and to problem-solve, students will complete projects that incorporate aspects of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Projects frequently require collaboration both inside and outside of the Madeira community, and presentations of the final products can include a variety of audiences while using multiple presentation media. Prerequisites: None.
3-block course; Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
This course is an introduction to the fundamental ideas of physics including applications to everyday experiences using concepts, mathematical calculations, and frequent laboratory exercises. In their study of the physical universe, students will delve into many branches of physics, including matter and its motion, the nature of light, sound phenomena, electricity and magnetism. Mathematical calculations are used to enhance and describe ideas that are initially presented at a conceptual level. This course may be used to meet the Physics requirement for AP Biology but may not be used to meet the Physics requirement for AP Chemistry or AP Physics C. Prerequisites: Biology. Corequisites: Must be in Geometry or higher.
Modules:
PWG I: Forces and Motion (required first course)
PWG: Waves, Light and Sound
PWG: Energy
PWG: Electricity and Magnetism
1-4 block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
In this investigative, project-based course, students will bring together science, technology, engineering, arts and math as a broad framework for discovery and analysis of the world around them. Students will apply the fundamentals of math, science, and the arts to interdisciplinary, real world challenges which may include but are not limited to electronics, international health issues, business, education, and architecture. Projects will require collaboration with others inside and outside of the Madeira community; documentation of the process of designing, constructing, testing, evaluating, and re-designing solutions to problems; and presentations of final products to a variety of audiences. This course will provide students with the opportunity to develop their research and critical thinking skills as they design innovative products and solutions to address common global goals. Prerequisites: None.
*Special note: Each module is an independent course.
Modules:
Topics in STEAM: Biomimicry
Topics in STEAM: Designing for Access & Abilities
Topics in STEAM: Sustainability
Topics in STEAM: Global Issues
1-block course; Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
A survey class in contemporary topics in digital literacy. Students will investigate topics in rapid prototyping, cloud computing, programming, hardware and digital citizenship while learning critical 21st-century skills and gaining experience with a variety of hands-on technologies. This course will be taught with a blended model, which means students will be interacting with the teacher and each other face-to-face as well as on-line.
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
September through May (Modules 1 to 6) on Tuesday, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Additional hours required for play and musical set builds, tech weeks, and One Acts.
Stagecraft is a year-long, hands-on course in technical theatre and production design. Students will have the opportunity to learn scenic construction and painting, properties and costume construction, lighting and sound engineering principles, and technical drafting for theatre. During the course, students will be actively practicing numerous skills such as logistics, organization, collaboration, and project management. Students will experience a project from sketches to building to deconstruction and along the way will learn to solve problems in creative and collaborative ways. In this manner, the Fall Play, Winter Musical, and One Acts Festival will provide dramatic learning experiences from backstage to the tech booth.
Students who return for multiple years have the opportunity to take on more senior roles in leadership, design, and project management, in addition to learning theater history. These roles and assignments will challenge their creativity and imagination and will be more tailored to the individual as they design and create technical elements for the student-led One Acts Festival. Students who take on this challenge will develop skills in flexibility, collaboration, self-evaluation, leadership, and project management. All students take the course for three academic credits.
*Special note: There is an additional $50 material fee for the third level of this class.
1-block course; Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Students will learn how to use and control a school-supplied 35mm film camera. Both film developing and printing photographs will be taught. The history of photography will be explored as well as the fundamentals of composition. Prerequisites: None.
*Special notes: There is a $50 fee for this class.
1-block course; Open to grades 11 and 12
This course will investigate one or more major scientific challenges facing the world today. Types of topics could include (but are not limited to) climate change, scientific literacy, and education, as well as ethical considerations with emerging technologies. The class is collaborative and project-based culminating in a class-produced product. Prerequisites: None.
Class of 2020 & beyond: