pre-academies · 2019. 4. 12. · computer coding the computer coding pre-academy class is...
TRANSCRIPT
Pre-Academies
BoE MeetingApril 10, 2019
● Exploratory electives offered at
the Middle School
● Aligned with the Academies at
the High School
● Most pre-academies meet
every other day, for 10 weeks
● Students can select up to four
pre-academies in the 8th grade
What is a pre-academy?
In this pre-academy, students learn about
basic entrepreneurship and business
strategies. Students learn how to use
technology that is their own "virtual
businesses," which they create with their own
ideas in teams. In teams, students work
together to create and pitch real business
ideas, similar to the show "Shark Tank." They
create real business plans, marketing plans,
promotional materials, and websites for their
small businesses. In each of their businesses,
each student has a role to fill such as C.E.O.,
Head of Marketing, Head of
Accounting/Finance, Head of Human
Resources, etc. The students practice using
the entire Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Spark,
and Google Sites to create materials.
Virtual Enterprise Junior
Ventures!
BusinessThis class provides an introduction
to financial literacy skills. Students
investigate types of investment
options, how to identify a strong
business, how to invest in the stock
market, and how to be financially
responsible. Students will learn to
establish a budget, save money
and make sensible financial
decisions.
Odyssey of the Mind
Is a creative problem solving class
where “outside of the box” thinking
is encouraged. Students work on
individual puzzles and problems as
well as group challenges.
Sometimes, students must apply
their mathematical/logical thinking
while other times, they are utilizing
their verbal/linguistic or even
spatial awareness intelligence.
Students will learn to take an
engineering design approach to
problem solving. Students will
research, create a project, and test
it.
Science Research
Medical Detectives
Students play the role of real-life
medical detectives and analyze
genetic testing results to diagnose
diseases. They also study DNA
evidence found at “crime scenes,”
solve medical mysteries, and
investigate how the human body
systems work together to maintain
homeostasis.
RoboticsStudents will learn to build
advanced robotics using Lego
Mindstorm NXT and Tetrix robotics
systems. They will design,
construct, and program both
autonomous and remote controlled
robots. Students will also learn the
history and future of robotics
through research and current
events.
Computer Coding
The Computer Coding Pre-Academy class is
available to 8th grade students at the middle
school. In this course students learn about
creative computing which enables them to
draw upon creativity, imagination, and
interests to create a variety of projects.
Students will explore topics focused on skills
that will help them in college and career, how
technology has increased human productivity,
and how technology has produced positive
and negative changes in society. As we
explore these topics students will complete
several projects using the Scratch
programming language to design interactive
projects, digital stories, and games.
Design and Architecture
This course is an introduction to architecture.
We begin with an exploration of each
student’s home to discuss the different house
styles common to Long Island. Each student
will draw a floor plan of their home in class.
The main project has the students build a
basic model of a house showing the floor
system, walls, windows and doors with a truss
roof system. The hands-on project allows the
students to not just visualize the house, but to
see how a house is built and why it is
designed a certain way.
Theater Improvisation
Students are taught the
fundamental acting skills through a
series of fun exercises and team
building activities. Scenes are
created without the use of a script.
This pre-academy fosters
communication skills, creativity,
collaboration, and critical thinking.
Journalism This class is an overview of
journalism with a focus on media
literacy. Students learn the craft of
investigating a story and news
production. Students are involved
in reporting news and learn how to
create a balanced story.
Public Speaking
Students learn the basics of
communicating to an audience and
engage practical lessons that
address building confidence. They
learn the art of impromptu public
speaking and the delivery of
different types of speeches.
Speech and Debate Students become familiar with
public speaking on high interest
topics in front of their classmates.
They build on these skills by adding
in persuasive techniques as they
practice for a culminating debate
on a controversial topic.
Video Production
Students will learn about the
various stages of pre and post
production, composition,
storyboarding, etc. Students will
capture digital footage and edit the
footage to produce a final project.
Art Sculpture
