Technological, Environmental and Systems Sciences Academy : Technology Pathway

Introduction: Technology is a diverse field with countless areas of specialization, ranging from engineering and physics to computer science and cybersecurity. Technology related fields require a strong background in engineering design, computer programming, robotics and the natural and physical sciences, as well as knowledge of politics, globalization, economics and laws and regulations. The Technology Pathway of the TESS Academy takes into account these different perspectives and allows students to select their electives to fit their specific interests.

Students Who Are Part of This Academy Pathway can count on the following • After taking Chemistry, Physics, Foundations of Technology, Foundations of Computer Science, Computer Programming 1, AP Computer Science Principles and/or AP Computer Science Programming (Java) students will have received a solid background in the fundamentals of science, computer science and engineering • A pathway of classes that is tailored to specific students interests o Students interested in biophysics can take advanced technology electives, AP Physics 2, AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology in addition to their guided research/capstone course. o Students interested in application design can take the Computer Science CTE Program of Study, which includes an internship component. • Opportunities to build and program robots to do specific tasks and to do coding • An understanding of current events related to the fields of engineering, computer science and technology

Student Responsibilities: Students will meet the requirements of their selected pathway, participate in academy club activities, complete a capstone project, and assemble a portfolio of their work that includes a reflection journal. Students will present their capstone projects and reflections to a group of fellow students and academy teachers as well as at the school’s STEM fair.

Teacher responsibilities: Teachers will provide quality instruction and keep students abreast opportunities related to technology, computer science and engineering. Students are also encouraged to participate in related activities such as robotics club, coding club, physics club, and/or other projects related to the student’s specific area of interest.

Possible Student Pathways : General Technology Pathway (Students take 1-2 science/technology/computer science courses and 1 math per year) Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 • AP Physics 1 or AP • Honors Physics or AP Physics 2 Physics 1 • Advanced Design • Honors Physics or AP • AP Physics 2 Applications or Physics 1 (if • AP Computer Science Advanced • AP Computer concurrently enrolled (Java) Technological in Algebra II) Science Principles • Computer Programming 3 Applications • One of the following • AP Computer • Advanced Design • Computer o Foundations of Science (Java) Applications or Advanced Programming 3 Technology • Advanced Design Courses Technological • AP Chemistry o Foundations of Applications or Applications • Astronomy Computer Science Advanced • AP Chemistry • Geoscience o AP Computer Technological • Astronomy Explorations Science Principles Applications • Geoscience Explorations • Forensic Science o Computer • Precalculus Programming 1 • Forensic Science • Internship • Precalculus or Calculus • Calculus w/ w/ Applications or AP Applications or AP Calculus AB Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC Note that some courses require pre/corequisites before taking. Students should check with their counselor for specific course sequences to make sure all graduation requirements and pre/corequisities are taken. Example • Honors Biology • Honors Chemistry • Honors Physics • AP Physics 2 Sequence for • Advanced Design • Advanced Technological • Foundations of • Astronomy Engineering Applications Applications Technology • AP Calculus BC Interest • Precalculus • AP Calculus AB Example • Honors Biology • Honors Chemistry • AP Physics 2 Sequence for • AP Physics 1 • Computer • AP Computer • Computer Science Computer • Computer Programming 3 Programming 1 Science (Java) Internship Science

For more information please contact Karen Kraus at [email protected] and follow the TESS Academy on Twitter at @NHS_TESSAcademy