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New classes planned for 2012-2013 school year

Brianna Glase, Managing Editor

March 15, 2012

Four new courses are being introduced to the curriculum for the 2012-2013 school year, in accordance with the new STEM program.

The Math Department plans to revive two semester length courses: Math Analysis and Statistics. According to Math Department Chair Susan Gradishar, Math Analysis is both a continuation of Trigonometry and an introduction to Calculus. “Now students don’t have to take Calculus senior year to get some experience with it,” she said.

According to Gradishar, the aim of reinstating Statistics is so it may be expanded into AP Statistics in the future. “It’s an important course in college, regardless of what field a student goes into. We’re also trying to include it in the electives offered for the STEM program,” Gradishar said.

Another course being introduced as part of the STEM program is Robotics. Students in this class will learn a combination of programming and the physics and science involved in robotics, according to Science Department Chair Rebecca Jansing-Kaestner. “I hope [the students] gain an appreciation for robotics, and mostly the programming. There’s a high demand for programmers out there,” she said.

Also related to the STEM program is the Introduction to Architecture course that will be added to the Fine Arts Department next year. According to Fine Arts Department Chair Bruno Baran, they have been talking about starting an architecture course for about two and a half years. “It coincides with the [Computer-Aided Design], which links art with STEM. People don’t realize how important art is in science,” he said.

This course will be taught by practicing architect Lisa Collins. It will focus on teaching students basic architecture terminology, history, and will also incorporate some preliminary designing. “I want to expose the students to the field of architecture, and the diversity it has to offer…Whether they forge ahead into careers as architects, or move in other directions, I hope that they leave with a better appreciation for the built environment in which they live,” Collins said.

Brianna Glase is a Managing Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.