Schedule and Room Assignments
4th quarter classes begin the week of March 18, 2024.
You can see key dates in our Google calendar or view our Academic Calendar. You can also view the schedule as a grid (below) or as a list.
Quarter beginning March 18, 2024 |
Thursday
All About Astronomy: Mission to Mars*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 2
Every single week there are gripping headlines heralding new developments and discoveries in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, and space exploration: NASA's Artemis II announced its crew. Space X Starship self-destructed. Europe's JUICE will go to Jupiter. James Webb Space Telescope finds oldest proto-galaxies. China, Russia, India, and South Korea are in a new space race to reach the moon. A total solar eclipse will be viewed in 2024. These are exciting fields to follow, and this is a thrilling time to learn about space science in Compass's "All About Astronomy" series. Fourth quarter, students will mimic NASA in planning a mission to and habitat on Mars. The class will begin by looking at past Mars explorations. They will evaluate what is known about the red planet from fly-bys, orbiters, landers, and rovers. They will review what are the known challenges of a journey to Mars and anticipated conditions on the surface. The class will divide up and work in teams to design a mission to Mars and temporary Martian base camp. Students will brainstorm about what is needed to sustain and shelter the astronauts, power their space craft, what key scientific studies should be made, and how to return the crew and their findings to Earth. They will look at the technologies available to select their rocket (or design an all-new one), crew cabin, scientific equipment, lander, Mars vehicle, shelter, and spacesuits. Teams will be given constraints such as budget, payload, fuel, power consumption, and scientific value of their planned Martian activities. They will have to consider all of the challenges of returning to Earth. What will they be able to bring back from Mars? Topics in this series include: Classical & Current Star-Gazing (Quarter 1); Mission to the Moon (Quarter 2); Modern & Space-Based Searches (Quarter 3); and Mission to Mars (Quarter 4)
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
5th-6th
Dynamic Dioramas: Biome Builders- Grasslands (The Savanna) Thurs*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thursday
Open Spots: 0
The best way to understand a biome is to build (a model) one! A biome is a large zone on Earth characterized by its climate, soil, vegetation, and organisms with special adaptations for the unique environment. In modeling biomes, students will learn how they are different than similar ecological concepts like habitats and ecosystems. Students will discover how human activities, such as deforestation and habitat destruction, are transforming biomes. In this science-themed diorama class, students will be exposed to concepts such as trophic levels, the water cycle, biological competition, geographic isolation, convergent evolution, species diversification, natural vs unnatural climate change, food webs, habitat loss, and ecological niches, while they are working on their models. Grassland biomes are found on every continent (except Antarctica) and are flat, open regions dominated by grass with scattered trees and shrubs, and a warm, dry climate. Tropical grasslands, known as savannas, cover half the continent of Africa as well as areas of Australia, India, and South America. Compass ecologists will focus on African savannas where large, diverse animals such as elephants, wildebeest, warthogs, zebras, rhinos, gazelles, hyenas, cheetahs, lions, leopards, ostrich, and other birds and small mammals, graze and hunt in the expansive grasslands. Each student will create an individual diorama. Students will craft and hand-shape their scene on a 10 x 14 inch foam board using artistic, model-making techniques. They will customize their dioramas with landforms, waterways, plant life, and paint. Once individual projects are constructed, students will populate them with miniature figures and combine their dioramas alongside those of their classmates to create a larger terrain. Students will then compete in a zoology-based survival strategy game. Each student will create one board and receive a set of miniatures to take home with them. Course documents such as maps, game rules and all other instructional media will be available via a Google Drive link which will be emailed to parents. There is a $25.00 materials fee payable to the instructor on the first day of class. Topics in this series include: Tropics (The Rainforest)- Quarter 1; Tundra (The Arctic)- Quarter 2; Arid (The Desert)- Quarter 3; and Grasslands (The Savanna)- Quarter 4.
2:00 pm-2:55 pm
2nd-4th
Electricity is Elementary! Super Circuits*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Kids are curious about electricity- the magic that powers the toys, games, and electronics they love. In this class, kids will experiment with aspects of electricity- conductors, batteries, and circuits- to take the mystery out of electricity and inspire future engineers. Continue to explore electrical engineering! The class will begin with a brief introduction to Snap Circuits using lights, fan motors, and sound speakers. Next, the class will be introduced to a variety of detectors that we will build into alarms. Students will configure a momentary alarm, pencil alarm, water alarm, and an intruder alarm. On the final day of class, each student will design, build, and share their own, unique alarm project. Topics in this Series: Battery Blast (Quarter 1); Cool Conductors (Quarter 2); Simple Circuits (Quarter 3); and Super Circuits (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $10.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
10:00 am-10:55 am
1st-2nd
Experimenting with Electricity: Super Circuits*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
Students will learn how to think like electrical engineers as they learn about conductors, batteries, and circuits to understand how electricity powers the things they use every day.
Continue to explore electrical engineering! The class will begin with a brief introduction to Snap Circuits using lights, fan motors, and sound speakers. Next, the class will be introduced to a variety of detectors that we will build into alarms. Students will configure a momentary alarm, pencil alarm, water alarm, and an intruder alarm. On the final day of class, each student will design, build, and share their own, unique alarm project.
Topics in this Series: Battery Blast (Quarter 1); Cool Conductors (Quarter 2); Simple Circuits (Quarter 3); and Super Circuits (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $10.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
11:00 am-11:55 am
3rd-4th
Kids' Biochemistry Lab: Discover DNA*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Kids can learn some basics of biochemistry when they can touch it and test it! Kids will delve into the structure and function of nucleic acids. They will use 3D modeling kits to construct DNA and RNA. Students will understand the higher, ordered structure of DNA into chromosomes. They will touch on mendelian genetics and inheritance and apply their knowledge as 'Dragon Breeders' during a lab exercise. Kids will explore the mechanics of gene expression through transcription and translation using manipulatives. Finally, students will extract DNA from samples of their choosing and conclude with discussions of tissue-specific gene expression and transgenics. Topics in this Series: Kids' Chemistry Lab: Atoms & Molecules (Quarter 1); Kids' Chemistry Lab: Properties of Matter (Quarter 2); Kids' BioChemistry Lab: Manipulating Molecules (Quarter 3); and Kids' BioChemistry Lab: Discovering DNA (Quarter 4). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $15.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
5th-6th
Decoding DNA and Genetics*
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 1
How genetically similar are an orangutan and a gorilla? How can two siblings have different eye color? How tall will you grow? Answers to these questions and thousands more can be found in a study of genetics and the instruction-carrying molecules, DNA. In this class, students will be introduced to the structure and function of DNA, genes and chromosomes. They will gain an understanding of how organisms generate everything they are from this simple ‘four letter’ code. How are genes turned ON and OFF, and what does this mean with respect to cancer? How do we genetically modify food (GMO), and is it safe? Students will take a historical journey to learn about the contributions of Watson, Crick, Collins and Franklin in the discovery of the structure of DNA. We will also learn about Mendel’s ground-breaking research in heredity and how to predict the inheritance of traits. We will learn about different kinds of inheritance (codominance, dominance, incomplete dominance) and about genetically inherited diseases. Students will also examine the family tree of European royalty and trace Hemophilia back to the first Royal who had the genetic mutation. We will also discuss other diseases and learn how karyotyping and DNA sequencing are used as diagnostic tools. Our labs will include: putting DNA samples into an agarose gel and separating fragments using a gel electrophoresis apparatus, building a segment of DNA using molecular model kits, analyzing offspring to learn about the genetics of their predecessors and using punnett squares, karyotyping to find chromosomal abnormalities, ordering the stages of cell division using microscopy and flash cards Topics in this Series: BioChemistry Basics (Semester 1), Decoding DNA and Genetics (semester 2). Lab/Supply Fee: A class fee of $30.00 is due payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
7th-8th
(Semester Long)
Digital Workshop: Minecraft Modders (Intro or Continuing)*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
In Digital Workshop, students will become immersed in the digital worlds of Minecraft that they will learn to navigate and transform through coding! What can you do if your vision of a unique Minecraft world cannot be built with the standard blocks and virtual raw materials? You need to change it yourself! Students will create mods (modifications) to the classic game in order to create a wide variety of new elements, custom structures, cool new effects, upgraded mechanics, and improved gameplay to enhance their entire Minecraft experience. Students use their imaginations to make Minecraft do what they want it to do- through the power of modding. Minecraft projects created in this class will run on PC/laptop (i.e. Java) versions of Minecraft and will not be compatible with tablet, phone, or console versions of Minecraft. Digital Workshop is a computer lab environment in which students work through the Black Rocket curriculum under the direction of computer science coaches. The lab environment allows students to enroll at any quarter, fosters brand new coders, and encourages those with prior coding experience. In the "Intro" level of a course (i.e., Part 1), students will work through the fundamentals of a new digital skill. In the "Continuing" level (i.e., Part 2), students who continue from "Intro" will develop new skills and will design and code an individual project. New students who enroll in "Intro" will begin with the introductory lessons. In order to differentiate instruction between new and continuing students, coaches work with small pull-out groups, pairs, or individuals to provide additional support as needed. The class tuition includes a student technology fee that covers the use of instructor-provided classroom laptops loaded with the required software, applications, and licenses. At the end of the class, students will receive access to Black Rocket's interactive learning platform to continue their coding journey at home. Topics in this Series: ROBLOX Makers (Quarters 1, 2); Minecraft Modders (Quarters 3, 4).
10:00 am-10:55 am
3rd-4th
Digital Lab: Minecraft Redstone Engineers (Intro or Continuing)*
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 6
In Digital Lab, students will become immersed in the digital worlds of Minecraft that they will learn to manipulate through coding the Redstone resource that can be transformed into electricity, circuits, and complex machines. Go beyond simply playing Minecraft to become a Redstone engineer. In the world of Minecraft, Redstone is the resource that powers, animates, and automates elements. Students will learn how to use command and structure coding blocks to incorporate Redstone into their builds to take Minecraft to the next level. Through creating a series of mini-games in an amusement park, students will learn the fundamentals for building with Redstone to create more complex and interactive worlds. Minecraft projects created in this class will run on PC/laptop (i.e. Java) versions of Minecraft and will not be compatible with tablet, phone, or console versions of Minecraft. Digital Lab is a computer lab environment in which students work through the Black Rocket curriculum under the direction of computer science coaches. The lab environment allows students to enroll at any quarter, fosters brand new coders, and encourages those with prior coding experience. In the "Intro" level of a course (i.e., Part 1), students will work through the fundamentals of a new digital skill. In the "Continuing" level (i.e., Part 2), students who continue from "Intro" will develop new skills and will design and code an individual project. New students who enroll in "Intro" will begin with the introductory lessons. In order to differentiate instruction between new and continuing students, coaches work with small pull-out groups, pairs, or individuals to provide additional support as needed. The class tuition includes a student technology fee that covers the use of instructor-provided classroom laptops loaded with the required software, applications, and licenses. At the end of the class, students will receive access to Black Rocket's interactive learning platform to continue their coding journey at home. Topics in this Series: ROBLOX Coders (Quarters 1, 2); Minecraft Redstone Engineers (Quarters 3, 4).
11:00 am-11:55 am
5th-6th
Digital Studio: Intro to Coding for Mobile App Development*
Quarter(s): 3,4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 0
Middle schoolers embrace technology and easily navigate digital sources like apps, webpages, and online video platforms. In Digital Studio, they will transform from users of these tools to the designer and coders of their own content. Learn what goes in to coding a webpage (Semester 1) and coding a mobile app (Semester 2). Students start with the Swift programming language which is used for iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad. Later students move into programming responsive web design to create hybrid apps for both desktop and mobile devices using Web App Maker. In all app programming languages, students practice the iterative design process to define a problem, generate ideas, build, test, and improve their app. Digital Studio is a computer lab environment in which students work through the Black Rocket curriculum under the direction of computer science coaches. The lab environment allows students to enroll at any quarter, fosters brand new coders, and encourages those with prior coding experience. In the "Intro" level of a course (i.e., Part 1), students will work through the fundamentals of a new digital skill. In the "Continuing" level (i.e., Part 2), students who continue from "Intro" will develop new skills and will design and code an individual project. New students who enroll in "Intro" will begin with the introductory lessons. In order to differentiate instruction between new and continuing students, coaches work with small pull-out groups, pairs, or individuals to provide additional support as needed. The class tuition includes a student technology fee that covers the use of instructor-provided classroom laptops loaded with the required software, applications, and licenses. At the end of the class, students will receive access to Black Rocket's interactive learning platform to continue their coding journey at home. Topics in this Series: Intro to Coding for Website Design (Semester 1) and Intro to Coding for Mobile App Development (Semester 2)
12:00 pm-12:55 pm
7th-8th
(Semester Long)
Digital Clubhouse: Make Your First 3D Video Game (Intro or ...
Quarter(s): 4
Day(s): Thu
Open Spots: 2
In Digital Clubhouse, students will begin exploring the magic of game design while developing fluency in essential computer skills in a fun, interactive application. Our youngest designers will continue to explore computer science by developing a 3D game in an imaginative world using Atmosphir, a game creation tool. They will learn beginner event scripting, level design, controlling the flow of gameplay and storytelling. At this level, students should be able to read and recognize words and short phrases that will be in the drag-and-drop block coding. Non-readers should wait another year and not register for this level. Digital Clubhouse is a computer lab environment in which students work through the Black Rocket curriculum under the direction of computer science coaches. The lab environment allows students to enroll at any quarter, fosters brand new coders, and encourages those with prior coding experience. In the "Intro" level of a course (i.e., Part 1), students will work through the fundamentals of a new digital skill. In the "Continuing" level (i.e., Part 2), students who continue from "Intro" will develop new skills and will design and code an individual project. New students who enroll in "Intro" will begin with the introductory lessons. In order to differentiate instruction between new and continuing students, coaches work with small pull-out groups, pairs, or individuals to provide additional support as needed. The class tuition includes a student technology fee that covers the use of instructor-provided classroom laptops loaded with the required software, applications, and licenses. At the end of the class, students will receive access to Black Rocket's interactive learning platform to continue their coding journey at home. Topics in this Series: Young Coders (Quarters 1, 2); Make Your First 3D Video Game (Quarters 3, 4).
1:00 pm-1:55 pm
1st-2nd
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