Entry Level
STUDIO ART
1 Unit of Credit
This is a basic course for all other art courses in the program. It is the fine arts foundation course for the department. Studio Art concentrates on the creation of art in relation to the elements of art and the principles of design. Projects emphasize technique and skills, while incorporating creative thought processes. Studio Art explores drawing, painting, graphics, and the history of art. Each student keeps a sketchbook to track their progress and allow them to think visually.
DESIGN & DRAWING FOR PRODUCTION
1 Unit of Credit
This is a design foundation course in which students build confidence in their drawing ability from both observation and imagination. Students will learn the language of technical and perspective drawing to describe forms from a variety of problems, which encourages imaginative and practical solutions. Students learn how design affects their daily lives and how it relates to the past, present, and future. Each student keeps a sketchbook to track their progress and allow them to think visually.
ELECTIVES
CERAMICS
1 Unit of Credit
This course is both technical and artistic. Students will learn to work with clay, using a variety of hand-building methods. Students will be working with the pinch method, coil, slab building, additive and subtractive methods, and throwing on the pottery wheel. Students will learn about glazing and various decorative methods used in finishing clay with color silica glazes. Students will make a variety of decorative and utilitarian pieces using techniques used by entry-level ceramic artists as well as college-level and professional techniques. Students will also learn how to fire their work in the kiln. Students interested in three-dimensional work in the art area will be interested in this class.
Prerequisites: Studio Art or Design and Drawing for Production
DIGITAL MEDIA
1 Unit of Credit
This course explores the digital creation of artwork through computer graphics and design. Technical methods and aesthetics will be explored, as well as the use of industry-standard computer programs to manipulate and produce finished printed images. Students explore design concepts, computer illustration, typography, page layout, and digital manipulation. Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop will be utilized.
Level Prerequisites: Studio Art or Design and Drawing for Production
DRAWING & PAINTING
1 Unit of Credit
This course is designed for the serious art student interested in exploring areas in greater depth previously covered in Studio Art. Students in this course will be given experiences in acrylic, pastel, Conte, pencil, watercolor, pen and ink, oil paint, etc. Painting experience in acrylic and oil will be new to the drawing and painting students. Art history will be covered as it relates to various art projects and movements. Students taking Drawing and Painting will improve their skills and be prepared to find areas that they wish to concentrate on in Advanced Drawing & Painting.
Prerequisite: Studio Art or Design and Drawing for Production
ILLUSTRATION
1 Unit of Credit
Illustration is a full-year course for the student who wants to develop their skills in illustration in various color media. The creative process and stylization is stressed as students solve problems in which the only means of communicating an idea is visually. The focus of the course is a hands-on illustration; some computer work will be introduced. Students must be confident in their ability to draw.
Pre-requisites: Studio Art or Design and Drawing for Production
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
1 Unit of Credit
Digital Photography is a full-year course focused on the diverse creative concepts that digital photography has to offer. Technical methods and photographic aesthetics will be explored, as well as the use of the computer to manipulate and produce printed images. Students must have a digital camera to complete the coursework. Homework is an essential component of the course for image acquisition.
Prerequisite: At least two years of art or Junior Status
FASHION ILLUSTRATION
.5 Unit of Credit
The purpose of this class is to build your portfolio and skills as an artist! This class will improve your communication and illustration techniques through the creation of fashion techniques, figure work, accessory invention, and overall design methodology. You will apply your knowledge and understanding of fashion illustration and design in order to solve a variety of artistic and design problems. Some areas you will be working with are the design of clothing, drawing of the figure, use of color theory, understanding of drapery and patterns, and the creation of unique accessories. You will use the basic art skills taught in the base art courses and explore critical thinking and problem-solving skills in fashion illustration. You will think and create as a designer!
Prerequisite: Studio Art or Design and Drawing for Production
INTERIOR DESIGN
.5 Unit of Credit
The purpose of this class is to build your portfolio and skills as an artist! This class will improve your communication and illustration techniques through the creation of different types of interior illustrations including furniture design, perspective drawing, the study of textures and patterns and overall design methodology. You will apply your knowledge and understanding of interior design in order to solve a variety of artistic and design problems. Some areas you will be working with are the design of rooms, furniture design, perspective, use of color theory, understanding of textures and patterns, and the creation of unique interior spaces. You will use the basic art skills taught in the base art courses and explore critical thinking and problem-solving skills in fashion illustration. You will think and create as a designer!
Prerequisite: Studio Art or Design and Drawing for Production
ADVANCED
ADVANCED DRAWING & PAINTING
1 Unit of Credit
Advanced Drawing and Painting is for the serious art student who is looking to create a well-rounded portfolio for college entrance or artistic growth. A variety of techniques and materials will be introduced in order to advance the student’s skills in both drawing, painting, and mixed media. Observational drawing, material studies, figure drawing, portraiture and printmaking are just a few of the subjects which will be covered in this course. The student will be able to tailor many of these projects in order to develop their own unique style and subject matter.
Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting or Illustration
ADVANCED DESIGN AND DRAWING
1 Unit of Credit
This is a second-year concentration of design, which builds on the basic principles and elements of design previously taught. Model Making techniques and technical drawing will be introduced and applied to a series of long-term design problems throughout the year. Connections between design, materials, and technology will be learned as well as an understanding of the process and how design works in both historical context and future vision.
Prerequisites: Studio Art or Design and Drawing for Production
ADVANCED CERAMICS
1 Unit of Credit
Advanced Ceramics is designed to give students an opportunity to use basic skills mastered in Ceramics in a more in-depth and creative way. The first half of the year the students will create complex and challenging projects using hand-building methods. The second half of the year students will spend time learning to use the potters’ wheels to produce ceramic works of art and utilitarian pieces. Students will produce wheel made bowls, mugs, teapots and other useful wares.
Prerequisites: Ceramics
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART (Seniors only)
1 Unit of Credit
This course is taken by seniors wishing to prepare a portfolio for college credit within the curriculum of this class. Students will be preparing new work and reworking previous projects to create the required portfolio in the areas of quality, breadth, and concentration. Students will submit the portfolio to the AP board for review. The portfolio is submitted in May of the senior year. Prerequisite: At least two advanced courses.
Technology
CAD
1 Unit of Credit
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is a full-year course that will expose the student to CAD terminology, history, components, applications, design functions, and careers. The majority of the time spent in this course will consist of using a CAD system to solve graphic problems. Emphasis will be placed on the use of a CAD system for design applications. Students will acquire technical drawing skills and an understanding of industry standards and codes, and recognize the current methods of generating hardcopy. Students will understand how CAD and computer technology are changing the role of drafting and what effects this will have on the design and manufacturing process. This course is available to all students and may be taken as an elective.
DIGITAL ELECTRONICS AND ROBOTICS
1 Unit of Credit
Students will be introduced to basic computer programming. They will write and manipulate simple programs written in C++ language for use with an Arduino open-source microcontroller. The basics of digital electronics will also be covered. Specific topics and concepts that will be covered include Analog, digital input and output, circuit design, voltage, resistance, pulse width modulation, and logic flow. Students will progress from writing simple code to interacting with various sensors that detect a wide range of environmental stimuli. Devices include LEDs, light-dependent resistors, pressure sensors, gas sensors, DC, and servo motors. Interacting with an online community to solve problems encountered in the design and implementation process will be expected. The final project for the course will be to design and construct a simple autonomous robotic device designed to interact and respond to the environment. This course will benefit anyone interested in electrical engineering, computer programming, or generating creative electronic projects. No Prerequisite is required.
INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING
½ Unit of Credit
There is a world-wide and local demand for students to achieve and demonstrate strong math and science skills. Engineering has its roots in science and math and has become one of the highest in-demand professions in today’s job market. Engineering supports a variety of areas that include but are not limited to forensics, acoustical engineering, energy conversion, fluid dynamics, and so much more. The Science of Design is intended to give a broad introduction to the engineering discipline to those with little or no exposure to the subject. It will provide a foundation for further study in engineering. The four key areas of focus will include environment and ecology, digital manufacturing, robotics, and aerospace engineering. In order to illustrate engineering principles, this course will explore the foundations of engineering through a multi-sensory environment that will encompass hands-on problem-solving, case studies, and construction. They will work both individually and in teams to explore a broad range of topics. Projects will include building your own robot, constructing flying vehicles, understanding and utilizing 3-D design and engineer your own greenhouse. Students are expected to have 2 years of high school math and 2 years of high school science as prerequisites to entering the course.
Introduction to Carpentry
½ Unit of Credit
The Career Connections program is designed to help high school teachers introduce students to a career in carpentry. Students learn basic and intermediate carpentry, advanced skills in commercial and residential construction, and the essentials of construction site safety. No prerequisite is required.
Wood Production 1
½ Unit of Credit
Wood Production is an introductory course that provides students with the opportunity to learn the skills and processes associated with various types of woodworking. Through hands-on projects that use woodworking tools and techniques, students develop competence with woodworking safety, project planning and layout, basic project construction, joinery, manufacturing production, and construction systems. Students plan and construct projects aligned with their interests and abilities. No prerequisite is required.
Woods 2: Advanced Wood Production
½ Unit of Credit
This course is designed to further the student’s knowledge and skills of furniture design and construction in the field of woodworking. In addition to developing skills in design and advanced woodworking techniques, students select and construct a major/technically advanced piece and/or group of well-designed, functional furniture pieces. Projects range but are not limited to chairs, tables, desks, dressers, cabinets, and other fine woodworking projects. The class focuses on an occupational information concept, providing students with not only skills and abilities to succeed at entry-level jobs, but the attitudes of safety and managerial habits necessary to be successful in both a classroom and working environment. This course is open to students who have demonstrated the prerequisite of successfully completing Woods 1 and or receive a waiver on an individual basis determined by the instructor. Habits of mind and the critical thinking and woodworking skills necessary to successfully complete advanced woodworking projects. Prerequisite: Completion of Woods 1 and or approval by the instructor.
Aviation
½ Unit of Credit
This ninth-grade course provides the foundation for advanced exploration in flying, aerospace engineering, and unmanned aircraft systems. Students will learn about engineering practices, problem-solving, and the innovations and technological developments that have made today’s aviation and aerospace industries possible.
Students will look at the problem-solving practices and innovative leaps that transformed space exploration from the unimaginable to the common in a single generation. Students will also gain a historical perspective, from the earliest flying machines to various modern aircraft. No prerequisite is required.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (3D Printing, CNC, Laser Technology)
½ Unit of Credit
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) is the study of manufacturing planning, integration, and implementation of automation. The course explores manufacturing history, individual processes, systems, and careers. In addition to technical concepts, the course incorporates finance, ethics, and engineering design. This reflects an integrated approach that leading manufacturers have adopted to improve safety, quality, and efficiency. Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based (APPB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students will analyze, design, and build manufacturing systems. While implementing these designs, students will continually hone their interpersonal skills, creative abilities, and understanding of the design process. Students apply knowledge gained throughout the course in a final open-ended problem to build a manufacturing system. No prerequisite is required.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (3D Printing, CNC, Laser Technology) 2
½ Unit of Credit
Manufacturing provides products we use daily. How can a student become part of it? Manufactured items are part of everyday life, yet few people understand the excitement and innovation that is used to transform ideas into products. This course provides an opportunity for students to recognize many of the exciting career opportunities in the manufacturing industry. This course deepens the skills and knowledge of an engineering student within the context of efficiently creating the products all around us. Students build upon their Computer Aided Design (CAD) experience through the use of Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. CAM transforms a digital design into a program that a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) mill uses to transform a block of raw material into a product designed by a student. Students learn and apply concepts related to integrating robotic systems such as robotic arms into manufacturing systems. Throughout the course students learn about manufacturing processes and systems. This course culminates with a capstone project where students design, build, program, and present a manufacturing system model capable of creating a product. Prerequisite: Computer Integrated Manufacturing 1 and or approval by the instructor