Pathway Course Examples

All students complete two years of "foundation" classes in engineering, design, and computer science over their freshman and sophomore year. In their junior and senior years, students are able to select additional "exploration" classes specific to their passion and post-high school plans.

**The course below are example offerings. The classes offered each year are determined by student interest and staffing.

Engineering Pathway Explorations (Years 3 & 4)

Advanced Engineering Sciences

In this course students experience applied engineering through robotics as an intersection of multiple disciplines, including art, technology, computer science, physical science. Four main themes dominate the projects: electrical systems, control systems, mechanical systems, and computers. Students learn to program microcontrollers and construct circuits with a variety of input and output devices, culminating in the creation of their own robot.

L.E.D Circuitry

L.E.D. Circuitry will focus on developing the skills to build your own L.E.D. lighting. We will tinker with and build low-power lights that are cool to look at and high-power lights that can illuminate a space. You will learn how to design a custom circuit board in Autodesk Eagle and move your design into Fusion 360 to create a fully custom electronic product. We will also learn about the fundamental equations and properties of electronic circuits that guide how they work and use them to design systems with design constraints like power dissipation, current draw, and voltage maximum ratings.

Advanced Industrial Design

In this course we will hone our skills in CAD design, technical drawing, safe and effective tool use, scale modeling and design collaboration and critique. We will be building chairs and small furniture using the design process and starting with shared class projects and working toward group projects designed for a specific client at IDEA

Robotics

In this course, students experience robotics as an intersection of multiple disciplines, including art, technology, computer science, physical science, and engineering. The main units of study include history, ethics, social interactions, AI, programming, control systems, electrical systems, and mechanical systems. Students start by programming virtual robots and then transition to using microcontrollers with a variety of input and output options. The class culminates in a large robot designed to complete unique challenges using both autonomous and teleoperated programming.

Intro to Aerospace

This Aerospace course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the aerospace industry. In the first semester, students will be introduced to various career opportunities and explore the infrastructure, systems, and machines that facilitate flight and space travel. The second semester focuses on the Evolution of the Flying Machine, where students will study the history of different aircraft and spacecraft designs that revolutionized the aviation industry over time. Additionally, students will engage in the engineering design process by creating recreated prototypes of historical designs while studying the contributions of aerospace engineers to the field.

Aeronautical Engineering

This Aeronautical Sciences course is designed to provide students with an extensive understanding of the scientific principles of flight and space travel. The first semester covers various aerospace-related sciences, including aerodynamics, thermodynamics, weather patterns, and aerospace physiology. In the second semester, the focus shifts to Aeronautical Design & Engineering, where students will study the engineering design considerations that enable aircraft and spacecraft to perform their mission(s). Students will learn about different aircraft systems specific to various aerospace missions and use that knowledge to design an aircraft that meets mission requirements.

Aeronautics and Aviation

This course serves as an introduction to the aeronautical and aviation sciences including history, aeronautical physics, engineering, propulsion, aviation law and regulations, operations, safety, and aviation management. Students will also explore the expansive opportunities that exist in the aviation industry and engage in practical applications of aeronautical and aviation principles.

Audio Circuitry

Audio Circuitry will focus on developing the skills and knowledge needed to make your own audio electronics. We will tinker with and build amplifiers, speaker systems, microphones, equalizers and audio effects. You will learn how to design a custom circuit board in Autodesk Eagle and move your design into Fusion 360 to create a fully custom electronic product. We will also learn about the fundamental equations and properties of electronic circuits that guide how they work and use them to design systems within design constraints like power dissipation, current draw, and voltage maximum ratings.

Marine Engineering

How do you make a curved shape out of a flat material? How does a boat float and stay upright? How do you work with scale models to inform a full-scale design? How do you work with adhesives, wood, and composites to make something durable, light, and beautiful? Students will learn Fusion 360, Rhino 3D, hand tools and computer-controlled tools, to design and build boats and other 3D forms. If you take this class, you can expect to build your own boat or work on a team. A class fee will cover the cost of materials if you take home the boat you build if you would like to.

Design Pathway Explorations (Years 3 & 4)

Game Design
Students will explore the process of game design and design and development. We will be learning about the field of game design through the creation of game assets, graphic design, animation, character creation and development of rule systems. Students will explore skills that will provide them with skills to design both digital and analog games. The final project will have the students use the skills they learned in this class to create assets for their own game.

Studio Art
Students will learn and demonstrate an understanding of the visual vocabulary required to create and assess artwork that addresses the common aesthetics of successful design. Critical assessments and revisions are used to ensure comprehension of the material presented. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: Complete a variety of exercises that familiarize them with painting tools and techniques. Compare and contrast approaches to design both in a historical and contemporary context. Solve visual problems using the elements and principles of design in conjunction with and juxtaposition to one another in order to produce a visually impactful product. Invoke the use of value as a means of showing form through the observation and subsequent recording of three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface. Discuss color relationships both in pigment and in light in order to produce an intentional result in their designs. Participate in exercises focused on creating and delivering professional presentations, as well as exercises to facilitate the management, archiving and inventory of portfolios.

Brand Design
Students will explore the history, development, and application of visual brand identity systems across a variety of project-based assignments, including personal brand design, clothing and label design, packaging, web design, and more. We will learn to use industry-standard software like Adobe Illustrator, XD, and Photoshop to create brand guides, visual mockups, digital prototypes, and project portfolios with an emphasis on storytelling and identity.

Content Creation
In this content creation course, students will be introduced to the storytelling process through various digital media tools. Throughout the course, students will learn how to identify and develop a narrative, effectively communicate their message, and engage their audience through different mediums such as video, audio, and graphics. By exploring various content creation tools, students will learn the skills needed to create compelling content for various purposes, including social media, marketing, and entertainment. The course will also cover ethical considerations and best practices for content creation, including copyright law and responsible digital citizenship. By the end of the course, students will have gained valuable skills in digital media production and be able to create meaningful and effective content for a variety of contexts.

Photography
This course is designed for students who are interested in photography and its application in product marketing. The course will cover both traditional and digital photography techniques, including the use of Adobe Photoshop. Students will learn how to capture images that effectively communicate a product’s features and benefits. They will also learn about the role of photography in product marketing campaigns, including how to plan and execute a photo shoot for a product launch. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to explore their creativity and develop their own style as they create images for various product marketing scenarios. By the end of the course, students will have a portfolio of images that demonstrate their proficiency in photography and their understanding of how to use it to promote products.

Green Architecture and Design
This course in Green Architecture and Landscape Design introduces students to the principles and practices of sustainable design, focusing on minimizing environmental impact, enhancing human well-being, and promoting social equity. Students will learn about green building materials, energy-efficient design, and sustainable construction practices, as well as landscape design principles such as native plant use, rainwater harvesting, and soil conservation techniques. Through hands-on projects and assignments, students will develop critical thinking and collaboration skills in the design process. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to evaluate the environmental and social impact of buildings and landscapes, and develop sustainable design solutions that promote equity and human well-being.

Animation
Animation is designed on storyboards. Students learn basic animation theory and mechanics, develop observational and drawing skills and study the fundamental principles of character design, layout and storyboarding in this class.

Music Production
This class is all about using a computer as a musical instrument and making music fast- from EDM anthems to hip-hop beats, and pretty much everything in between. We’ll be learning simple tools to start playing a song on the very first day. With loops and construction kits, we’ll learn the fundamentals of how to build your own song. And once we learn how to choose the right instruments and sounds, how to organize and arrange all the pieces, and how to customize our song with cool effects; we’ll deconstruct each of the pieces and learn how to make them all from scratch! If you like listening to music, if you like using your imagination to be creative, and if you like using technology to express yourself, this is the class for you!

Branding and Marketing
Students will learn and demonstrate effective communication by speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Describe the scope of marketing. Explain the marketing mix. Students will understand target markets and market segmentation; what motivates consumer purchases and different strategies companies use to market their products and services. You can expect to apply the marketing principles you have learned by creating advertising media such as but not limited to websites, posters, and promotional items. We will also develop expectations for workplace-related values, such as a strong work ethic, good working relationships, ability to succeed in culturally diverse environments, effective communication skills, continual skill improvement, and competence in managing one’s career.

Advanced Design Techniques
Product development and design processes and methods, including product specifications, concept development, engineering drawings, design for prototyping, and manufacturing.

Multimedia Production
Multimedia Production is an exciting and contemporary course based on learning and using a digital SLR camera, learning manual exposure settings, basics of photographic composition, lighting techniques, and incorporation of images with a computer. Students will develop a series of projects for print, digital, and presentation. Additionally, students will explore the art of storytelling through the filmmaking process using both digital SLR and pocket cameras (phones). Adobe premiere will be used to bring these stories to life.

Engineering and Design Pathway Explorations (Years 3 & 4)

AP Computer Science A/B
Learn the concepts and tools of computer science as you do a “deep-dive” into the Java programming language. You'll do hands-on work to design, write, and test computer programs that solve problems or accomplish tasks. Aside from programming, you’ll also learn foundational concepts for coding, how to represent real-world objects in the digital world, and examine the legal and ethical implications of computer programming.

Microcontrollers and Coding
Students will take the skills they have learned in the first- and second-year engineering, design, and computer science courses and build on those skills and concepts using electronics, code, computers, and CAD/CAM software and hardware. This class will focus on using the design process to integrate electronics and microprocessors into student projects. Topics include: The design process, client communication, prototyping and mockups, material design, input/output devices, voltage and batteries, soldering, CAD, and CAM.

AP Physics 1
AP physics is an advanced science exploration that focuses on the big ideas typically included in an algebra-based introductory college-level physics sequence and provides students with enduring understandings to support future advanced course work in the sciences. Students will deepen their understanding of the connections between math and physics through inquiry driven project-based units that explore real-world applications of physics. Studies will include kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, and torque and rotational motion.

AP Physics 2
AP Physics is an advanced science exploration that focuses on the big ideas typically included in an algebra-based introductory college-level physics sequence and provides students with enduring understandings to support future advanced course work in the sciences. Students will deepen their understanding of the connections between math and physics through inquiry driven project-based units that explore real-world applications of physics. Studies will include fluids, thermodynamics, electric fields, electric circuits, magnetism, optics, quantum physics and nuclear physics. Note, AP Physics 1 is not required to take this course.

Material Science: Inorganic
In this high school level materials science course, students will learn about the science and engineering behind the development and use of materials in our everyday lives. Through a combination of lectures, laboratory experiments, and hands-on projects, students will explore the properties and behavior of different materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. The course will cover topics such as material synthesis and processing, structure-property relationships, mechanical behavior, electrical and magnetic properties, and biomaterials. Students will also learn about the impact of materials on society and the environment and explore the design and development of new materials for specific applications. The course will emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as students learn to analyze and interpret experimental data, and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. By the end of the course, students will have a deep understanding of the principles of materials science and be well-prepared for further studies in this exciting field.

Material Science: Polymer Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry is an advanced chemistry course that will build on previously learned concepts in chemistry, such as unit conversions, atomic structure, and laboratory skills. This class will cover topics such as the molecular structure of common plastics and the mechanisms of more complex chemical reactions. Laboratory experiments/demos will illustrate many of the topics covered in the course, like creating nylon and synthesizing bioplastics. Students will communicate findings from experiments in written and verbal formats: formal lab reports and poster presentations.

Green Chem
This course focuses on the principles of designing chemical products and processes that are safe, efficient, and sustainable. Students will learn about the 12 principles of green chemistry, including minimizing waste, using renewable resources, and using safer chemicals. Through hands-on laboratory experiments and case studies, students will apply these principles to real-world problems and develop critical thinking skills. They will also learn about the impact of traditional chemical processes on the environment and how green chemistry can reduce that impact. By the end of the course, students will have a deep understanding of green chemistry and its role in creating a more sustainable future. This course is recommended for students interested in pursuing careers in chemistry, environmental science, or engineering.

Sustainable and Environmental Engineering and Design (S.E.E.D)
The Sustainable and Environmental Engineering and Design course is designed for high school students who are interested in exploring how engineering and design can address environmental challenges. This course will introduce students to the fundamental principles of sustainable engineering and design, including the importance of environmental impact assessment, life cycle assessment, and sustainable materials. Students will learn how to design sustainable infrastructure and buildings, as well as explore alternative energy sources and water management techniques. The course will also cover topics such as green chemistry and biomimicry. Through hands-on projects and case studies, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while working on real-world environmental engineering and design challenges. The course will prepare students for further studies and careers in engineering, architecture, and sustainability.

BRIDGE Leadership (By Application Only)
In this innovative course, students will have the unique opportunity to become a "BRIDGE" and serve as leaders in supporting the learning of their peers. BRIDGE students will work collaboratively with their classmates and teachers to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. The curriculum will focus on developing leadership and mentoring skills, communication skills, and strategies for facilitating learning. BRIDGE students will have the opportunity to work closely with their teachers to provide feedback and suggestions for improving classroom instruction. Additionally, they will work with their peers to help them understand and apply classroom concepts, identify areas of difficulty, and develop personalized learning strategies. By the end of the course, BRIDGE students will have gained valuable leadership and mentoring skills, and be better equipped to support their own learning and that of their peers.

Club Beyond
This course is designed for students who are passionate about mentoring and teaching younger students and introducing them to the engineering and design field. Class participants work in teams of two to lead an after-school club of their choosing at a local middle school. Students earn a $500 stipend for the semester with opportunities for future employment with Metro Parks.