GRADE 8 Course Description
CHOICE ELECTIVES FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES [ FCS ] COURSES
Family and Consumer Sciences 8
[ elective , every other day ] Major Outcomes :
• Focus on food preparation techniques and kitchen safety while in a culinary lab .
• Explore nutrition and identify the six essential nutrients .
• Enhance sewing skills .
• Strengthen teamwork and leadership skills . Projects / Activities : Prepare food using recipes , practice kitchen safety and sanitation , examine nutritional habits that impact health and wellness and complete a sewing project . Instructional Focus : Hands-on activities to enhance learning , communication , and teamwork .
HEALTH COURSES
Health / Wellness 8
[ elective , every other day ] Major Outcomes :
• Interpersonal Communication ( Healthy Relationships )
• Goal Setting ( Interrelationships of the Health Triangle )
• Identifying Influences ( Nutrition and Chemical Health )
• Accessing Professional Health Services ( Mental / Emotional Health )
• Accessing Information ( Analyzing Validity of Health Resources )
• Self Management ( Stress Management and First Aid )
• Advocacy ( Non Communicable Disease )
• Students will have an opportunity to become First Aid / CPR Certified .
Instructional Focus : Curriculum is presented in a variety of methods including individual practice , gamified learning , small and large group discussions , guest presentations , real life simulations , and hands-on projects .
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION COURSES
Engineering : Aerospace and Design
[ elective , every other day ] Major Outcomes :
• Experience a scientific environment involving design , creativity , and team problem solving .
• Understand the engineering process from concept to production .
• Explore how science has affected technology throughout history by looking at concepts in physics .
• Explore the science behind aeronautics and use software to experience space travel .
Projects / Activities : Hands-on and design experiences are integrated throughout the course . Some activities include designing and creating a chain reaction contraption ( Rube Goldberg ), designing a medical device , and aircraft exploration . Students will be introduced to various software throughout the course such as 3D-CAD and online resources to provide enriched learning experiences . Instructional Focus : This class is part of a nationally recognized pre-engineering program called Project Lead the Way Gateway To Technology . This course includes the PLTW units “ Flight and Space ” and “ Design and Modeling .” The program goal is to develop more engineers , including project based units in design , modeling , flight , and space . This course emphasizes high levels of academic rigor and computer literacy . Coursework includes both individual and collaborative activities that must be completed as an integral part of this course . Authentic , real-world problem solving skills are emphasized throughout the class . This is an academically challenging course and is best suited for a motivated , collaborative learner .
Engineering : Architecture and Robotics
[ elective , every other day ] Prerequisite / Selection Process : Engineering : Aerospace and Design strongly encouraged Intended Audience : Grade 8 Major Outcomes :
• Experience a scientific environment involving design , creativity , and team problem solving .
• Learn about mechanical systems , energy transfer , machine automation , and computer control systems .
• Investigate architectural plans , construction styles , alternative materials and processes , dimensioning , measuring and architectural sustainability .
Projects / Activities : Students are introduced to the influence of automation and robotics in our world and use a robust robotics platform to design , build and program a solution to solve an existing problem . Additional hands-on student experiences are integrated throughout the course , including a 3D architectural software program to create an environmentallyfriendly home using shipping containers . Instructional Focus : This course emphasizes high levels of academic rigor and computer literacy . Homework is an integral part of this course and students must be independently motivated to complete it in a timely manner . This class combines key pre-engineering content areas through a nationally recognized program called Project Lead the Way : Gateway . This course includes the PLTW units “ Green Architecture ” and “ Automation and Robotics .” The goal of the program is to develop more American engineers through authentic real-world problem solving . This is an academically challenging pre-engineering course and is best suited for a motivated , collaborative learner .
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