Scheduling

English 9th/10th  -- Students will be auto enrolled for this course

This is an integrated course over two years that includes 9th/10th teaching project- based topics related to our place here in Pt. Defiance Park and Environmental Writing/Poetry and Technical Writing.

CitHS English 11th/12th

College in the HS 101 and 102 Students will study select literature texts, the writing process and non-fiction. Writing for a varied audience and reading with a variety of purposes will be a focus. 11th /12th grade English fulfills a graduation requirement and should be registered for both fall and spring semesters. This course is offered as a College in the High School course for ENG101 and ENG102 credit over two years.

AP Language 11th/12th

Pre-req: 10th grade English

Description: This course satisfies the English core graduation requirement and is an introductory college-level composition course. Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetorical arguments through reading, analyzing, and writing texts as they explore topics like rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.

Creative Writing   (1 Semester or Year-Long)

10th, 11th, 12th

Description: This course provides the student with opportunities to write in a variety of genres, such as short story, poetry, drama, essays, descriptive writing, screen play and children’s literature related to our place here in the Pt. Defiance Park. Students will study writing samples and produce their own creative works.

Algebra First Year One  -- Students will be auto enrolled for this course

9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grade

Description: Algebra Year One students study linear and quadratic patterns.

Algebra Second Year Two  -- Students will be auto enrolled for this course

9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grade, Pre-requisites: passing grade in Algebra Year One

Description: In Algebra Year Two. Students work with a variety of functions, including higher degree polynomials, logarithms, sine, and cosine. Investigation of different function families continues to build proficiency and the ability to identify how function shifts generalize.

Geometry  -- Students will be auto enrolled for this course

9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grade, Pre-requisites: passing grades in Algebra Year One

Description: In Geometry students analyze shapes using both the rules of algebra and rigid motion transformations.

Statistics 1 (semester)

11th, 12th grade, Pre-requisites: passing grades in Algebra Year One Algebra Year Two, and Geometry

Description: In this course students participate in a large survey created and completed by students in the class. Statistical concepts, like survey sampling methods and confidence intervals, are learned as the survey unfolds.

Financial Literacy (semester)

11th, 12th grade, Pre-requisites: passing grades in Algebra Year One Algebra Year Two and Geometry

Description: Financial Literacy investigates a variety of financial decisions, such as balancing a budget and paying for college, through research and projects driven by a student’s own interests.

Pre-Calculus (full year)

10th, 11th, 12th grade, Pre-requisites: C- or higher in Algebra Year One Algebra Year Two, and Geometry.

Description: In Pre-calculus, students analyze a variety of functions and continue to build their proficiency working with increasingly complex models and equations. Pre-Calculus also includes learning about common trigonometric ratios and identities. It is recommended that students taking Pre-Calculus plan to continue their studies with Calculus, though not necessary.

Calculus 1/2 (CITHS)

10th, 11th, 12th grade, Pre-requisites: C- or higher in Pre-Calculus.

In Calculus 1 students learn how to find derivatives, solve them, and some of their uses in real-world scenarios. An introduction to limits and their importance in proving Calculus concepts is also explored. In Calculus 2 students learn about integration, both how to solve integrals and some of their uses in real-world scenarios. Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 are separate college courses available for CITHS credit through TCC. Calculus 1 is MATH& 151 and Calculus 2 is MATH& 152. Concurrent enrollment in Physics provides more examples of Calculus in applied contexts.

AP Calculus BC

11th, 12th grade, Pre-requisites: C- or higher in Calculus 1 and 2 or concurrent enrollment in Calculus 1/2

In AP Calculus BC students extend topics studied in Calculus 1/2 and introduces students to Taylor polynomials, parametric motion, differential equations, and polar coordinates. Concurrent enrollment in Physics provides more examples of Calculus in applied contexts.

Zoo Conservation

10th, 11th & 12th grade, Pre-requisites: APES

Description: Students will use the animals of the zoo to explore conservation issues in our own backyard and around the world. In this class, students will explore individual animals in the zoo, look at how humans are impacting those organisms around the world, and what organizations, including PDZA, are doing to conserve the biodiversity of planet earth.

Cell Biology

11th & 12th grade, Pre-requisites: APES and Chem

Description: In this course we will delve into the organelles, structures, systems, and molecules that make cells work. Prokaryotic (bacterial) and eukaryotic (both animal and plant) cells will be covered with a greater focus on eukaryotic systems. This is a challenging course that is taught at an early undergraduate level. Coursework consists of quizzes, exams, and extended reading assignments.

Molecular Biology

11th & 12th grade, Pre-requisite: APES and Chemistry

Description: Cell Biology recommended. This course examines the molecular structures of DNA that affect the functions and regulation of genes. The framework of the course will be the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology (DNA —> RNA —> protein), and some genetics, bioethics, and synthetic biology will be covered. This is a challenging course that is taught at an early undergraduate level. Coursework consists of quizzes, exams, and extended reading assignments

AP Biology

Pre-requisites: APES and Chemistry

Description: In this fast paced class, students will learn four major topics: cells, genetics, ecology, and evolution. Each semester we use scientific principles to explore the fundamentals of life from the very basic unit of the cell, to how it is controlled through genetics, how organisms fit into the world, and how evolutionary pressures affect the world in which we live. Students will do several full scientific experiments each semester to better understand those relationships and to gather a full understanding of biology at the college level.

Marine Biology

11th, 12th grade, Pre-requisites: APES and Chemistry

Description: A year-long course that will explore the last frontier on Earth - the ocean environment that covers over 70% of our planet. Concepts and processes in Oceanography, Marine Biology and Ecology, Marine Chemistry and Marine Aquaculture will be addressed. Plan to be outside on a regular basis. 

Advanced Outdoor Education/Field Studies

10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade,  Prerequisites: APES

In Advanced Outdoor Ed students will earn physical education credit by hiking the trails of Point Defiance Park every class period. The class may also engage in ecological sampling and plant identification, work projects to support Metro Parks, and independent projects. Be prepared to be outside in all weather conditions.

Fisheries Management

10th, 11th & 12th grade, Pre-requisites: APES

Description: The Chinook Orca Recovery Education Program works with the Puyallup Tribe to raise Chinook fry to feed the starving J Pod of Orcas or Southern Resident Killer Whale in accordance with the governor’s task force. Close work with Chief Leschi Schools and their biology classes and the Puyallup Tribe Fisheries.

Applications of Chemistry

11th & 12th grade, Pre-requisites: Passing grade in Intro Chemistry.

Description: This course investigates chemistry as a means to solving real-world problems. You’ll examine alternative fuels, the biochemistry of food, and pharmaceuticals using real-life scenarios simulated in the classroom. You’ll conduct calorimetric experiments, prepare biodiesel while investigating alternative fuels, prepare aspirin while learning the healing and toxic properties of pharmaceuticals, and leave the course prepared to take on an internship in a Chemistry related field.

Molecular Biotechnology

11th & 12th grade, Pre-requisites: APES & Chemistry.

Description: This practicum-style course covers research techniques used commonly in molecular biology laboratories. Topics include experimental design, keeping a proper lab notebook, making solutions, isolation and manipulation of DNA, microbiology techniques, breeding and handling of fruit flies, statistics, careers in biotechnology, bioethics, and synthetic biology.

Intro to Anatomy & Physiology

11th &12th grade, Pre-requisites: APES and Chemistry

Description: Yearlong course dealing with the structure and function of the human body and mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis within it. Includes the study of cells, tissues, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, digestive, and nervous systems. Identification of anatomical structures will occur in the laboratory, with some animal dissection required. Some vertebrate anatomy will also be covered. Will be taught in cooperation with TCC. College credits are available with payment.

Advanced Anatomy & Physiology

11th &12th grade, Pre-requisites: Intro to Anatomy & Physiology and Chemistry

Description: In this class, we will explore what animals, including humans, are made of and how they work. We will dive into the similarities and differences of invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, and discover the unique ways in which different species survive and thrive in their own environments. Using different animal models, we will uncover the evolutionary connection between species while learning the intricacies of how parts of the body work. Our goal is to shed light on the structure and function of the animal body while understanding how and why that structure and function exists in the animal kingdom.

Neuropsychology

11th & 12th grade, Pre-requisites: APES and Chemistry

Description: This course will introduce you to the foundations of two diverse scientific fields: neuroscience and psychology. We will study the brain at different scales: from the microscopic level of single neurons to analysis of behavior stemming from higher brain functions. Through the lens of psychology, we will study human behavior and the human experience make sense of their environment, and how patterns of activity in the individual cells that make up the nervous system give rise to our ability to move, develop, think, feel, and learn. Through the lens of psychology, we will study human behavior and the human experience.

Psychology

Description: This class is an elective for upperclassmen (and a few sophomores!) who would like to learn more about the study of the mind and human behavior. We will be examining topics such as perception, learning, mental health and mental illness, development, personality, abnormal psychology, and many other topics. I will be incorporating gender studies and people of color into the curriculum as well as in-class studies and out-of-class projects.

I am open to students’ interests informing the curriculum and have asked that they advocate for themselves by putting forward topics they would like to see us cover. If we cannot get to all in a one-semester, twice/week class there will be options for independent learning…and/or, naturally, pursuing further study beyond high school.

As many of our students are interested in creativity and the arts, I selected and had approved the text, Psychology: The Comic Book Introduction by Grady Klein and Danny Oppenheimer, Ph. D. (2018). It is an extremely visual text, with an engaging sense of humor, but it does not go into enough detail in certain areas and will be supplemented by other texts, that will include articles from magazines, newspapers, and journals as well as video, music, artwork, and more.

Applied Robotics/Physics

Exploring Technologies (1 Semester)

Pre-requisites: None

Description: Exploring Technologies provides hands-on projects related to computer science, technology, manufacturing, science, and engineering careers. Students will discover how technology is used in various career fields to improve our world.

Underwater ROV

Pre-requisites: None

Description: Dive deeper into the world of robotics. Research, build and design a remote operated vehicle that you can pilot under water. Advanced students will have an opportunity to participate in robotic competitions through the MATE program.

Physics

AP Physics 2

11th, 12th grade, Pre-requisites: C- or better in Intro Physic , passing grade in Algebra 1-2, Geometry 1-2.

Description:  This year-long course is open to all juniors and seniors who have passed Intro Physics with a C- or better. The class 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. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop critical thinking and reasoning skills, as defined by the AP Science Practices. Topics of study will include fluids; thermodynamics; electric force, field and potential; electric circuits; magnetism and electromagnetic induction; geometric and physical optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics.

Chemistry

Applications of Chemistry

11th & 12th grade, Pre-requisites: Passing grade in Intro Chemistry.

Description: This course investigates chemistry as a means to solving real-world problems. You’ll examine alternative fuels, the biochemistry of food, and pharmaceuticals using real-life scenarios simulated in the classroom. You’ll conduct calorimetric experiments, prepare biodiesel while investigating alternative fuels, prepare aspirin while learning the healing and toxic properties of pharmaceuticals, and leave the course prepared to take on an internship in a Chemistry related field.

Computer Science

Exploring Computer Science (1 Semester)

9th and 10th grade, Pre-requisites: None

Description: An introductory computer science course designed to engage students in computational thinking and practice. Students will complete inquiry-based lessons while using a variety of tools and platforms. Students will create projects like designing a website, coding a game, designing a phone app and others. No prior computer science knowledge is needed.

AP Computer Science Principles (Year-Long)

10th, 11th & 12th grade  Pre-requisites: Prior coding experience  for 1 semester suggested.

Description: This course covers a broad range of foundational topics such as programming, algorithms, the Internet, big data, digital privacy and security, and the societal impacts of computing. Computer Science Principles (CSP) is a full-year, rigorous, course that introduces high school students to the foundations of modern computing. The course covers a broad range of foundational topics such as programming, algorithms, the Internet, big data, digital privacy and security, and the societal impacts of computing

CSE 142 - AP Computer Science A (Year-Long)

11th & 12th grade Pre-requisites: Successful in Computer Science Principles.

Description: AP Computer Science A is a fast-paced course equivalent to a college introductory programming class. Students will learn about the exciting kinds of problems tackled by computer science while exploring the field’s most important tool—programming. The course will be anchored around projects that will explore a broad range of fields that use programming to solve problems. Through these projects, students will study common, reusable algorithms and learn to analyze them for correctness and speed. The course will cover fundamentals of programming syntax and methodology using the Java programming language.

Advance Science

Computational Differential Equations (1 Semester)

11th, 12th grade, Pre-requisites: passing grade in Intro Physics.

Description: Implement advance computing and software to model the world around us.  Through this class you apply topics in physics, computing, data manipulation and stats.  This class will give you an in-site into industrial applications of your knowledge.

Astronomy (1 Semester)

11th, 12th grade, Pre-requisites: passing grade in Intro Physics.

Description: This course will explore our current understanding of the universe around us, answering such questions as “how big is the universe?”, how old is the universe and how can we possibly know anything about that stuff way out there. Our investigations will include topics such as age of the universe, the big bang theory, the life cycle of stars, and hypothesis about the future of the universe.

Geology (1 Semester)

Pre-requisites: C- or better in Intro Chemistry and Intro Physics.

Description: This course in physical geology will begin with an examination of the forces involved in the formation of the Earth. This includes igneous and volcanic processes, sedimentation, and weathering. Next, we will explore the processes currently shaping the Earth's crust, including folds, faults, earthquakes, and plate tectonics. Lastly, we'll delve into what actions sculpt the Earth's surface, from streams and rivers, to glaciers and wind. In class study and controlled labs will be balanced with trips out into the park to explore visible evidence of our region's past.