Courses for Rising 8th Graders
Art
Instructor: Michelle Pauline Bradshaw
Grades: 8-12
Fall Semester: June 10th to June 28th, 2024
Days & Times: Daily, 8:00 am to 12:20 pm
Art Fundamentals is a level one art elective, which lasts one year and is open to all students. It is designed to provide a beginning experience in art, primarily, but not exclusively two-dimensional. Art for the beginners, covering the elements and principles of art/design. For enrichment only.
Art
Instructor: Michelle Pauline Bradshaw
Grades: 8-12
Spring Semester: July 1st to July 19th, 2024
Days & Times: Daily, 8:00 am to 12:20 pm
Art Fundamentals is a level one art elective, which lasts one year and is open to all students. It is designed to provide a beginning experience in art, primarily, but not exclusively two-dimensional. Art for the beginners, covering the elements and principles of art/design. For enrichment only.
Introduction to Media Arts
Instructor: Mr Basulto
Grades: 8-12
Fall Semester: June 10th-June 28th, 2024
Days & Times: Daily, 8:00 am to 12:20 pm
Are you ready to start your journey as a content creator? This class will teach you the basics of creating short-form video content with mobile devices. Students learn how to properly use their own devices such as an iPhone or iPad to create professional-looking videos for their YouTube channels, class presentations, and much more. You will learn the top 19 shoots that make your movies look like a Hollywood blockbuster, how to use accessories to make filming easier and more like the pros, and how to capture great sound. We also discuss social media and digital literacy to help you understand the importance of being an upright digital citizen. Students should bring their own iPhones and iPads. Eighth grade for enrichment only.
Introduction to Graphic Design
Instructor: Robbin Rae McCulloch
Grades: 8-12
Spring Semester: July 1st to July 19th, 2024
Days & Times: Daily, 8:00 am to 12:20 pm
This class introduces students to the software and technologies used to create much of what constitutes two-dimensional design in the world around us: websites, marketing and branding (logos), on-screen motion graphics in films and on TV, promotional materials, posters, packaging and the like. This course is project-oriented. Students will learn the basic features of the two primary graphics applications: Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Students will investigate these tools by way of research, exercises, projects and presentations that engage the fundamental vocabulary of art and design. By way of hands-on practice, students will learn the basics of inputting, creating and outputting digital media. Eighth grade for enrichment only.
Oral Interpretation (Debate)
Instructor: Matt Slimp
Grades: 8-12
Fall Semester: June 10th to June 28th, 2024
Days & Times: Daily, 8:00 am to 12:20 pm
Oral Interpretation is a 4 hour, three week course which is a "beginner" guide to competitive argumentation. Students learn how to analyze a resolution, engage in critical thinking, prepare debate cases, learn the art of cross-examination, and more, in preparation for competition on the SMHS Debate Team. Eighth grade for enrichment only.
Oral Interpretation (Speech)
Instructor: Matt Slimp
Grades: 8-12
Spring Semester: July 1st to July 19th, 2024
Days & Times: Daily, 8:00 am to 12:20 pm
Oral Interpretation is a 4 hour "beginner" guide to competitive speech. Students learn public speaking skills, acting, research tools, persuasive writing, and more, in preparation for competition on the SMHS Speech Team. Eighth grade for enrichment only.
Laboratory Skills for Medical Arts
Instructor: Joseph Carmona
Grades: 8th-10th
Fall Semester: June 10th to June 28th, 2024
Days & Times: Daily, 8:00 am to 12:20 pm
A developmental science course with special emphasis on readiness for the Medical Arts Academy. Intended to prepare students with basic lab skills required by all SMHS Sciences. Established on fundamental principles from biological and physical sciences, the class will spotlight laboratory techniques and applications. Particularly in the fields of chemistry and biology, lessons will embrace the common practices of scientific investigation. The curriculum enables students to explore inquiry based activities by using a variety of laboratory equipment, advanced technology like virtual dissection tables, methods of collecting data, and performing comparative analysis.
“This course is strongly recommended for students enrolling in the Medical Arts Academy and for students gearing up for advanced high school science courses.”
Eighth grade for enrichment only.
Laboratory Skills for Medical Arts
Instructor: Joseph Carmona
Grades: 8th-10th
Spring Semester: July 1st to July 19th, 2024
Days & Times: Daily, 8:00 am to 12:20 pm
A developmental science course with special emphasis on readiness for the Medical Arts Academy. Intended to prepare students with basic lab skills required by all SMHS Sciences. Established on fundamental principles from biological and physical sciences, the class will spotlight laboratory techniques and applications. Particularly in the fields of chemistry and biology, lessons will embrace the common practices of scientific investigation. The curriculum enables students to explore inquiry based activities by using a variety of laboratory equipment, advanced technology like virtual dissection tables, methods of collecting data, and performing comparative analysis.
“This course is strongly recommended for students enrolling in the Medical Arts Academy and for students gearing up for advanced high school science courses.”
Eighth grade for enrichment only.
Creative Writing
Instructor: Sergio Cervantes
Grades: 8-12
Spring Semester: July 1st to July 19th, 2024
Days & Times: Daily, 8:00 am to 12:20 pm
If you aspire to write creatively and don’t know how to get started, or if you already write creatively but want to expand your know-how, this Creative Writing course is for you. This class will provide many fundamental techniques geared to motivate and cultivate a student’s creative writing ability.
As young writers, you will learn to spark story ideas via observation, personal experience, writing prompts and freewriting. Topics will include an introduction to traditional story structure, writing from different points of view, the creation of dynamic characters, poetic voice, and the art of creating engaging dialogue. Students will write regularly in journals, read and examine the published works of contemporary YA authors, and other professional writers. They will also engage with different forms of narrative craft, including short stories, flash fiction, novels, and writing for stage and screen. The goal is for our class to become a supportive community of writers, as we experiment, craft, revise, and tinker with our work.
This course is for enrichment only and offers no high school credit.
Forensics
Instructor: John Lombardi
Grades: 8th-12th
Fall Semester: June 10th to June 28th, 2024
Days & Times: Daily, 8:00 am to 12:20 pm
Forensic science is the study and scientific application in solving crime scene investigations. It involves exploration and lab investigations composed of many disciplines of scientific study such as biology/anatomy, chemistry, and physics, all focused on collecting evidence. From paleontological "crime scenes" to modern human-caused crime scenes, students will gain a basic understanding of the scientific and analytical approach to determining the value of such evidence. The Anatomage Table will be utilized for anatomy and physiology.This course is for enrichment only and offers no high school credit.
Intro to Computer Science
Instructor: Daniel Lee
Grades: 8-12
Spring Semester: July 1st to July 19th, 2024
Days & Times: Daily, 8:00 am to 12:20 pm
Course Description: This three-week summer course offers high school students an introduction to computer programming using JavaScript. Students will delve into programming basics, including variables, data types, control structures, and functions, laying the groundwork for understanding more advanced concepts. Through interactive coding exercises and projects, participants will gain hands-on experience, fostering problem-solving skills and logical thinking. By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in programming, preparing them for further exploration in the dynamic field of computer science. For enrichment only.