STEM Department
The main objective of Monte Vista's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses is to offer students a wide range of opportunities. This includes career readiness and hands-on experience to college preparatory level classes, labs, and creative activities. Monte Vista High School STEM Classes set high standards for rigorous, focused, and engaging study, developing students’ innovative, collaborative, cooperative, and problem-solving skills.
Faculty
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CoursesAQUATIC & TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY
This course examines the interactions between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, with a strong emphasis on “hands-on” learning using a variety of project-based experiences and research. Students will explore biotic and abiotic factors and their influence on plant and animal populations through time. They will also collect, analyze, and present data related to ecological systems they monitor in class or in the field. Students will also be trained as volunteers for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife program, River Watch, where they will learn how to collect stream water samples and perform several chemical tests to determine the health of the river. Students will also learn how to manage their own “aquaponics” tank, tracking water quality, fish health, and plant growth parameters, in essence creating a sustainable mini-ecosystem which has the potential to provide both protein and edible plants to humans, on either small or large scales. PREREQUISITE: Recommendation from previous science or math teacher and successful completion of Algebra I. APP Building
This is the world of App Inventor, a visual programming tool for building mobile apps. Based on a visual “blocks” programming method that’s proven successful even with kids, App Inventor dramatically lowers the barriers to creating apps for Android phones and devices. How about a video game where the characters look like you and your friends? Or a “did you pick up the milk?” app that reminds you if it’s after 3 p.m. and you’re near the grocery store? Or a quiz app you give your signi„cant other that’s in fact a surprise date request? “Question 4: Want to go to a movie? Press the button to accept by sending a text message.” The possibilities are endless. Who will be the next Flappy Bird creator? PREREQUISITE: Recommendation from previous science or math teacher and successful completion of Algebra I. COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
This course emphasizes object oriented programming methodology with an emphasis on problem solving and algorithm development. It also covers the study of data structures, design and abstraction. The course emphasizes the design issues that make programs understandable, adaptable and reusable. PREREQUISITE: Recommendation from previous science or math teacher and successful completion of Algebra I. FORENSICS
This course is designed for the student who would like to learn how science, technology, and math are use to solve crimes. PREREQUISITE: Recommendation from previous science or math teacher and successful completion of Algebra I. HYDROLOGY
This course is designed for the student who would like to learn about the water cycle and how water movement affects earth and it’s resources and how it is affected by humans. It involves water quantity and quality. PREREQUISITE: Recommendation from previous science or math teacher and successful completion of Algebra I. Introduction to engineering
Introduction to Engineering is a course that is appropriate for students who are interested in design and engineering. The major focus of the course is to expose students to the design process, research and analysis, teamwork, communication methods, global and human impacts, engineering standards, and technical documentation. Students will develop skills and understanding of course concepts through activities, projects, and problem-based learning. PREREQUISITE: Recommendation from previous science teacher and successful completion of Algebra I. Meteorology
This course is designed for the student who will be learning about current weather maps; structure of the atmosphere and the role of moisture in the development of dew, clouds, and precipitation; air masses, fronts, cyclones, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Elements of weather forecasting, instrumentation and communication. Recommendation from previous science or math teacher and successful completion of Algebra I. Robotics
This course will use robotics to cover the fundamentals of problem solving, program design, algorithms and programming using a high-level language. A robot is an embedded system of software and hardware. Programming and building robots applies science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts. This course introduces the fundamental concepts of programming and robotics. Recommendation from previous science or math teacher and successful completion of Algebra I. Sports analytics
This course will discuss the theory, development, and applications of analytics in sports. Students investigate the application of analytics in sports for purposes of in-game strategy, player performance, team management, and sports operations. Students enhance their overall problem solving and critical thinking ability while they gain an understanding of the basic statistical concepts and their applications in the sports world. Students will also obtain a broad survey of the methods used in sports data acquisition, processing, analysis, visualization, and implementation. They will develop the ability to recognize, formulate, and analyze decision-making in sports. Recommendation from previous science or math teacher and successful completion of Algebra I. web design
This course is an introduction to website management, website graphics, and animation for students who want to learn how to create and manage web pages. Students will learn how to design websites and upload files to the Internet. One of the primary objectives of the class will be the upkeep, design, and expansion of the Monte Vista School District web sites. PREREQUISITES: Teacher Recommendation |
