DaVinci in the Classroom
We are very excited about this new interdisciplinary curriculum! To give you a sense of what each class will be like, course descriptions are provided below. All three courses are developed so that content learnt in one area is used in another, and projects and explorations can span more than one subject. We will use the 4 essential themes to tie all of our lessons together and provide overarching contextfor each term.
Not a Traditional Classroom...
In addition to the exploratory nature of the lessons, this program offers a variety of other opportunities
- Students will collaborate with other students, teachers and TA's in the program on both long and short term projects that span all 3 of their mutual classes.
- Students will engage in independent learning at home, and explorations and experiments in the classroom (flipped classroom)
- Learning experiences will move beyond the classroom space, and students will have opportunities to choose how, and in what context, they learn material.
- Since 3 courses are involved, our time is more flexible, and will not be limited to the traditional 55/75 minute classes. Occasionally we will use all three blocks together to do some team building, go on field trips, or invite guest speakers.
- Students will have a direct connection with industry, and will be part of a very powerful community within our school.
The following course descriptions are from the NSHS course catalog (2016 - 2017)
DaVinci Biochemistry 1
DaVinci Biochemistry 1 is an integration of biological and chemical sciences. Students in this multi-leveled* course will discover the principles of biology and chemistry through interactive projects, hands on exploration, and collaboration in the classroom, laboratory and the community. Students will explore the molecular and cellular basis of life, the structure and function of organisms, and how energy is harnessed and conserved. Each term will culminate with a student driven investigation integrating these themes with principles of biochemistry, technology, art, and mathematics. Weaving throughout their investigations, students will be driven towards determining how to help design products and systems to that may solve some of the world's dilemmas like clean water and energy.
DaVinci Math 2
DaVinci Math 2 is a multi-leveled* course that completes the study of Geometry and Algebra 2 started in the student's previous freshman course (and begins a study of Trigonometry for honors students). Topics include exponential, quadratic and trigonometric functions, inequalities, surface area, volume, data analysis, complex numbers, and geometric proofs. Students are enrolled with the rest of the 10th grade DaVinci cohort, and engage in a project-based learning environment that introduces them to new material in the context of real world application, science, technology, engineering and art.
Theory of Creativity (DaVinci Art)
Theory of Creation - Students in the DaVinci Program will be introduced to concepts and skills to help create and innovate. This course will be a purposeful inquiry into different ways of creation, starting with a concept, planning, producing and revision. How do we judge a work of art, architecture or sculpture? How do we create to inspire? Why are we inspired? These are the questions that will guide our work. Students will be assessed through an extended artistic expression based on the theme of the DaVinci Program. Students will be asked to become aware of themselves as thinkers, encouraging them to become more acquainted with the complexity of knowledge.
* multi leveled means that students from all levels of learning will be in the same classrooms. This includes college prep (CP), advanced college prep (ACP), Accelerated ACP (math only) and honors(H). Students will work with each other, sometimes in mixed groups and sometimes with peers at their same level.
Have more questions? Take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us!