Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

TJ Curriculum Through the Years

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Original Mission “To create a high school environment for state-of-the-art instruction and learning experiences designed to enhance the opportunities interested students have in acquiring more specific and advanced skills in and knowledge about selected science and high technology specialties.”

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Dedication “Although science and mathematics are the content areas upon which the school has been planned, language skills and the humanities will be considered equally important.” Dr. David Sawyer

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Initial Planning The curriculum was conceived to be grade level dependent. The only core area not grade level dependent is mathematics.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Initial Graduation Requirements The planning committee was tasked to: Provide a comprehensive education; Include the Advanced Studies diploma (24 credits) required for all Governor’s Schools; Include courses supporting the mission of the school.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Graduation Specifics - Math Prerequisite Algebra 1 4 additional credits including Calculus

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Graduation Specifics – Tech Computer Science – one credit Technology – two credits * ninth and twelfth grade

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Graduation Specifics – Science Molecular Biology Analytical Chemistry Physics Geoscience Plus one additional credit in Math, Science, Computer Science, or Technology

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Graduation Specifics – Humanities Four credits of English Three credits of Social Studies

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Graduation Specifics – FLAMPE Three credits of Foreign Language Two credits of Health and PE One credit of Fine or Practical Arts

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Scheduling Eight period day - 7 academic & 1 activity 28 credits to be taken over the four years

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Elective Opportunities Algebra 1 credit prerequisite  allows three elective choices over four years. Previous Foreign Language Level 1  allows for four elective choices in four years.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Changes over the Years

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Changes - Technology 1985 Tech 9 - one quarter of keyboarding & three week rotations through the tech labs. By 1988, the course deleted the lab rotation and added units in electronics, biotechnology, mechanical drawing, etc. Keyboarding remained an integral unit through the late ’90’s.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Changes - Blocking initial blocking in math and science. - Wednesday one double math class - Thursday one double science class (or vice versa) Wednesday/Thursday blocking IBET four day blocking

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Governor’s School Mandate - integrate whenever possible Previous trials - English, Government & Geosystems (EGG) - Chemistry, Algebra 2/Trig & CS - Physics and Pre-calculus Currently - English 12- Geosystems - English12- AP Government - English 10 and World Studies 2 - English 11 and AP US History

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Changes - 27 th Credit 1997 state requires 4 th Social Studies credit for the Advanced Studies Diploma 2005 enhanced electives program

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Changes - Electives Math trials - Probability and Statistics - Mathematical Modeling - Discrete Mathematics - History of Mathematics - Number Theory Foreign Language - Chinese (early 90s) Science trials - Plant Science, Botany & many more

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology “While the original course offerings were determined by the steering committee, much of the direction of curriculum development and course content has been determined by the passions, skills, and expertise of individual faculty members.” - Dr. Leslie Keiler

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology IBET Integrated Biology, English and Technology

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology What is the IBET Program? IBET is an integrated biology, English technology program that ushers students into the academic and social culture of Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology What is the IBET Program? The program provides students a safe and challenging but supportive environment, and provides them a strong foundation of knowledge and skills they will need to be successful at TJ and beyond.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology What is an IBET Project? An IBET project clearly integrates all three disciplines and draws on the unique abilities of the counselor. An IBET project involves real world problems and/or issues. An IBET project involves every student in student-driven experimentation which implements the scientific method.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology The Value of IBET: An academic foundation Independent scientific investigation / data collection / management / analysis / synthesis Writing / research / notation Study skills / organization / use of time Presentation skills (PowerPoint, figures, speaking) Group dynamics Portfolios

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology The value of IBET: A Visionary Program (The power of 3) Union of disparate communities ~ a family Modeling of collegiality and effective team work A safety net ~ 4 adults who see students regularly Ability to manipulate and manage time Power in the ability to bring 3 disciplines to bear to solve particular problems

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology JEFFERSON LEARNING COMMUNITY Trixi Bicknell TJHSST JLC Steering Committee

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology What is it? Time for the faculty to collaborate to enhance: –Student learning and –School performance

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology WHY? Better Use of Time Increase Faculty Effectiveness

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Where are we now? Organization –Week Designations –Core Groups

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Math Geometry Algebra 2/Trig PreCalculus Calculus Multivariable Calculus/Linear Algebra Computer Science Division Special Projects: Intellectual Risk Taking Creative Problem Solving

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology HUMANITIES Hum I Hum II Global Language Arts Strands Course/Project Development

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology FLAMPE PE Fine Arts Foreign Language –AP Spanish –Spanish 1 – 4 –French –Strategic Languages

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Science and Technology Biology Chemistry Geosystems Physics Tech 9 Tech Labs

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology STUDENT SERVICES The Student Services Department is using JLC time to assess programs and delivery of services. Topics discussed to date: College Recommendation Process In-house Secondary School Report Student Services Web Site

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Where are we going? Continuing to question –What do we want students to learn? –How will we know they have learned it? –How can we help those who haven’t learned? JLC for students

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology New Course Proposals

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Science & Technology Organic Chemistry with Instrumental Analysis Digital Imagery Bio-Nanotechnology Biology of the Arts

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Math & Computer Science Numerical Analysis Pre-calculus with Additional Analytic Geometry Topics

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology FLAMPE Chinese 1

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Humanities America and the World Since 1989 Street Law: A Course In Practical Law Science, Technology and U.S. Public Policy History of Technology

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology