Year 8 2018 Elective Courses Students are able to continue studying their current electives or they can pick 2 new elective courses to study in year 8 from the following list: COURSE NAME FEE COURSE NAME FEE Agriculture $15.00 Engineering $25.00 Chinese No Fee Forensic Science $20.00 Computer Science No Fee Problem Solving & Thinking Skills $10.00 Dance No Fee Sport Studies $20.00 Drama No Fee STEM - Robotics No Fee More information about each elective can be found on the following pages. STUDENT FULL NAME: Please indicate below your four choices IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE COURSE SELECTION CHOOSE IN PRIORITY ORDER FEES 1. 2. 3. 4. PARENT SIGNATURE: DATE: This form need to be submitted to the front office by Friday 8 th September. Plumpton High School - Year 8 Electives 2018 Page 1
Agriculture Fee: $15 Agriculture is the study of plants and animals which are farmed in Australia. When you study Agriculture at Plumpton High School you will learn about crops and how to grow plants. You will have your own vegetable garden that you will cultivate, tend to and harvest. You will raise chickens and collect their eggs and you will also be involved in the care and handling of sheep and a school calf. You will even get the opportunity to learn about aquaculture, permaculture and sustainability. Plumpton High School is dedicated to being responsible for its natural and built environments. The study of Agriculture also provides many hands on activities that will help to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of best farming practices. Students are required to wear firm leather upper shoes if they wish to study this course. Students are assessed through a variety of practical activities, reports and experimental presentations. Chinese Fee: Nil Throughout the course you will learn about Chinese culture and society, such as festivals, sports and Celebrations. You will also study Chinese writing and comprehension to enable you to recognise and apply Chinese greetings, counting, days of the week and basic conversation suitable to prepare for a trip to China. Students will be introduced to the culture and traditions of Chinese speakers and encouraged to appreciate the diversity of the world we live in today Why learn Mandarin? Mandarin is the language of about a fifth of the world s population Because of its physical proximity, China has a special relationship with Australia and is a major trading partner Students will work with teachers from Ningbo Province in China on a regular basis as well as Plumpton High School teachers Learning languages allows students to gain confidence and selfesteem in using language to communicate with others Students are assessed through listening, speaking and writing in Mandarin. They will be also be asked to produce a project relating to Chinese culture. Plumpton High School - Year 8 Electives 2018 Page 2
COMPUTER SCIENCE CURRICULUM IDEAS: Iterate, Design, Engage, Apply, Synthesize 10 courses that progress through higher levels of complexity Courses available starting with grade 2 (7 year olds) through high school Up to 64 hours of activity and instruction per course IDEAS 1: Exploring Computer Science As an introduction to the broad range of computer science topics and skills, students learn the basics of the computer, its parts and its functions, how to use the computer s interface, how to draw, how to type using age-appropriate applications, and how the computer s local memory is organized. IDEAS 2: Creativity in Computer Science Creativity in Computer Science introduces students to new applications and also deepens the understandings and skills that were introduced in Exploring Computer Science. IDEAS 3: Interactive Quizzes and Games In Interactive Quizzes and Games, students learn to use Scratch as a tool for communication through four in-class design challenges that involve cross-disciplinary quizzes and games. IDEAS Accelerator: Catch-Up Course The Computer Science Accelerator course provides an entry point for older students to begin the IDEAS curriculum. Students begin with the basic computer skills that were taught in Exploring Computer Science and Creativity in Computer Science and are then introduced to Scratch programming and begin to makes their own programs in animations. IDEAS 4: Introduction to Algorithms Introduction to Algorithms positions Scratch as a tool for computations by showing students how to use lists, functions, and algorithms to create a basic, descriptive statistical application within Scratch. IDEAS 5: Thinking in Terms of Objects Thinking in Terms of Objects introduces students to object oriented programming and Sandbloqs, a new programming language designed for students who have never programmed before, or only have experience with visual programming. IDEAS 6: Designing with Objects Students learn new applications within Sandbloqs and deepen their knowledge of object-oriented programming. IDEAS 7: Creating with Java Creating with Java introduces students to textbased programming and programming in the Android Studio as students apply objectoriented programming concepts to the Java programming language. IDEAS 8: App Building This course introduces students to new applications within Java and the Android Studio while also deepening understandings and skills introduced in Creating with Java. IDEAS 9: Creating a Virtual World Creating a Virtual World introduces students to the C# programming language, the Unity 3d editor, and many of the concepts that are used in successful game design and the game creation process. IDEAS 10: Game Design Game Design presents students with a deeper exploration of game design theory as they further explore more advanced game design principles; such as, genres, goals, mechanics, player motivation, structure and game play. 1300 667 945
Dance Fee: Nil Dance appeals to students who are creative. Dance is a something we can all do, whether you have taken a dance class before, or you have always wanted to give it a go! Dance can be a way to not only express ourselves, but also can be a lot of fun. Learn to dance like Beyoncé or Usher, or burn the floor creating your own dances. Whatever the reason, Dance can help increase your confidence and can help you shine. Dance involves: CREATING YOUR OWN DANCES: This is the main focus of the course, and allows you to create your own new steps and dances. Computer technology is also used to help you create these dances. DANCE TECHNIQUE: Dance Technique helps you develop your ability, flexibility and strength. DANCE STYLES: The Dance syllabus is based on modern technique, but in the junior course you will learn about all the difference styles of Dance. These include: Tap Dance, Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre and Cultural Dance. PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES: Studying Dance in Year 7 can lead to various performance opportunities within the school and also could result in you being chosen to represent the school at a higher level. Students are assessed through the components of Performance (40%), Composition (40%) and Appreciation (20%). They work together in groups, pairs and solos to create dance, perform dance and learn technique and explore the history and write about and reflect on dance. Drama Drama appeals to students who are creative. Drama is a great subject for all students; you get to have fun while expressing yourself, playing new characters and interacting with other people. Drama helps to increase your confidence and allow you to have a physical experience in this creative subject. Fee: Nil Drama involves: ACTING TECHNIQUE: Learn how to act and the skills and techniques that are needed to be an actor. STYLES OF THEATRE AND HISTORY: Look at the different types of theatre and techniques and how these came about, for example: improvisation, masks, puppets, film and video drama PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITES: Studying Drama in Year 7 can lead to many other opportunities including school productions, stage crew and Drama camps. Students are assessed through the components Making (30%), Performing (30%) and Appreciating (40%). Students work together in groups, pairs and solos to make drama, perform drama and learn technique, explore the history and write about and reflect on Drama. Plumpton High School - Year 8 Electives 2018 Page 4
Engineering Fee: $25 Engineering is a practical based course which provides opportunities for students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to general engineering concepts. Students will develop knowledge and skills in the use of materials, tools and techniques related to structures and mechanisms as well as control systems and alternative energy sources. Learning outcomes are addressed through the design and construction of student projects. Students will work with a variety of materials from electronics, metal, wood and utilise computer technologies to develop solutions to problems and explore engineering ideas. Students are required to wear firm leather upper shoes if they wish to study this course. Students are assessed on the practical solutions that they develop for a range of engineering problems. Practical assessments include the design and launching of bottle rockets, the design and construction of an electric vehicle and a roller coaster and well as experiments with Hydraulic mechanisms. Forensic Science Fee: $20 Students who enjoy watching CSI and NCIS Crime investigation TV shows will thoroughly enjoy this elective course. Forensic Science is an exciting and interactive course where observation and deductive reasoning combine with the science that students are learning in the laboratory, to solve crimes in the real world. Students will take a journey into the world of the Forensic Scientist and learn how Forensic Science helps the Police to solve crimes every day. They will discover how forensic evidence is gathered, how it is analysed and how the results of these analyses are compiled to provide detailed picture of the events leading up to a crime. As part of this course, students will also take part in a Forensic Science Workshop run by real Forensic Scientists. Students are required to wear firm leather upper shoes if they wish to study this course. In this subject, students will discover: the importance of observation and deductive reasoning in interpreting results of forensic tests how microscopy is used in the identification and origin of hair and fibre samples the use of fingerprinting, footprints and chromatography in forensic investigations how to check or verify forgery DNA profiling and how this is used to identify and link suspects to the crime scene. Students will be assessed through tasks such as identifying and using available evidence, profiling of suspects and victims and solving crime scenarios and case studies Plumpton High School - Year 8 Electives 2018 Page 5
Problem Solving and Thinking Skills Fee: $10 The focus of this subject is for students to improve their ability to manage their lives at school, at home and in their community, by learning a variety of problem solving and creative thinking techniques. Students learn to work successfully as individuals, in groups and in teams, as they engage in a series of challenges both in and out of the classroom. There are opportunities for students to design and develop thinking and problem solving, projects based on their own interests. Students will engage in challenges that generally require them to put things together, pull things apart, access new ideas and develop new ways of thinking, in order to solve familiar and unfamiliar problems. Classroom exercises include: managing increasingly complex puzzles as well as participating in and even creating puzzles and thinking games. There is a significant recognition of the students non-school experiences, knowledge and interests. Emphasis is placed on processes such as: designing, planning, cooperation, collaboration and the satisfaction of solving the problem, finding the answer and having fun doing it. Students will be assessed through tasks such as solving problems related to environmental issues, designing an energy efficient product and finding solutions to global issues relating to conservation, management and sustainability. Sports Studies Fee: $20 Sports Studies is a practical based course for students who are interested in participating in a variety of physical activities. It is designed for students who enjoy physical activity and would like to further develop their movement skills and competence in a variety of team sports. Sport studies promotes learning through movement and provides students with opportunities to develop their movement skills and analyse movement performance. It also provides for positive interaction with others, in collaborative and competitive contexts, supporting the development of key social skills. This course caters for a wide range of student needs. It can assist students in developing: High levels of performance skill in particular sports Strategies and tactics for success in a range of movement contexts Skills to enhance safety in physical activity Leadership and teamwork skills The skills of coach, trainer, referee and fitness leader Sports administrative skills of competition and event coordinator Above: Students participating in an AFL workshop ran by the GWS Giants This course is 60% Practical and 40% Theory, you will be assessed through, Practical application of skills, Written tasks and Formal examinations. Plumpton High School - Year 8 Electives 2018 Page 6
ROBOTICS CURRICULUM TREC: Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Coding 10 courses that progress through higher levels of complexity Courses available starting with grade 2 (7 year olds) through high school Up to 100 hours of activity and instruction per course TREC 1: Sense, Plan, Act Students learn about mechanical construction systems using educational building systems such as LEGO MINDSTORMS or VEX Robotics. Through age-appropriate activities, students learn how to build basic mechanical systems and complete a number of activities and exercises around computational thinking the fundamentals of robotics. TREC 2: Mechanisms Students will use their robotics kits to explore elementary math concepts, the properties of different objects, and the concept of Force. TREC 3: Mobility and Sequence Students build and program robots to complete basic deadreckoning navigation tasks in themed worlds. Ageappropriate handling of robot-drive geometry and distancerate problems, and physical drive design constraints round out the engineering experiences. TREC 4: Sensing and Logic Students build and program robots to complete sensorassisted navigation tasks in themed worlds. TREC 5: Experiments and Analysis Students build and program robots in applications focused around responsive real-time autonomy through Repeated Decisions (looped conditionals). For use with VEX IQ and LEGO EV3 hardware platforms. Portions of this product are manufactured under license from Carnegie Mellon University. Courses subject to change. TREC On Ramp: Catch-Up Course Students learn or review the fundamental programming concepts covered in previous years during a single-year catch-up curriculum. This curriculum component allows middle and high schools to on-ramp students who are transferring in from schools that did not offer robotics training. TREC 6: Engineering Explorations Students will be introduced to engineering principles as they use their previous knowledge of programming and robotic design to solve real-world problems. TREC 7: Data and the World Students undertake engineering projects that require them to model the physical world using data abstraction. TREC 8: Algorithmic Thinking Students undertake programming and engineering projects that require their robots to manipulate data abstractions of substantial complexity. TREC 9: Engineering Collaborations Using the Engineering Process, students will complete second-level engineering challenges requiring them to apply all programming, engineering, and design knowledge learned to date to develop effective designs. TREC 10: Internet of Things This capstone level course is designed to bring the concepts of industrial design, electronics, programming and connectivity together in a course focused around developing smart devices for everyday life. 1300 667 945