thomas jefferson high school for science and technology

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology


TJ Curriculum Through the Years


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.”


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


Initial Planning

• The curriculum was conceived to be grade level dependent.

• The only core area not grade level dependent is mathematics.


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.


Graduation Specifics - Math

• Prerequisite Algebra 1

• 4 additional credits including Calculus


Graduation Specifics – Tech

• Computer Science – one credit

• Technology – two credits* ninth and twelfth grade


Graduation Specifics – Science

• Molecular Biology

• Analytical Chemistry

• Physics

• Geoscience

• Plus one additional credit in Math, Science, Computer Science, or Technology


Graduation Specifics – Humanities

• Four credits of English

• Three credits of Social Studies


Graduation Specifics – FLAMPE

• Three credits of Foreign Language

• Two credits of Health and PE

• One credit of Fine or Practical Arts


Scheduling

• Eight period day - 7 academic & 1 activity

• 28 credits to be taken over the four years


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.


Changes over the Years


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.


Changes - Blocking

• 1985 - initial blocking in math and science.

- Wednesday one double math class

- Thursday one double science class (or vice versa)

• 1987 - Wednesday/Thursday blocking

• 1989 - IBET

• 1996 - four day blocking


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


Changes - 27th Credit

• 1997 state requires 4th Social Studies credit for the Advanced Studies Diploma

• 2005 enhanced electives program


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


“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


IBET

Integrated Biology, English 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.


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.


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.


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


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


JEFFERSON LEARNING COMMUNITY

Trixi Bicknell

TJHSST JLC Steering Committee


What is it?

• Time for the faculty to collaborate to enhance: – Student learning and – School performance


WHY?

• Better Use of Time

• Increase Faculty Effectiveness


Where are we now?

• Organization

–Week Designations

–Core Groups


Math• Geometry

• Algebra 2/Trig

• PreCalculus

• Calculus

• Multivariable Calculus/Linear Algebra

• Computer Science

•Division Special Projects:

•Intellectual Risk Taking

•Creative Problem Solving


HUMANITIES

• Hum I

• Hum II

• Global Language Arts Strands

• Course/Project Development


FLAMPE

• PE

• Fine Arts

• Foreign Language

– AP Spanish

– Spanish 1 – 4

– French

– Strategic Languages


Science and Technology

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Geosystems

• Physics

• Tech 9

• Tech Labs


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


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


New Course Proposals2005 - 2006


Science & Technology

• Organic Chemistry with Instrumental Analysis

• Digital Imagery

• Bio-Nanotechnology

• Biology of the Arts


Math & Computer Science

• Numerical Analysis

• Pre-calculus with Additional Analytic Geometry Topics


FLAMPE

• Chinese 1


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

Documents

technology slide

thomas jefferson high

high technology specialties

selected science

high school environment

credit technology

technology scheduling

technology dedication