Captivating Curriculum Two new classes for 2016-17 – AP Capstone and Engineering – have enhanced the curriculum Gentry Burks ’19 (right, foreground) and the engineering class in Faber Hall The engineering track at Jesuit JESUIT PERSPECTIVES • WINTER 2016-17 9 esuit High School bolstered its curriculum in 2016-17 with impactful new courses that have elevated the school’s academic offerings, most notably the two-year AP Capstone and three-year engineering programs. The college-style, AP Capstone sequence for 11th-12th grade further establishes Jesuit’s excellence in Advanced Placement. Under the direction of English Department head Austin Freeman ’02, the research-based and interactive AP Capstone has created a buzz on campus. This fall, 16 juniors began the AP Seminar component of Capstone, and next year as seniors they will complete the AP Research component. Capstone program students are seeking the prestigious AP Capstone degree, which requires successful completion of both Seminar and Research as well as a passing grade in at least four other AP course exams during high school. Offered by fewer than 2% of high schools in the U.S. and about 600 worldwide, AP Capstone fosters the skills colleges seek in prospective students. The AP Seminar course for juniors empowers students to explore academic and real-world issues from multiple perspectives. Through a variety of materials – from articles and research studies to foundational and philosophical texts – students engage complex questions; understand and evaluate opposing viewpoints; interpret and synthesize information; and develop, communicate, and defend evidence-based arguments. “I’m gaining the confi dence needed to pursue diffi cult classes in college,” said Carlos Ruiz ’18. “(AP Capstone) is providing us with the skills to do well. We’re learning how to conduct our own independent analysis of complex ideas, how to create meaningful research questions, and even identify and form our own successful arguments.” 10th grade: Introduction to Engineering Design • Basics of engineering and technical sketching • 3D computer aided design and animation • Exploring the application of the engineering design process Capstone complements the in-depth, subject-specifi c rigor of AP courses at Jesuit, and it continues the school’s progressive development in Advanced Placement. From 2009 to 2016, Jesuit raised its AP course total from 9 to 20, increased its students enrolled in AP from 125 to 346, and more than tripled the number of AP exams taken, from 223 to 693. In that same span, Jesuit increased its AP test pass rate (a score of 3 or better) from 56% to 84%. This year Jesuit also launched its 3-year STEM program, under the umbrella of the science department, with 40 students from the Class of 2019. A product of the national emphasis on S.T.E.M. – science, technology, engineering, and math – Jesuit engineering operates in conjunction with Project Lead The Way, a national leader that provides curriculum and teacher training. The 40 sophomores enrolled this fi rst year – nearly 20% of the entire Class of 2019 – demonstrates the desire at Jesuit for an engineering program. When they graduate in 2019 as the fi rst to complete the program, they will have a healthy head start to college having developed transportable skills such as 11th grade: Principles of Engineering • Application of physics and engineering • Exploration of mechanical systems through robotics • Experimentation with strength of structures J collaboration, critical thinking, and communication, in addition to gaining vast, specifi c engineering knowledge about things such as affordable housing design, biofuel production, and app development. The engineering program will foster more students interested in pursuing engineering careers, as well as related pursuits such as physics, building construction, computer science, architecture, and software design. “I want to be an engineer when I’m older, so I was very excited to sign up,” Gentry Burks ’19 said. “I’m really hoping this will help me get into a school (that specializes in engineering) and help me pursue this career path.” 12th grade: Engineering Design and Development • Identify and research real world challenges • Real world application of engineering principles • Creating and testing unique solutions to real world issues Austin Freeman ’02 and the AP Capstone class
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