Courses

Open to all 9-12th graders

This course is designed around the construction and development of aircraft manufacturing, instructed in continue usage and learning FAA requirements, and the construction of new manufacturing platforms throughout the semester. Students will be able to use common tooling to build the aircraft in addition to different skill sets while learning important terminology that will help them understand FAA requirements and technical text. Higher skill levels along with applicable opportunities beyond the basic requirements will be available to all students to meet the needs of desired extended Aircraft manufacturing skill sets, engineering, and operating knowledge.

- Open to all 9th-12th graders (No prerequisites)

AVT 155 - Introduces and develops flight control and piloting techniques for common Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platforms. Students learn and demonstrate maneuvers, procedures, and best practices for safe UAS operation on fixed wing and rotary wing systems. Develops the skills and knowledge required to be a pilot of a UAS in the National Airspace System. Students who are new to aviation will develop functional knowledge in the areas of pilot-in-command responsibilities, aerodynamic principles, aviation meteorology, and the flight environment.

- Open to all 9th - 12th graders (Ideally finishing UAS Flight Concepts & Training first)

Utilizing the industry standard Aircraft Design Cycle and fabrication laboratory equipment, students will have the opportunity to engineer and design a UAV recreational and commercial fixed wing and multirotor aircraft to solve a real world problem.

Intro to Pilot Ground 1 begins the SVVSD Private Pilot course pathway for students interested in exploring the careers in the general aviation industry. Prepares students for the Private Pilot Airplane, Single Engine, Land - FAA Knowledge Exam. Included in this course will be a look at
Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Control, aviation airspace, aviation weather, future aviation and careers in aviation.

• Open to all 9-12th graders

- Open to all 9th - 12th graders

Students get involved with UAS industry related work and support in the Aeronautics program development. Students will learn to work on project teams, develop scopes of work, apply engineering principles and design thinking practices, utilize new fabrication equipment, manage contractual and non-contractual based UAS work. Students could option for SVVSD employment.

Open to 11th & 12th graders who have completed UAS Flight Training and UAVED (Engineering and Design)

In a one to two semester project of study, students will design a new product/process solution through a COTS UAS drone integration approach. Utilizing the design thinking model and innovation center technologies, students will learn to develop a UAS centered problem and work with current industry for possible design solutions. This course partners with the IC Entrepreneurial program for student business fundamentals and practices.

Open to 11th & 12th graders who have completed UAS Flight Training and UAVED (Engineering and Design)

In a one to two semester project of study, students will design a new product/process solution through a COTS UAS drone integration approach. Utilizing the design thinking model and innovation center technologies, students will learn to develop a UAS centered problem and work with current industry for possible design solutions. This course partners with the IC Entrepreneurial program for student business fundamentals and practices.

Final ground course prep for students and the Private Pilot Airplane, Single Engine, Land - FAA Knowledge Exam Included in this course will be a look at Federal Aviation Administration, Air Traffic Control, aviation airspace, aviation weather, future aviation and careers in aviation.

• (.5 Credit)
• Open to all 9 - 12th graders

This course teaches the basics of design including: what design is, sketching, drafting, rendering, presentation, the critique process, concepting an idea and translating it to a design brief. In addition, this course will give students a taste of the various types of industrial design they can continue with - transportation and mobility, product, and Human Machine Interface.

Students will be asked to keep a sketchbook which will be part of the course.

(.5 Credit)
• Open to all 9-12th graders • $20 Course Fee

Robotics I is a one-semester online course that explains various concepts related to robotics. The course begins by describing the evolution and applications of robotics. The course helps you identify career opportunities and important employability skills in robotics. You will explore Newton’s laws of motion and their applications in robotics. You will learn and apply basic concepts of electricity, electronic circuits, Boolean algebra, magnetics, and their applicability to robotics. And you will be provided an option to construct a simple robot.
This course is being designed and delivered in partnership with Colorado Digital Learning Solutions and the St Vrain Valley School District Innovation Center and delivered by a team of St Vrain teachers and students. Register online at http://stvra.in/robotics1.

(.5 credit)
• Open to all 9 - 12th graders
Artificial Intelligence is a rapidly evolving eld that is quickly transforming our society. It encompasses multiple fields, including machine learning, data analytics and the internet of things (IoT). This introductory class will explore this new and growing field by exploring the question of what intelligence is and how people and machines can learn; the importance of data to AI; the use of hardware to create a Smart environments; and the ethics challenges we face in an increasingly connected world.

Students will have the chance to try out various cutting-edge technologies, ranging from IBM’s Watson to Misty and NAO robots. We’ll work with experts in the eld to develop real-world applications for these technologies. Some experience with programming and/or robotics is helpful, but not required.

Open to all 9 - 12th graders

If you have had little or no experience with robotics, this course is a perfect introduction. You will learn about the wide world of robotics by exploring the different types and uses of robots in our world as well as possible robotic careers. Activities will be very hands-on and you’ll have a chance to explore the different standards of robotics (like design, fabrication, electronics, computer science) using fun and unique technologies at the Innovation Center.

- Open to all 9th-12th Graders
- Prerequisites - one of the following: (1 semester of Introductory Robotics, completion of Introduction to Robotics Online, or Instructor Approval)

This course will have a strong focus on how robots are designed and built. It is one of two courses designed to help you build up your robotics skillset and, in turn, to prepare you for more rigorous and authentic robotic opportunities like Robotics for a Better World and Competitive Robotics. You'll explore the following in this course:
- Fundamentals of 2-D and 3-D design
- Human-centered and engineering design processes
- Tools and approaches for design (sketching, CAD)
- Prototyping techniques and materials
- Basics of electronic design
- Mechanics of effective robotic design
- Engineering practices such as testing and documentation

- Open to all 9-12th graders (No prerequisites)
- $20 Course Fee

Native fish species in Colorado are under threat due to habitat modification, altered stream flow and invasive species. You will work together with experts like Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza of Ocean First Institute, learning how to apply innovations in the field of robotics, such as remote sensing and robotic vision. You will help scientists restore ecosystem, reintroduce, and monitor native fish species.

All students are welcome to enroll. The main requirement is a strong interest in learning about local conservation and exploring ways robotics can be used to solve environmental challenges. Email reitzig_axel@svvsd.org with questions.

- Open to all 9-12th graders (No prerequisites)
- $20 Course Fee

This class prepares students to compete against other high school, community college and university teams from around the country and world in the 2020 MATE Underwater Robotics Competition. Our team will design, build, and test an underwater drone, and will also develop a marketing approach to sell our product. You will learn and apply engineering skills like computer-aided design, fabrication, electronics, programming and principles of aquatic physics. We will at a minimum participate in one regional competition in the US; if we qualify, we will travel to Monterrey, California in June 2020 to compete in the 2020 MATE International Competition.

Any student is welcome to enroll. The main requirement is a strong interest in learning something new, a firm commitment to the team, and committing to participating in the International competition in June if the team qualifies. Fundraising will be required in order to travel to events and acquire some of the course materials. Email reitzig_axel@svvsd.org with questions.

- Open to all 9-12th graders (No prerequisites)

This course is designed to help students build a solid foundation in programming fundamentals using Swift as the language. You’ll get practical experience with the tools, techniques, and concepts needed to build a basic iOS app from scratch. You’ll also learn user interface design principles. Prior programming experience is not required for this course.

- Open to all 11-12th graders (Prerequisites: High school Biology, Chemistry & Algebra 2)

This course starts students on the path for careers in cloning, forensics, and saving the world from disease and famine. Biotech is an integrated science where students learn and apply biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, in preparation for working in the fastest growing industry in the nation. This class also prepares students for higher level courses, such as AP Biology and AP Chemistry.

• Open to all 11-12th graders who have completed either Introduction to Biomedical Engineering or Introduction to Biotechnology

This course provides an introduction to bioengineering through a series of team projects. Students learn, in a hands-on way, valuable engineering skills including communication, how to function in teams, and a variety of relevant project tools, such as programming microcontrollers, 3D printing, and computer-aided design (CAD). All projects and applications will be applied in the biotechnology eld, but the skills learned can be applied across all fields of science and engineering.

Open to all 9-12th graders; no prerequisites

This course will take your science and laboratory skills to the next level. Students will utilize specialized lab equipment in order to conduct a series of experiments covering topics such as microbiology, chemical synthesis, and electromagnetism. Through the process of scientific discovery, students will learn the basis behind many core scientific principles in biology, chemistry, and physics. By the end of the course, students will have gained the skills needed to work confidently in any lab setting. This is a great class to prepare students for future courses and careers in science.

(.5 credit)
• Open to all 10 - 12th graders who have completed Algebra II

The course combines computer programming, mathematics, and statistics to teach data science skills that are highly sought after in today’s digital world. Data scientists require skills and experience in all three disciplines in order to be able to analyse data, provide insights and offer suggestions based on data. Students will gain practical experience with data science tools used in industry today and will learn through a series of case studies based on real world problems. This multidisciplinary course will prepare students for future careers or coursework in computer science, mathematics, science, statistics, or engineering.

• Open to all 11-12th graders (Prerequisites: High school Biology, Chemistry & Algebra 2)
• Concurrent Enrollment with Colorado State University

This survey-based course through Colorado State University exposes students to how mechanical engineering, chemical/biological engineering, and electrical engineering principles can be applied to current biomedical challenges. The course also introduces current research efforts at CSU, BME career opportunities, team dynamics, and accessing/reading academic literature
- all of which will be valuable as the student progresses through their interest area. Students will also be able to go through the process of solving an engineering problem and presenting a product concept to various audiences at CSU.

• Open to all 10-12th graders (Preferred Prerequisites: BUS102, Business Course from Home High School, Innovation Center Entrepreneurial Mini Certification or no prerequisite with prior Instructor approval)

This course covers the major aspects of small business management to enable the entrepreneur to successfully begin their own business. The coursework will support the Entrepreneurial MindSet through developing the business principles needed to start a business. The course will go more in depth in the areas of Marketing, Business Planning, Analysis of Markets, Management, Financials and understanding the service or product line. The course will require an Entrepreneurial Portfolio to be developed with which there is the potential for the student to utilize as a way to start a business.

- One Semester Elective - 0.5 Credit - Open to all 11th and 12th graders (10th grade students encouraged and 10th graders seeking FRCC credit only with prior instructor approval)
- Instructor - Jeffrey Lund - lund_jeffrey@svvsd.org
- Concurrent Enrollment with FRCC as BUS102 Entrepreneurial Operations

This course inspires and engages students with perseverance and determination of an entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed in business, life and academics. It covers major aspects of small business management to enable the entrepreneur to successfully begin their own business. This course provides the basic concepts of marketing, principles of management and finance needed to manage a small business. This course provides for experiential learning beyond the classroom, making connections, understanding business concepts, and building relationships that support the student throughout college and careers.

- One Semester Elective - 0.5 Credit - Open to all 9 -12th graders
- Students who pass the class will pay for their own certification test - $150

Becoming a NewTek TriCaster Certified Operator is one skill that can help students work within the studio and television world. The course focuses on benefits of certification including get hired for better jobs, and being recognized by broadcast industry professionals, and becoming qualified to teach TriCaster Skills to others. Students will engage in operating a TriCaster system within a studio environment to include understanding of audio, video and lighting concepts. Learn the live television and production environment. Successful students in this course will be ready to take the TriCaster certification test.

(.5 credit)

• Open to all 10-12th graders (Preferred Prerequisites: TriCaster Certification course, Video Production courses from the CDC or MultiMedia course from home high school)

The course provides authentic real world experience into the Studio, Film and Multimedia Communications environment. The course allows students to participate and be exposed to real world studio/ lm environments that require the application of technical skills. Students will be exposed to industry specific regulations, techniques and processes. The course will teach basic lm terminology, professional set etiquette and production techniques, how to write broadcast television formats and develop writing skills related to broadcasting and film production.

• Open to 10-12th graders
• Concurrent Enrollment CU - Denver (3 College Credits)

This course provides an overview of the early childhood profession and the philosophical and historical foundations of services to young children and their families. State and national trends, resources and standards for early childhood care and education, professionalism, and code of ethical conduct are examined. Key areas of ECE professional knowledge are introduced: developmental domains and milestones, developmentally appropriate practice, evidence--based practice and intentional teaching, curriculum models, guidance strategies, family and community relationships, diversity and inclusion, and the leadership skills and organizational climate to support quality early care and education work settings.

It will be offered Fall 2020 and Fall 2022 (not Fall 2021).

• Open to 10th - 12th Graders
• One Semester Elective - 0.5 Credit
• Concurrent Enrollment CU - Denver (3 College Credits)

This course explores the relationship between language, identity, and power in various international contexts. The course considers how legacies of inequality for particular communities are reflected in societal attitudes about languages and language users and subsequent language planning. For questions please email: howenstein_wendy@svvsd.org

This course will be offered Fall 2020 and Fall 2022. It will not be offered Fall 2021.

• Open to 10-12th graders
• Concurrent Enrollment CU - Denver (3 College Credits)

This eld experience and seminar is designed to support your first foray into educator preparation. You will be introduced to the wide array of skills and practices that support working effectively with youth in the context of their local community. Working within the community to support children’s academic and social development requires a disposition of being grounded in the community—the experiences of this seminar, paired with your work at a local school or community organization will help you to develop this grounding.

Offered both Fall and Spring each year.

• Open to 10th - 12th Graders
• One Semester Elective - 0.5 Credit
• Concurrent Enrollment CU - Denver (3 College Credits)

This course is designed to provide a basic introduction to special education and the needs of students who have disabilities. It includes introductory material regarding legal and historical foundations of special education, human growth and development, the nature of disabilities, and an introduction to the basic human needs that must be addressed. For questions please email: howenstein_wendy@svvsd.org

This course will be offered Fall 2021 and Fall 2023. It will not be offered Fall 2022.

• Open to 10-12th graders
• Concurrent Enrollment CU - Denver (3 College Credits)

The STEM Methods course is a framework-based class where students will develop a rm understanding of the STEM for All framework, focusing on integration, innovation, essential skills, personalization, adaptation and connection. This framework will support the development of a STEM mindset, and by learning these processes, students will create STEM-aligned lesson plans for any content or grade. This learning will occur by students taking on the role of a learner and participating in a learning experience. Reflections will be held discussing what frameworks were used to design the lesson. Finally students will use these skills to plan and carry out their own STEM-aligned lessons.

Offered this Spring 2021, it will not be offered Spring 2022. It will be offered again Spring 2023.

• Open to 10th - 12th Graders
• One Semester Elective - 0.5 Credit
• Concurrent Enrollment CU - Denver (3 College Credits)

This course focuses on the study of human growth, development and ecology from conception to adolescence. The emphasis is on the major theories of child growth and development and the implications of current research findings to better understand child development. For questions please email: howenstein_wendy@svvsd.org

This course will be offered Fall 2021 and Fall 2023, not Fall 2022.

• Open to 9- 12th graders
• One Semester Elective - .5 SVVSD Credit

After six weeks of successful participation students are eligible to participate in education specific internship in the P-TEACH pathway of their choice. Internships may be either paid or unpaid depending on qualifications and experience. Students may earn up to 1 elective credit for every 60 hours spent on the internship. Internship opportunities are individualized to match the interests and experience level of students. Current internship opportunities range from Community Schools, PreK, Elementary, or Secondary placements up to University and other community partners.

• Open to 10th - 12th Graders
• One Semester Elective - 0.5 Credit
• Concurrent Enrollment CU - Denver (3 College Credits)

This course explores and applies classroom strategies to promote social competence, build classroom community and facilitate emotional regulation. An emphasis is on understanding development within group contexts, observing children’s behavior and engaging with families to make decisions about learning. For questions please email: howenstein_wendy@svvsd.org

This course will not be offered 2021. It will be offered Spring 2022.

- Open to student with prior approval of their instructor ONLY

This course is an opportunity for students to create a self-directed project based on previous STEM experiences. Interested students will coordinate with the specific IC instructor in their chosen focus area to complete a project proposal and decide on what block within the day to schedule their co-op. Students will complete 50 contact hours of work during the semester. It is assumed that a student approved for Co-Op has sufficient maturity and motivation to individually pursue and complete a self-initiated study with minimal supervision.

Open to all 9-12th graders that have completed Design Foundations

Introduction to Product Design builds on the Design Foundations Course in that it provides students the opportunity to continue building their design skills around the field of product design. Students will learn how to research, ideate, sketch, render, 3D model, and present concepts for products that would be used in everyday life. In addition, weekly critiques and showcases will allow students to participate in the critique process and learn from one another, learning how to be part of teams and collaborate on projects. Students will be asked to keep a sketchbook which will be part of the course. As design becomes an ever more important field in that it can add significant value to companies products and operations, this course seeks to enable students to get a head start in the field of design and learn more about it as a career opportunity.

Open to all 9-12th graders that have completed Design Foundations

Imagine if you could learn how to design Cars, Bikes, Skateboards, Plane interiors, and more in high school! That is precisely the goal of this class. While the field of Transportation Design exists in colleges and universities around the world, it is not taught at the high school level. This class builds on the design foundations course taught at the Innovation Center to teach students how to design vehicle and vehicle interiors. Students would learn sketching and rendering techniques specific to vehicle design, as well as information about proper vehicle proportions, how to package a vehicle, how to think about cars from a design and engineering standpoint, and how to think about vehicle interiors.

Open to all 9th - 12th Graders

This course teaches the basics of design including: what design is, sketching, drafting, rendering, presentation, the critique process, concepting an idea and translating it to a design brief. In addition,
this course will give students a taste of the various types of industrial design they can continue with - transportation and mobility,
product, and Human Machine Interface. Students will be asked to keep a sketchbook which will be part of the course.

Open to all students that have completed Introduction to Game Design

Building on the skills learned in Introduction to Game Design, students will design, develop, and program games in Unity. Students will continue to refine their skills in modeling, game theory, and working with the Unity interface. At the end of the course students will have the opportunity to apply the skills they learned to build their own 3D games.

Open to all 9-12th graders

This class is equally applicable to those who are interested in understanding AR & VR technologies as well as those who want to use these as tools for solving real-world challenges. Students are introduced to a variety of applications and experiences employing project-based learning techniques which will be used to develop solutions in such areas as societal, industry, academic and community challenges. Working individually and as teams, participants will employ principles of Design Thinking, Project Management, Engineering and the Arts to create new and innovative solutions covering a variety of real-world topics. Projects may include work with industry partners and commercial mentors.

(.5 credit)

• Open to all 10-12th graders who have completed a prior computer science course, open to 9th graders with a teacher’s recommendation

This is an introductory course to video game programming, design, and video game art. Students will learn the principles and practice of modeling, applying textures and materials to those models, and rendering them with appropriate lighting. Additionally, students will be introduced to the game design theory behind designing an enjoyable, balanced game. At the end of the course students will have the opportunity to apply the skills they learned to build their own game.

This course introduces students to the principles of and skills required to develop unique experiences and applications utilizing Augmented (AR), Virtual (VR), and Mixed Realities (MR) across a variety of use case scenarios. Participants will have access to state-of-the-art AR/VR technologies such as 360 degree video cameras, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift S, Oculus Quest, Oculus Go, Windows VR, and Samsung Odyssey. Being able to develop VR and AR experiences gives each student cutting edge knowledge in an industry in need of talented staff. The average starting salary for a developer in this field is $75,000 a year. Learning in this field allows students to build technical literacy and express creativity in an immersive engaging computer aided design field.

Open to all 9-12th graders (No prerequisites)

508,000 That is the number of jobs that are currently unfilled in the field of Cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is an in-demand field that affects all industries. Cybersecurity threats are ongoing and pose risks for individuals and corporations alike. In this course, students will learn how to protect themselves and businesses from these attackers. This course will delve into the following topics: Citizen Security, Encryption, Types of Attacks, Networking, Cyber Defense, Ethics and Law, and Risk Management. We will use hands-on activities with industry tools to engage students.

Open to all 9-12th graders (Coding knowledge preferred, but not required)
The cost of the certification exam is $59 and students will pay for their own certification.

Python is an extremely versatile language that is used by startups and tech giants in the field such as Google, IBM, Drop Box, and Facebook to list a few. In the first quarter of this course, we will go through the basics of Python including: data types, variables, conditional statements, looping, functions, text files, and OOP. In the second half of this course, we will apply our Python programming knowledge to Cybersecurity related needs such as password cracking, automating systems, ethical hacking, and forensics. At the end of this course, students will have the opportunity to take the PCEP - Certified Entry Level Python Programming Certification.

Must have completed either intro to Cybersecurity (CTE80120) or Cyber Patriots
Open to 10-12th graders
This course will be an introduction to the principles and techniques associated with the cybersecurity practice known as penetration testing or ethical hacking. The course covers planning, reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, post-exploitation, and result reporting. The student discovers how system vulnerabilities can be exploited and learns to avoid such problems. Students can practice what they have learned in a cloud based infrastructure with hands-on labs. These labs will simulate real life scenarios and will be accessible on any device that has a browser and an internet connection.

Open to 10-12th graders (students who have passed IT Fundamentals or by instructor approval)
Students who pass this class will pay for their own certification test - $90

The CompTIA Network+ program covers a wide range of knowledge and skills that apply to a variety of networking job roles and career paths. Topics covered include developing a fundamental knowledge of network design, terminology, hardware and software components, connectivity methods, standards, and configurations. Students will perform a variety of hands-on labs leading to the design and installation of SOHO (Small Office Home Office) networks. Upon completion students will achieve fundamental skills in wired, wireless, cellular and mobile network connectivity, maintenance, security and troubleshooting,

- Open to all 11-12th graders (and exceptional 9th & 10th graders with prior Apple product knowledge)
- Fall & Spring Semesters

ACMiT is designed for students who have experience with Apple devices computers; offering the same curriculum used to train Geniuses in Apple Stores. Students who succeed in this class will be able to take certification exams assessing their knowledge of the following devices: MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook Pro and more. Students passing these official Apple certifications will be eligible to work on the Innovation Center Tech Team. Graduating certified students will work with Apple representatives to find placement in tech jobs at Apple and on college campuses.

Open to 9th-12th graders (prerequisite of IT Fundamentals or Instructor Approval)
Students who pass this class will pay for their own certification test - $90

The Comp TIA A+ program is the first of two classes preparing students to achieve the CompTIA Industry A+ Certification, the most widely recognized certification in the Information Technology industry. Combining classroom instruction, hands-on labs, and industry design sessions, students are exposed to a wide variety of issues ranging from design/build of computing devices (desktops, laptops, mobile devices and other), networking, communications and storage technologies. This class is intended for those who already have extensive computer experience across multiple platforms, and those who have passed IT Fundamentals.

Open to all 9-12th graders (No prerequisites)
Students who pass this class will pay for their own certification test - $90

IT Fundamentals introduces students to the Information Technology field; including computer hardware & software support, customer service, networking, security, and computer design. This class serves as both an introduction to computers and computing as well as being a precursor to the CompTIA A+ program. The ITF+ program is intended for beginners with no prior computer knowledge with students who succeed in this class will being eligible to take the CompTIA IT Fundamentals certification. This program combines hands-on experiential learning with classroom instruction.

Open to 9th-12th graders (prerequisite of IT Fundamentals or Instructor Approval)
Students who pass this class will pay for their own certification test - $90

A+ Software is the second of the two classes required of students to take the CompTIA A+ Industry Certification, the most widely recognized certification in the Information Technology industry. Students will understand a wide variety of issues covering operating systems, applications, utilities and troubleshooting tools and techniques including such areas as networking and cybersecurity. This class is intended for those who have extensive computer experience across multiple Operating Systems, and those who have passed IT Fundamentals.