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| Course Descriptions |
Each student selects from the listing of courses to create a personal schedule. Students take three courses daily. Students should select a first choice and second choice course, for each class period (one, two and three). We ask that students choose alternative courses in case a selected class is at capacity or doesn't run at one of the sites due to underenrollment for that course. We also encourage students to apply early to increase their chances of getting their first course choice. |
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In this section:
Courses for students currently in grades 5 & 6
Courses for students currently in grades 7 & 8 |
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| Courses for students currently in grades
5 & 6 |
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| PERIOD 1 |
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| NEW! The Past is Present: Anthropology in Action (DP41): |
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| Have you ever wondered
why rituals and traditions play such a big role in the world? Or what we can learn from
excavating centuries old structures? Anthropology is the study of humans, what we
know, what we think about, and even what we still question. Anthropology studies
behavior and traditions of humans, both in the present day and in the past. Investigate
a culture and determine what social and cultural influences lead to their current
culture. Create a fictional culture and trace the group’s path through the events of the
last century. What do you think future anthropologists will find fascinating about the
21st century? |
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| Chemistry: The Essential Element (DP44): |
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| Welcome to the laboratory that is the
world in which you live. Experiment with domestic chemicals, environmental materials,
foods, and living organisms to discover the chemical nature of substances,
their properties, reactions and uses in daily life. Design a series of experiments to
test your hypotheses about the reaction of substances. |
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| PERIOD 2 |
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| Going to Court (DP42): |
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| “All rise for the honorable judge….you!” Through the process
of enacting trials, you will experience the justice system of the United States. You’ll take on the roles of judge, jury, prosecutor, defender or witness. Through active
involvement in the courtroom drama, you will learn to organize facts, develop your
speaking and questioning abilities, and understand the concepts of justice through
jury deliberation. |
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| DNA: Your Unique Code (DP45): |
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| How do cells make copies of themselves? How do
your hair follicles generate protein to keep growing? The answers to these questions
are DNA replication and protein synthesis. Investigate the structure of DNA and the
processes by which it creates proteins. Learn what turns genes on and off. Gain an
understanding of the structure that holds all the information and controls every cell
within a living organism. Debate the ethical uses of DNA knowledge and the pros and
cons of biotechnology. |
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| PERIOD 3 |
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| NEW! Do You See What I See? (DP46): |
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Have you ever stared at an optical illusion
for hours, just wondering how the image was created, and how your mind was
tricked? Do you know why people see colors differently, and why some people and
animals only see certain colors, or even only in black and white? Investigate what
you can and can’t see with your eyes, learn about the anatomy of the eye, and how
glasses and contact lenses help to correct people’s vision. Research eye color and
pigmentation, and the science behind albinism and heterochromia, having eyes of
two different colors. Future optometrists and ophthalmologists, this class is for you! |
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| NEW! Sneaker Economics (DP47): |
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Do you own a pair of sneakers? Do you know anyone
who doesn’t? Did you know that an $80 pair of sneakers only has about $11 worth
of materials in it? Sneakers and athletic shoes are a multi-billion dollar industry and
are so much a part of our lives that they provide a great way to learn about economics,
technology and discovery, and innovation and design. In this class, students will
explore the development of the athletic shoe over the last 100 years, while learning
about the health and science of foot support as well as the economics and fashion
aspects of the sneakers industry. Design the perfect sneaker for a niche market! |
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| Courses for students currently in grades
7 & 8 |
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| PERIOD 1 |
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| NEW! The Female Warrior (DP74): |
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| In 2004, the 2,000 year-old remains of a female
warrior buried with her sword were found in Iran. Despite the popular version of history
that tells of how men conquered the world, there is evidence of strong, powerful
female leaders throughout the world’s history. Investigate female warriors from the
Tru’ng sisters of Vietnam to Joan of Arc. Evaluate the characteristics of powerful female
warriors and how these characteristics apply to modern women. Study the role
of female leaders and evaluate the changing role of women in business, politics and
the military. Create a prototype of the modern female warrior. |
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| Engineering in Action (DP76): |
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| Ever wonder how chemical, mechanical, electrical,
aeronautical, and civil engineers solve real world problems? Come learn basic engineering
principles surrounding stability of structures, buoyancy, heat phenomena,
and electricity. Perhaps you will use your interest in scientific and mathematical principles to design towns, factories, airplanes, toys, and other products that will enhance
your life in the future, or maybe you will pursue one of the many great career
opportunities that abound in engineering! |
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| Thinking Outside and Beyond the Box (DP79): |
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| In 1948, when George de Mestral made a connection between the burrs stuck to his pants and a way to fasten things together (which became Velcro), he was “thinking outside the box”. Here’s a class that will help you learn to do just that and perhaps come up with the next great idea! People who are able to make unique parallels and see new solutions will become our most valued problem-solvers of the future. Learn strategies and gain multiple perspectives that will assist you applying creative solutions to problems now and in your future. |
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| PERIOD 2 |
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| The Writer's Word Palette(DP70): |
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| Learn how to create a masterpiece of characterization
and setting. Build a vibrant vocabulary and learn the secrets to deciphering
new words. Explore the fascinating and often humorous world of word and phrase
origins. Increase your verbal reasoning skills. Gain experience and practice writing
effectively and creatively by analyzing and editing your own work. Discussions
about style, the structure of fictional pieces, and reader involvement will help you
understand the functions of writing as communication of knowledge as well as of
creative expression. |
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| Business Basics (DP80): |
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| What should be on a business card? How do you determine
if there is a market for your product or invention? This class will walk you through the process of making a business plan and implementing it. You’ll learn how to market a business successfully, while learning how to be a smarter consumer at the same time. |
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| Theories of Time Travel: Spacetime Physics and Wormholes (DP81): |
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| If we could unify quantum gravity, quantum mechanics, and general relativity into one theory, physicists argue that time travel would be possible. Journey with us through a study of black holes, negative energy, and cosmic strings as we research current theories of time travel. Study the experiments of physicists around the world and what they have revealed about paradoxes and mutable timelines. Create your own theory of time travel based on your research. |
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| PERIOD 3
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| Journey into Jurisprudence (DP72): |
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| “Hear ye, hear ye… the trial is about to begin.”
Mock courtroom drama will unfold as you become the players in a series of exciting
simulated trials that depict the way our legal system functions. The structure
of our court system, the functions of judge and jury, basic trial procedures and the
strategies that attorneys use to win cases will be explored. Develop your abilities to
organize and interpret facts, to ask questions, and to make effective decisions. |
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| NEW! Statistics: Methods in Data Analysis (DP73): |
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| Investigate statistical concepts
such as null, error, confidence and significance. Practice data analysis methods
including regression, contingency tables and analysis of variance. Extend your new
knowledge of statistical analysis by researching applied statistics in fields such as
actuarial science, business, psychology, and engineering. Keep a handle on your
fantasy baseball league by learning the statistical methods used to analyze games,
players, and more! |
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| Geometric Highlights (DP75): |
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| For math lovers who have not yet studied geometry,
here’s a chance for you to explore this fascinating field of math. Learn the secrets of
the Golden Rectangle and the Divine Proportion. Investigate the power of symmetry.
Topics may include the notion of proof, congruent triangles, perpendicularity, parallelism,
geometric inequalities, similarity, circles and spheres, area and volume, and
vectors. Pre-requisite: Algebra I |
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| Open House |
| Save the date! The Open House will be held on Saturday, April 24th at The Nueva School. |
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| The Nueva School |
| The Nueva School, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a nationally recognized independent school serving gifted and talented students. |
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| Academic Program |
| Courses are taught at levels appropriate
for academically gifted students who will have completed fifth through eighth grade,
covering humanities, mathematics and sciences, and multi-disciplinary
courses. |
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