Program of Studies Program of Studies 2018-19 | Page 41

user interfaces, and basic
engineering and business solutions.
AP Computer Science A (1 credit)
Grades 11 and 12
Prerequisites: Introduction to
Computer Programming or teacher
recommendation
Prepare yourself to launch into an
exceptionally fast-growing career
field: “Employment of software
developers is projected to grow
30 percent from 2010 to 2020”
(Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Software development is only
one of many career choices that
require computer programming
skills. Students planning on
pursuing careers in science,
engineering or mathematics will
also find computer science to be an
essential part of their studies.
This challenging class will
stress logically structured, well-
documented computer programs
while working with the JAVA
programming language. Students
who sign up for this class should
enjoy problem solving both
independently and on a team, and
be willing to spend 1-2 hours per
week working in the computer
lab at school or on their home
computer. All students are required
to take the AP Exam.
Introduction to Robotics (0.5 credit)
Grades 10, 11 and 12 (or 9 by
permission of instructor)
Basic electricity and electronics,
sensors, motors, actuators and
audio will start the year. Students
will then learn how to program
simple micro-computers that
are used in robotic systems – to
produce motion or respond to
control inputs. In teams of 2 – 3,
students will then design, build
and control a remote controlled
car and demonstrate their final
designs and race against each
other in a final competition. Some
basic knowledge of a programming
language such as Java or C will be
very helpful, but highly motivated
students will be able to learn the
programming required for this
class.
NEW MEDIA AND
DESIGN
Please note: Changes in the New
Media strand are in development.
New courses will be offered while
some listed here may not be
available. Students are advised to
consult school counselors for up-to-
date information.
Introduction to Technology &
New Media (0.5 credit)
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 with
priority given upper grade level
students
The world that we live in, the
world we experience is becoming
more and more dependent on
technology with each passing day
and this introductory class will
expose students to the basics of
creating and manipulating creative
elements of that technology.
Students will be exposed to basic
elements of web design, image
creation, video production, task
automation, and writing with digital
elements. This one semester,
survey course is designed to
expose students to the elements
of new media and design using
technology.
www.thorntonacademy.org
3D Art & Animation (0.5 credit)
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
This one semester course is
an introduction to the world
of computer graphics and
animation, and it will cover the
basic foundation of what you will
need to learn in order to design
computer games and short,
animated movies. What is learned
in this course can assist students
interested in working in the gaming
industry, graphic arts (marketing
and advertising firms) or in the
computer-generated movie
industry.
Digital Photography &
Photoshop I (0.5 credit)
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
Students will work extensively
with Adobe Photoshop, and also
utilize digital point-and-shoot
cameras, in this New Media class.
Working as a digital artist, each
student will be asked to create
original works of art. These unique
images can be used in interactive
web environments, in multimedia
presentations, as well as stand on
their own merit. Students will learn
in-depth knowledge of Photoshop,
the premiere digital editing
software program in the world.
Studio work will include the study
of proper design techniques and
photographic composition.
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