Dr. Jorgensen's Highland Highlights - April 22, 2019
April 22, 2019
Some very excited things are on schedule for implementation for the middle and high school students starting next fall. The Highland CSD is committed to increasing the rigor of upper level Math and Science curriculums; and to be the leader in Robotics and Aerospace Engineering in the state of Iowa. With the addition of new staff, expansion of programming and exciting new partnerships, students are going to have excellent opportunities provided for them starting the fall of 2019.
The district has added a new science teacher to the secondary level that will allow new programming for implementation. The addition of the Agriculture Greenhouse is adding new courses in Animal Science, Horticulture, Soils and Ag Business. These will be in addition to the current offerings in Ag I, Ag II, Ag Construction, Ag Mechanics and Small Engines. The Agricultural Science Department will have 1.5 Full-Time Equivalent instructors.
The new science instructor will also allow the district to continue in its First in the state of Iowa Implementation of Aerospace Engineering. Starting in 2019-2020, the course will be offered in two period blocks. Course 1: Fundamentals of Aerospace Technology will be offered during the first semester and Course 2: Advanced Aerospace Technology will be offered during the second semester. Course 3: Aeronautics Engineering Applications and Course 4: Astronautics Engineering Applications will be added in subsequent years so that ultimately a student will be able to complete the four-course sequence over a two-year period of time. Within the last two weeks, the district has had communications with the University of Iowa College of Engineering and Indian Hills Community College. We are still working on the details, but there will be a partnership with these institutions that will allow students to articulate their work in high school to the post-secondary engineering programs. This is very exciting. We are working to form an academy, paring the Aerospace courses with dual credit academic courses. We also have interest from at least two other school districts in participating in these offerings in the future.
The district has recently hired a new Math Instructor who has the certification to teach A.P. Calculus. We are exploring as to whether or not to teach the course as A.P. or as a dual credit course with Kirkwood. More information on that will be coming soon. We will continue to offer the Kirkwood Music Appreciation course on campus as well. We will offer the Calculus course on one end of the Aerospace courses and Music Appreciation on the other, allowing a 4 period block that will articulate and/or transfer into a post-secondary program.
The middle school exploratory program is also getting a boost by connecting with these courses. This includes a 7th grade Hospitality Arts exploratory that will tie into the Culinary Arts program, which started two years ago. We are also offering a new 7th grade Engineering Technology class at the same time as the high school Robotics class is operating. The Robotic students will have the chance to model and mentor young students as a part of this class. There will also be an 8th grade Engineering Technology exploratory at the same time as the Aerospace offering, once again giving us an opportunity for exposure to these offerings.
The district is committed to 21st century skills in math, science and advanced careers and are excited to be to be a leader in the state of Iowa in Robotics and Aerospace Engineering Technology.
