Innovation & STEM Elective Courses

Course Length: Year

Grade Level: 9-12

A-G Designation: None

Prerequisites: None

Mater Dei's Aviation I class utilizes the high school curriculum of the largest aircraft nonprofit in the world, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. This course will provide an introduction to flying, the history of aviation, aerospace engineering, unmanned aircraft systems and other recent updates in the industry. It will also dive into the subsectors of aviation in terms of innovation, real-world challenges, economics, and career opportunities.

Course Length: Year

Grade Level: 9-12

A-G Designation: “G” – College-Preparatory Elective

NCAA: NCAA-approved course – Mathematics

Prerequisites: None

This year-long course is designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of computer science and cultivate their coding skills. Students will develop a solid foundation in programming through the exploration of essential concepts which include data types, sequencing, selection (if-else statements), iterations (for and while loops), algorithms, and basic data structures such as arrays and lists. 

The course will commence with block coding, allowing students to grasp coding concepts visually before transitioning to writing text-based code using Swift and Python. Students will learn the syntax and structure of these programming languages, enabling them to express their ideas through code effectively. Emphasis will be placed on the development of effective debugging and collaboration skills, which are vital for successful programming.  

To reinforce their coding skills, students will engage in captivating capstone projects, coding exercises, and labs that provide practical applications for their knowledge. Key projects will include developing an app using Swift, creating a computer game using block coding, programming Lego Mindstorms bots and Spheros, Arduino programming, and writing code to solve interactive puzzles in Swift Playgrounds. By the conclusion of this course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of coding concepts and will possess proficiency in foundational programming. They will have honed their debugging and collaboration skills, preparing them for advanced coursework such as AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A. 

Course Length: Year 

Grade Level: 9-12 (no experience required)

A-G Designation: “D” – Laboratory Science (Engineering)
NCAA: NCAA-approved course – Natural/Physical Science

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in Algebra I or higher Math course and Biology or a higher-level Science course. 

The course is designed to introduce the basic principles of engineering through robotics-based projects.  Students will learn engineering practices throughout the semester covering the primary topics of Computer Aided Design (CAD), programming, and basic mechanical and electrical areas.

Students will have hands-on learning with scaffolded projects that will eventually lead to the designing and building of a robot with motors, controllers, sensors, and other mechanical features.  Students will be acquainted with the design process using CAD and the classroom 3D Printer.

Students will also develop practical application of the engineering process through case studies analysis and their collaborative group work throughout the year.

Course Length: Year

Grade Level: 10-12

A-G Designation: “D” – Laboratory Science (Engineering) 

NCAA: NCAA-approved course – Natural/Physical Science

Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 or a higher Math course with grades of C or better, both semesters. Recommended (not required) completion of the Robotics and Engineering 1 course. Recommended (not required): concurrent participation on the MDHS Robotics Team.

Robotics and Engineering 2 explores the interaction between science, technology and engineering in the context of mechanical and electrical machines.  Standards of physics including: motion, forces, rotation, energy & heat as well as electricity and magnetism are brought together in a hands-on engineering environment.  Each of the STEM components of science, technology, engineering and mathematics are implemented consistently.  The Arduino microcontroller provides the brains and communication framework necessary to control motors, displays and sensors.  Students will engage in designing & building devices to both understand physics & mathematical concepts as well as the steps of the scientific method.  

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction to the engineering process including: engineering design, mechanical structure, electrical systems, computer programming and scientific principles.  Students will understand that these components are linked together and interact as they take an idea or problem from its original conception to its final form.

In this hands-on lab course, students will explore the interaction between science, technology and engineering to solve mechanical, electrical and engineering design problems. Students will develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to real-world challenges such as energy sources and applications, machine systems, fluid power, testing the strength and durability of materials, understanding how things move and applying that knowledge to projects. Each of the STEM components of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are implemented consistently throughout this yearlong course. Students will also learn how to document their work, communicate their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community, as well as have the opportunity to investigate engineering and other high-tech careers. Special Note: In order to receive credit for this honors course, all students must produce a career exploration report that will be completed in steps throughout the year. 

Course Length: Year

Grade Level: 11-12 (interested 10th grade students, reach out to Department Chair)

A-G Designation: “C” – Mathematics*
NCAA: NCAA-approved course – Mathematics*

Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 with a “B” or better in both semesters. Completion of Intro to Coding and concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 or a higher Math course strongly recommended. 

*This course counts as Elective credit towards Mater Dei High School graduation requirements

A comprehensive course that provides students with a strong foundation in object-oriented programming using the Java language, AP Computer Science A is designed to be equivalent to a first-semester, college-level computer science course and covers essential programming concepts and problem-solving techniques. 

Students will master data types, objects, boolean expressions, and if-else statements to make decisions within their programs. They will also gain proficiency in utilizing various iteration structures such as for, while, and for-each loops, enabling them to manipulate data and control program flow effectively. Another key aspect of the course is developing expertise in working with data structures such as arrays, arraylists, and 2D arrays which are fundamental to organizing and manipulating data efficiently. Also covered are various sorting algorithms such as bubble sort, selection sort, insertion sort, merge sort, and quick sort which simulate real-world scenarios. Inheritance, a core concept of object-oriented programming, will be extensively covered and students will understand how classes can inherit properties and behaviors from other classes, allowing for code reuse and facilitating modular design. Furthermore, students will be introduced to recursion, a powerful technique for solving problems by breaking them down into smaller, self-referential functions. 

Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge through engaging coding assignments such as creating chatbots, drawing apps, and College Board approved labs. The primary goal of this course is to prepare students for the end-of-course AP Exam. Additionally, the course aims to prepare students for future careers in computer science, providing them with a solid foundation for further study and professional growth.