Programs of Study
Junior Year
All students take the same courses except for electives. Class size rarely exceeds 16 students. Active engagement characterizes everything. The school day runs 8 to 4, except Wednesdays, 8 to 12. Required courses follow:
Physics uses a mathematical approach to investigate connections between concepts, equations, and graphs. Through classroom discussions and collaborative work, students learn mechanics, gravitation, electricity, magnetism, waves, and harmonic oscillations. With guided supervision, students are required to design and build their own labs. Students analyze their data using statistical methods, and report findings in magazine-styled printouts, poster boards, PowerPoint slideshows, and other formats.
Mathematical Modeling shows how mathematics is used to analyze and model the natural and man-made worlds. In the process, the student learns the properties and applications of algebraic, geometric, trigonometric and statistical functions and techniques that appear in traditional high school mathematics up to and including calculus. Eschewing a textbook approach, the course teaches through open-ended problem solving, extensive computer simulations, and collaborative work.
Humanities is the study of Western Civilization from its origins to the present, with a primary focus on literature and a secondary focus on history, philosophy, and the arts. Students learn the methodology needed to demonstrate their understanding of literary and non-literary movements and influences via formal essays, discussions, group projects, and class presentations.
STEM I and II (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) consists of two sequential courses that promote scientific research and engineering methods. STEM I requires students to conduct independent research: review the literature, develop researchable questions, relate evidence and inference, make conjectures, design experiments, iterate, communicate, etc. so that students start to think like young scientists, engineers and mathematicians. The outcome is a school-wide science fair exhibit and advancement to regional and state science fairs for the best projects. STEM II requires students to work in small teams to engineer a new product or process, usually an assistive technology device. Students utilize the engineering design process to search patents, apprentice in shops and labs, build prototypes, and demonstrate their products to a panel of expert judges. Each year, patent applications and, from time to time, patent awards emerge from these classes.
French and Spanish: The goal of these courses is oral proficiency. Both the Intermediate and Advanced classes are student centered and project based. Class discussions and activities take place exclusively in French or Spanish. Homework assignments are often submitted electronically using student made podcasts or as short presentations. Class materials include authentic literature, poetry, theatre, film, music, historical texts, and legends. Other activities may include movie making, independent research, special projects, games, and international conversation exchanges via internet. Students are assessed authentically and based on individual progress.
Computer Science develops computational thinking skills in students such as algorithm development and problem solving. Major areas of study are hardware, web development, discrete mathematics, and programming using the Racket language.
Science and Technical Writing demands that students value purpose, clarity, organization, mechanics, and even appeal when writing about topics in science and technology. Assignments consist of research papers, short essays on topics in science and nature, and technical reports. Students participate actively as both writers and self editors, and their writing is drafted, re-written, and, in some cases, submitted for publication.
Electives (1 per quarter) allow students to explore topics of interest with less intensity than core courses. Recent electives include drawing, watercolor, programming, cooking, turbo kickboxing, photography, music, astrophysics, German, creative writing, electronics, wind energy, poetry, movie making, and robotics.
Senior Year Program
Seniors enroll fulltime at WPI and so complete a year of college: 12 courses, 3 per term, one each in science, math, and humanities. Seniors usually select freshmen or sophomore level courses, but Academy students have done well in upper level classes including graduate work in mathematics. In addition, seniors complete an independent study project.
Science: The most common choices are physics, chemistry, computer science, biology and mechanical engineering.
Mathematics: The most common choices are the 4-term Calculus sequence or, for the more advanced students, the Introduction to Analysis sequence.
Humanities: Of the four required courses, two must be in English. Preferred classes include Shakespeare, Intro to Poetry, American Literature, and Elements of Writing. Sometimes students partially fulfill the four-course requirement with one or two classes in the social sciences, such as American History.
Senior Independent Study Project: SISP requires students to pursue a subject that is new to them outside of the classroom. Example projects include American quilt-making, EMT training, learning Japanese, glass blowing, ballooning, interning in a UMass Medical School lab, and starting a web page development business.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: September 30, 2011 16:42:41