Academics

In 3D art, students will learn about different forms of three-dimensional art. Students will be exposed to different 3D art mediums, and they will build their creative skills through the elements and principles of design. Students will design and construct realistic and abstract sculptural forms using a variety of materials, tools, and techniques. Projects will include Lego art, recycled art, and ceramic art using our pottery wheel.

Creative writing is a form of writing that encompasses a number of different genres and styles outside the more formal scope of technical writing or academic writing. Creative writing focuses on elements such as character development, narrative, and plot, infusing its structure with imagination and personal stories. Students will explore the hero's journey as well as find their own voice in poetry and free verse.

At the Arts & Innovation Magnet Program, students will have the opportunity to learn basic dance and choreography skills from our passionate teacher, Mrs. Wood. During this mini-academy, students spend 45 minutes each day for four consecutive weeks engaged in an experience that develops key knowledge, understandings, and success skills related to dance and choreography. During the student's time in the dance room, they will not only study and learn various styles of dance (jazz, ballet, hula) but also take time to understand the purpose and meaning of choreography and how choreographers go about creating their unique pieces using the elements of dance (BASTE - body, action, space, time, energy). Dance is an integral part of the AIM experience and through this Mini Academy, students will discover new ways to express their individuality, discover more of his or her creativity and self-confidence through the art of dance.

In the Engineering Mini-Academy, students will explore the basic properties of both series, and parallel circuits, by creating artist paper circuits. Students will have numerous opportunities to build different circuits challenges (creating radios, disco lights, and more). For their final project, student will design and create an artist drawing that has a simple circuit light incorporated into it. After circuits, students will spend the remaining time, explore and creating using the 3D printers in the Marker Space. Students will be able to learn valuable skills using the program Tinker cad, as well as Thingiverse design site. Students will complete this portion of our Mini-Academy with their own custom 3D-printed object - designed, created, and printed by them!

The makerspace and robotics lab at CFIT, dedicated to former BCSS Innovator Ed Morrison, is a facility unlike any other, and is the envy of many other school systems. This enormous 5,400+ square foot space is dedicated to the encouragement of invention and discovery through tinkering, making, and engineering. The space is equipped with:

• Eight 3D Design & Printing Stations
• Standard, Large Format, and Resin 3D Printers
• Two Mac Design Stations
• Vinyl Cutting Machine
• Four FLL Robotics Dual Competition Fields
• One FTC Robotics Competition Field
• Lego EV3 Mindstorms Robotics components
• REV Robotics components
• Construction Tools & Materials
• Electronics & Microprocessor Supplies and Materials
• Project Tables

Students will participate in a fun and energizing mini academy full of heart rate raising activities. Use of technology, like the Oculus and Blaze Pod, will be introduced to further engage students in active play. Students will also learn the importance of teamwork through team sports and group relay races. While in this mini academy, students will learn to enjoy being active and participating in physical activities.

The Journalism Mini-Academy focuses on fostering our students' ability to communicate through a variety of mediums. During each rotation, students are responsible for creating AIM's daily morning announcements. The goal is a finished product for each day that is fully student created, from the script to the filming to the editing process.  Students must collaborate with their group to plan and realize their vision for their assigned day. It is their responsibility to gather necessary information, plan a script and filming outline and finally publish an edited version to share with the rest of the school. Each group works to put their own unique personality into their creations. Students will also participate in special projects such as taking photos for possible inclusion in our annual yearbook.

The oratorical arts mini academy will prepare students for public speaking in a variety of settings. They will gain confidence and skills as they prepare not only for school, but for future, academic and professional endeavors.

In Visual Arts, students learn elements of art through hands-on applications. Our students have the opportunity to explore and create using different mediums and learn techniques such as blending, shading, color theory and much more!