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SA2U Class Catalog

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Animal Biology (Grades 6-8, In-person or Online): Explore branches of biology, including naturalist observation, conservation biology and marine biology. Study and dissect animals from different taxonomic classes including a dogfish shark to investigate their skeletal and soft tissue structures. Get a local view of cutting-edge conservation science and plan to make a difference. Instructor: Allison Fritts-Penniman

Conservation Biology (Grades 6-8, 9-12, In-Person or Online): Become a conservation biologist in your local community. Learn from a biodiversity scientist how biologists study plants and animals and monitor their responses to human impacts. Collect research-quality data about local plant and animal species, contribute your data to the online database iNaturalist, and meet some of the scientists who use those data to understand the problems facing many plant and animal species around the world. You will explore solutions to those problems and research a thoughtful plan to help conserve a species of your choice. Instructor: Allison Fritts-Penniman

Marine Biology (Grades 2-12, In-Person or Online): Take a journey through our ocean’s ecosystems! Where animals the size of a pin to animals bigger than a bus live and interact in various types of environments. Learn about kelp forests and deep sea bottoms, as well as the impacts we humans have on each of these places. Watch a squid dissection and follow-along with a model squid. Learn about the unique animals that live under the sea! Instructors: Allie Tissot, Eric Sliter (In-person only), Allison Fritts-Penniman

Microbiology: Coming soon!

Medical & Scientific Illustration (Grades 9 - 12, Online): New! Learn traditional medical, biological and/or botanical illustration techniques using graphite and pen/ink, including stippling, crosshatching, and line drawings. Through these techniques you'll explore the world through a different lens as you learn how to bring the smallest and even hidden details to the surface in your drawings. Then discover how these skills can benefit you as a creative career in many forms of illustration that interest you. Lead Instructor: Alice Hill (Online only)

Nature & Comics (Grades 1-8, In-Person or Online): Fine tune your nature observation skills and tune in to nature's sound system. Create characters inspired by your nature observations and learn to communicate through comics. Employ the techniques of professional cartoonists to tell your own nature story. Engage your readers and communicate effectively in words and art. Lead Instructor: Rachael Pecore-Valdez

Nature Photography (Grades 6-12, In-person or Online): Learn about photography through exploring your surroundings. This course is an introduction to nature photography using digital cameras or smartphones. Master the basic controls on your camera while learning about composition, perspective and light as you get up close with local flora. Find the beauty in the everyday and create unique images. Collaborate with classmates to choose the best photos to share and present in a final slideshow. Lead Instructor: Ellen Regal

Reading Nature (Grades 6-8, 9-12, In-person or Online): Engaging biology students with evidence from the living world. From molecules to organisms, ecosystems to earth systems, understand the structures, processes, interactions, energy and dynamics that define Planet Earth. Based on "Reading Nature" curriculum by the National Science Teachers Association Press, aligned to Next Generation Science Standards. Lead Instructor: Rachael Pecore-Valdez

Create & Illustrate a Storybook (Grades 2-4, In-Person or Online): Write and illustrate your own storybook. Learn the basic elements of story writing: character, dialogue, setting, plot and action. Write your story and use colored pens, pencils or paint to create illustrations to accompany your work. Create a one-of-a-kind storybook to share with friends and family. Instructor: David Rutiezer or Frank Young

Speech & Debate (Grades 6-12, In-Person or Online): Learn the basics of public speaking and experience what it is like to be on a debate team. Read, watch and analyze great speeches. Practice extemporaneous speaking and debating on an array of topics. Instructors: Caren Graham, Carolyne Haycraft

From Page to Stage (Grades 9-12, In-Person or Online): Let your voice be heard! Looking for a safe, creative space to test your writing, delivery or improv skills with a social justice lens? This class is for you! Have fun learning how to deliver a knockout speech while gaining interpersonal and communication skills. The course incorporates speech writing skills, improv techniques and theatre games. Additionally, learn about the history of Oregon and the state's racial and gender justice. Culminate the week by designing a performance and/or writing a speech on a topic of your choosing. Lead Instructor: Carolyne Haycraft

Creative Writing (Grades 5-12, In-Person or Online): Unlock your creative writing potential. Learn how to turn your ideas into rich, imaginative prose and poetry. Use professional writing techniques such as writing from memory, free-writing and sensory awareness. Free your imagination and access all the brilliant words that you have to share. Writing exercises will focus on key concepts such as image, description and voice. Instructor: Stacy Carleton or David Rutiezer

Creative Writing: A World in Words (Grades 6-8, In-person or Online): Write a work of fiction, a short story or a chapter book. Practice the techniques of writing and storytelling, including how to put a story together, how to be a better writer and how to create characters and settings that make a story come alive. Discuss things like flashbacks, and what to do if you get stuck in a story. Focus on a creative project of your choice. Instructor: Frank Young

The Power of Words, Action & Dance to Create Change (Grades 1-12, In-Person or Online): Write stories, compose songs and choreograph dances to inspire positive change. Learn cooperation and teamwork, community connection, mindfulness and social-emotional skills, including listening, sharing, empathy and kindness. Acquire greater awareness and understanding of math concepts via the art forms of music and dance Develop new spacial awareness, improved motor skills, posture, a sense of physical presence, poise, self-esteem and confidence. In addition, improve their communication skills by listening, speaking, sharing and singing together in caring community. Instructor: Rachel Lidskog-Lim

Improvise It! (Grades 2-12, In-person): Engage in freestyle theatrical play with your peers as you invent characters and scenarios. Build the basics of improvisation and movement as you practice theater arts. Learn to rely on your wits and trust your instincts as you develop your communication skills. This course culminates in a final “Improv Showcase,” of theatrical games and long form presentations. Lead Instructor: Carolyne Haycraft

TED Talks (Grades 3-12, In-person or Online): What is your idea worth spreading? Learn how to share it with the world. Practice presenting from idea, content development to delivery. Instructor: Stacy Carleton

Chess for Beginners (Grades 2-6, In-person): Learn a game of critical thinking and strategy. This class will concentrate on piece movement and playing the game. As you play, you will learn tactics and how to determine whether you are winning. Discover how to evaluate a position, make a conclusion and execute a game plan. Lead Instructor: Justin Jones

Checkmate: Chess for Champions (Grades 2-6, In-person): Improve your chess game. Review chess piece movement and how to play the game. Then explore more advanced chess strategies, including: open and closed game openings, middle game tactics, and king and pawn or rook and pawn endings. You will develop your critical thinking skills as you learn how to evaluate a position and execute a game plan. Lead Instructor: Justin Jones

Girls Engage Technology (Grades 4-5, 6-8, In-person or Online options): Saturday Academy is dedicated to inspiring girls in technology and engineering, where women are currently significantly under-represented (e.g., women receive 19% of computer science bachelor's degrees). Our Girls Engage Technology (GET) program provides positive programming experiences to students who identify as girls to increase their confidence and interest in technology before and during middle school. Classes include Digital Game Design, Basic Coding & Beginning Robotics. Lead Instructors: Rawan Abdo, Farida Mishra

Programming from ‘Scratch' (Grades 4-5, 6-8, In-person or Online): Scratch is a kid-friendly, open-source, popular language developed by MIT’s Media Lab. Students learn the basics of computer game design and how key scientific concepts can be learned and practiced by playing an indie game. As students add more challenges to their games they build reasoning, design and problem-solving skills. No previous experience required. Lead Instructors: Rawan Abdo, Ramez Abdo (online only), or Barbara Miner.

Programming in Python (Grades 6-12, In-Person or Online): Learn Python®—a powerful, widely used, and versatile programming language—in this fun, hands-on class for new programmers. Design a trivia program and games like guess my number and word jumble all while learning concepts that apply to all programming languages. We recommend that students become familiar with and practice typing skills prior to programming classes--the faster you type, the faster you code! Click here for free online games and tutorials. Instructor: Farida Mishra

Game Design with Python® (Grades 6-8): Step into the world of game design with programming. Design your own game from beginning to end using Python. Understand the basics of the programming language and explore different ways of using it, to create your own space game! This class will go over the basics of variables, loops, functions, and libraries in Python. No prior knowledge of Python is required. Lead Instructors: Rawan Abdo, Ramez Abdo (Online only), or Farida Mishra.

Become a Scientist, Coder and Gamer with OHSU Biomedical Engineering (Grades 9-12, Online): What do scientists do all day and how do they do it? Study with an OHSU Biomedical Engineering research group and learn how computer technologies assist with their research into how molecules and cells work. Program a computer from scratch using the powerful language Python - the same language that is used by professionals all over the world. Students will be provided with the tiny but powerful Raspberry Pi computer for all their work. Lead instructors: Dr. Zuckerman & OHSU's Biomedical Dept.(Online only)

Intro to Mobile App Development (Grades 9-12, In-Person): Learn the basics of programming as you create apps for your iOS device. Teach robots to dance, create a fun game, make quiz apps, and more! Students are encouraged to bring an Apple iPhone or iPad to test their apps. There is a built-in, on-screen emulator for students who do not have an iOS device. Swift and Xcode are free apps available for Apple computers; they are not available for Windows. Instructor: Barys Zhiznevsky

Kinetic Machines: Rube Goldberg (Grades 4-8, In-Person): Engineer a contraption to perform a simple task by using cause and effect to produce a chain reaction. Design and build your contraption using everyday materials. Build a machine that includes an intricate series of imaginative steps while gaining hands-on engineering experience. Along the way, learn about the physics of energy conservation, inertia, forces and electric circuits. Check out http://tinyurl.com/sarubegoldberg to see an incredible example of a Rube Goldberg machine. Instructors: Dan Wells, Juhanna Robberts or Sandy Jewell

Intro to Engineering (Grades 8-10, In-person): Explore electrical engineering and the creative thinking and problem-solving of the design process. Learn the basics of circuit building and coding with the Arduino Uno student kit. Build circuits and see the results of your code in real time. Why Arduino Uno? Arduino boards are able to read inputs - light on a sensor, a finger on a button - and turn it into an output - activating a motor, turning on an LED. There are endless project capabilities using these boards, so the fun doesn't have to stop after this course! https://store.arduino.cc/usa/student-kit. Lead Instructors: Juhanna Robberts, Steve Delach, or Albert Lee

LEGO Robotics: (Grades 4-6, 6-8, In-Person): Learn to build and program LEGO EV3 robots that play music, make drawings, sort objects, or guard the yard like a dog, using sensors, motors, and logic programmed in Scratch. Lead Instructor: Paul Hanau

Engineering and Design Thinking (Grades 6-8, 9-12, In-person or Online): Learn about engineering design process - ask, imagine, plan, create, improve... Design and create projects with household items. Lead Instructor: Sunny Patil

Earthquake Engineering (Grades 6-8, 9-12, In-person): Build strong and stable structures with household items using an engineering process called Design Thinking (ask, imagine, plan, create and improve). The class is project based and includes resource and finance management from the perspective of an engineering firm. Lead Instructor: Sunny Patil

Harnessing Wind Power (Grades 6-8, 9-12, In-Person): Build a model wind turbine, design tower, blades and structures. Understand how mechanical energy converts into electrical Energy as well as the environmental footprint of wind energy. Lead Instructor: Sunny Patil

Girls Engage Technology (Grades 4-5, 6-8, In-person or Online options): Saturday Academy is dedicated to inspiring girls in technology and engineering, where women are currently significantly under-represented (e.g., women receive 19% of computer science bachelor's degrees). Our Girls Engage Technology (GET) program provides positive programming experiences to students who identify as girls to increase their confidence and interest in technology before and during middle school. Classes include Digital Game Design, Basic Coding & Beginning Robotics. Lead Instructors: Rawan Abdo

Power the Future (Grades 4-5, 6-8, In-person): Design and build machines that use wind and solar power to generate and store energy. Then create cars that are powered by the renewable energy generated by the cars. Learn about the physics involved in producing and storing renewable energy. Explore real-world challenges and design with creative solutions. Instructor: Juhanna Robberts, Steve Delach

Stories, Salmon and Social Justice (Grades 4-12, Online): Take a journey with Ed Edmo - a Shoshone-Bannock poet, playwright, performer, professional storyteller, tour guide and lecturer – through stories and photos of his life growing up in Celilo Falls on the Columbia River before and after it was flooded by the Dalles Dam. Learn about the art and craft of storytelling and explore your own stories and how they weave between environment, culture and society. Lead instructor: Ed Edmo

Emergency Preparedness & Urban Survival (Grades 9 -12, Online): Prepare, respond, survive. A little preparedness can go a long way in an emergency. Learn how to purify water, preserve food, build shelters, learn plant and animal identification and more. Create emergency plans on how to survive during and after natural disasters. When disaster strikes, every youth may need to take on a role. Lead Instructor(s): Sharon Ross (Online only)

Environmental Justice: Coming soon!

Climate Action Teams (All Grades, 2-12, Online): We'll start with the basic physical science behind our changing climate, and then focus on the social aspects of the changes underway -- and specifically, what roles young people can play in this ongoing transformation. Lead Instructor: Karen Wolfgang

History & Philosophy of Science (Grades 9-12, Online): Gain an in-depth understanding of the nature and evolution of scientific ideas, practices, and institutions; their contemporary significance to intellectual life; and their material transformation of the modern world. Instructor: Jakayla Robinson (Online only)

Water is Life (Grades 6-8, In-Person or Online): How does water sustain you? Life does not exist without water, the substance that covers two-thirds of our planet! Learn about the amazing properties of water, like how does ice float? Understand the bio-chemistry behind proper hydration and the critical role minerals play in our bodies as well as plants, seeds and movement. Students will conduct experiments, tracking their own hydration and performance over the weeks. Explore our local water as well as global issues. Instructor: GuruSurya Kaur Khalsa

Healthcare Careers (Grades 6-8, 9-12, Online): What’s it like being a health care professional taking care of patients or doing research? Meet medical professionals such as physicians, nurses and research technicians. Explore careers in the field of healthcare through presentations and hands-on workshops like how to take vital signs and conduct physical exams. Activities may vary based on the availability of professionals.

Public Health: Coming soon!

Your Brain on Mindfulness (Grades 7-8, 9-12, In-person or Online): Meditation and mindful movement can help one think clearly. But don’t take our word for it! Practice various modalities and observe the effects. Can your brain actually grow? Study the science behind the practices. Conduct your own self observations and record the results. Explore the other aspects of our nervous system as well. Learn simple, powerful techniques to live with less stress and more ease. Instructor: Guru Surya Kaur Khalsa

Algebra (In-person or Online): Learn core advanced algebraic topics: solving equations with two variables, exponential functions, parabolas and logarithms prior to the upcoming school year. Lead Instructor: LeKisha Moore

Calculus (In-person or Online): Work in teams to solve intriguing problems designed to reveal the big ideas behind core calculus topics including: definition of limits, continuous and discontinuous functions, instantaneous rate of change, definition of the derivative and definite integrals and area under a curve. Lead Instructor(s): LeKisha Moore, Roger Eiss

Calculus Study Group (In-person or Online): Work in teams to solve engaging, relevant problems designed to reveal the big ideas behind core calculus topics: definition of limits, continuous and discontinuous functions, instantaneous rate of change, definition of the derivative and definite integrals and area under a curve. Leverage your prior work, understanding and success in math. Optional practice problems are provided and students are encouraged to bring their current class work and questions to this cooperative study group setting for guidance. All level of calculus students welcome! Lead Instructor: Roger Eiss

Statistics (In-person or Online): Data is constantly collected, analyzed, interpreted and used in today's world for many different fields. Get a handle on statistics and basic data analysis, and discover deceptive statistics and learn how data can be analyzed to different ends. Lead Instructor: LeKisha Moore

The Art of Math (Grades 4-6, In-person or Online): Learn how strongly math and art are connected. Explore and draw the Fibonacci theory, Golden Rectangle and Rule of Thirds as they apply to paintings. Turn mathematical patterns into mesmerizing line designs. Create works from intricate M.C. Escher-like tesselations to incredible op-art using circles, arcs and parabolic curves. Instructors: Eric Sliter (In-Person Only), or Alice Hill (Online Only)

Astronomy - Intro to the Universe (Grades 6-8, 9-12, Online Only): Learn about the basics of astronomy and the universe. Our journey will take us to black holes, quasars, supernovas, brown dwarfs, and the string theory. We'll explore in depth on how we make observations from earth, and touch on the mechanics of optical telescopes that aid us in exploring the night sky. Instructor: Jakayla Robinson (Online only)

LEGO Physics (Grades 2-3, 4-5, In-Person): What is physics and how can it help to build things? Discover how simple machines like levers, pulleys and gears work. Construct a bridge and other devices, use gears and cams to add movement. Build your own movable projects and see structural design, mechanical engineering and physics in action. Instructor: Scott Isler

STEAM Tracks (Grades 2-4, 4-6, In-Person & Online): Explore the mind-boggling mysteries of our universe through science-tech-engineering-arts-math (STEAM). Meet your inner chemist and make polymers and non newtonian fluids. Discover programming logic. Crack secret codes. Show your engineering thinking through design challenges. Experience how art and math are truly connected! These are just a few stops you'll be making on your week long STEAM adventure! Instructor: Dan Wells

3D Design & Printing (Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12, In-Person): Exercise your creativity and explore a wide range of tools and techniques including the 3D printer, CNC router, computer-aided design (CAD), electronic circuit design, dying fabric, weaving and more. Instructor: Andy Dawes

SAT Prep (Grades 10-12, In-person or Online): Attention college-bound juniors and seniors: maximize your SAT scoring potential. Learn powerful test-taking techniques and strategies for improving your score. High scores on the SAT can help with admittance to the college of your choice and increase the size of potential scholarships. Get ready for the two required sections of the SAT: math and evidence-based reading and writing. For the math section, you will review the basic concepts of algebra and geometry. This review is especially important for students who are currently taking upper-level math and have been away from the basics for a while. Additionally, problems from third-year college preparatory math (including exponential growth, absolute value and functional notation) will be covered to give you an edge on the more advanced problems. Preparation for the critical reading section stresses vocabulary, reading comprehension and grammar skills. Click here for upcoming test dates. Lead Instructors: LeKisha Moore (Math), John Oppedisano (Math, In-person only), Stacy Carleton (Language Arts), Tina-Marie Baskin (Language Arts, Online Only)

ACT Prep (Grades 10-12, In-person or Online): The ACT is a widely accepted college entrance exam. Many students' strengths are better reflected on the ACT than the SAT as it more closely aligns with school curriculum. The ACT tests reading, math, science, and English, with an optional writing portion. There are clear differences between the ACT and the SAT, including: four answer choices instead of five for most sections, no penalty for wrong answers, and deeper questions requiring prior knowledge. Lead Instructors: LeKisha Moore (Math), Stacy Carleton (Language Arts), Tina-Marie Baskin (Language Arts, Online Only)

Career Development (Grades 9-12, Online Only): Learn the tools and mindset needed to succeed in today's economy. The course includes resume building, website/portfolio building, soft skills, creating a growth mindset, and learning how to learn. Instructor: Jakayla Robinson (Online only)

Organization Toolkit (Grades 7-8, 9-12, Online only): Decrease stress and increase productivity with useful techniques you can easily incorporate into your busy life. Begin by assessing and understanding your personal learning style. Turn piles into files through organization systems for your binder, backpack, locker and desk. Tackle time management issues starting with self-assessment, then review time trackers and calendaring strategies. Learn to set goals and break down projects while prioritizing what's important. Finally, stock your personal toolkit with effective strategies to communicate with teachers and practical techniques to develop and maintain a positive mindset. Instructor: Tina-Marie Baskin (Online only)

Harry's Thinking Hat (Grades 4-5, In-Person Only): Become a wizard at thinking! Increase your abilities to remember clearly, think critically, reason logically and solve problems creatively. The skills you learn will help you in the future, whether you are taking a science, writing or acting class in school; arguing with your friend about video games or going to Hogwarts to learn about magic potions! Instructor: Paul Kennison

Art Portfolio Development (Grades 10 -12, Online Only): Prepare your art portfolio for college applications with a six week intensive. Get personalized assignments that will strengthen your fundamentals and find fun ways to fulfill the requirements of a professional portfolio application. Receive feedback and career insight from professional artists working in the animation industry. Instructor: Luke Freitag

Character Development and World Building (Grades 4 6, 6-8, 9-12, Online Only): Learn to develop your creative story ideas! For this class, we will develop a “Pitch Bible”, a tool used in the Animation Industry to sell television show ideas to studios like Cartoon Network and Netflix. Students will learn the fundamentals of character development, character design and world building in order to bring their wildest imagined worlds to life on the page. Instructor: Luke Freitag

Comic Book & Graphic Novel (Grades 2-12, In-person & Online): Comic storytelling combines both writing and drawing to tell tales that span every genre. Create your very own comic that tells a unique, interesting and personal story. Learn techniques of professional cartoonists from narrative development to layout, penciling, inking, coloring, and lettering a final product. Communicate effectively through words and art. Lead instructor: Justin Rueff (Online only), Frank Young

Creative Arts Lab (Grades 1-12, In-person or Online): Use art, improv, and writing to see where your creativity takes you. Instructors: Stacy Carleton, Carolyne Haycraft

Digital Photography (Grades 6-12, In-person or Online): Photography is a wonderful way to discover the world around us. Beginning students learn the basic controls on digital cameras and tips to enhance pictures using different functions such as ISO, aperture and shutter speed. They discuss composition, lighting and perspective and learn how to best capture an image regardless of the lighting or weather conditions. In addition to improving camera skills, students learn how to save, edit and print their photographs. Lead Instructor: Ellen Regal

Drawing and Sketching (Grades 1-12, In-Person or Online): Using pencil, pen and markers students will create portraits of animals, people, plants and other subjects. Techniques for shading, contouring and perspective will be introduced and step-by-step instruction on how to draw will be given. Students will create a final piece of art to share with family and friends. Lead Instructors: Alice Hill (Online only), Kelly Fry, or Gary Sweet (Online only)

Electronic Music Production (Grades 6-12 In-person or Online): Get the tools and learn the basics of making your own music. Learn what makes up a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Cultivate an understanding of drum production, synthesis, sound design, music theory, songwriting and sampling. Create songs and beats inspired by genres like House, Hip-Hop, Lo-fi, Dubstep, Drum and Bass, and more! Students will be using Reaper, which works on Mac, Windows, and Linux systems. Intermediate Electronic Music Production is an option as a follow-up class for students who want to go further. Lead Instructor: Sasha Jelten

Illustration (Grades 9-12, In-person or Online): Work with a professional illustrator to further develop your personal style on a project of your choice. Explore a variety of media including pen and ink, water-color, pencils, or paint and experiment with symmetry, asymmetry, line, volume, and depth to make lively depictions of your chosen work. Discuss ways to implement your creativity outside the classroom, give in-class critique and how to navigate working with potential clients to offer illustration professionally. Lead Instructor: Kelly Fry

Intro to Animation (Grades 6-8, 9 -12, Online Only): Make your characters come to life with the power of animation. Learn the twelve principles of animation while using industry standard software. Gain insight into how your favorite cartoons are made and all the different jobs that go into making an animated television show. Create an animated scene of your very own, and then work together as a group to tie everyone's scenes together in a classic animation exercise known as “Exquisite Corpse.” Instructor: Luke Freitag

Intro to Storyboarding (Grades 9 -12, Online Only) Learn to “think like a director” as and learn about shot choice, thumbnailing, composition, acting, and everything else that goes into bringing a script to life on the tv screen. Storyboarding is a powerful artistic skill set that’s used in everything from animated tv shows to video game cutscenes to Marvel movies. Students will storyboard their own short story and create an ‘animatic’ that they can share online. Instructor: Luke Freitag

Sound Design/Synthesis (Grades 6-12, In-person or Online): Explore the different elements of a synthesizer and how to create the sounds you want. Lead Instructor: Sasha Jelten

Recycling into Art (Grades 3 to 12, Online only): Artists are inventors and as such they use the resources at hand to discover, create, and construct stories. Historical and contemporary precedents are used as examples. Supplies, tape, string, scissors, pencils, found items and any additional tools that artist/creators can procure. Instructor: Gary Sweet (Online only)