Project Lead the Way / STEM Programs

 

Introduction to Engineering Design (9th Grade)

Students dig deep into the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects. They work both individually and in teams to design solutions to a variety of problems using 3D modeling software, and use an engineering notebook to document their work.

Principles of Engineering (10th Grade)

Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation. In Principles of Engineering (POE), students develop skills in problem solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation , collaboration, and presentation

Computer Science and Software Engineering (11th Grade)

Using Python as a primary tool and incorporating multiple platforms and languages for computation, this course aims to develop computational thinking, generate excitement about career paths that utilize computing, and introduce professional tools that foster creativity and collaboration. The PLTW CSP course helps students develop programming expertise as well as explore the workings of the Internet and is designed to cover all learning objectives in the College Board’s AP CS Principles framework. Students work in teams to develop computational thinking and solve problems. Projects and problems include app development, visualization of data, cybersecurity, and simulation. The course does not aim to teach mastery of a single programming language but aims instead to develop computational thinking, to generate excitement about the field of computing, and to introduce computational tools that foster creativity

Engineering Design and Development - Capstone Course (12th Grade)

CAPSTONE COURSE. The knowledge and skills students acquire throughout PLTW Engineering come together in Engineering Design and Development as they identify an issue and then research, design, and test a solution, ultimately presenting their solution to a panel of engineers. Students apply the professional skills they have developed to document a design process to standards, completing Engineering Design and Development ready to take on any post-secondary program or career.

 

The rigorous and relevant four-course PLTW Biomedical Science sequence allows students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Students engage in activities like investigating the death of a fictional person to learn content in the context of real-world cases. They examine the structures and interactions of human body systems and explore the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health challenges of today and the future.

Principles of Biomedical Science (9th Grade)

In the introductory course of the PLTW Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine the factors that led to the death of a fictional person. While investigating the case, students examine autopsy reports, investigate medical history, and explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, basic biology, medicine, and research processes while allowing them to design their own experiments to solve problems.

Human Body Systems (10th Grade)

Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal Maniken®; use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration; and take on the roles of biomedical professionals to solve real-world medical cases.

Medical Interventions (11th Grade)

Students follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection, screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; evaluate cancer treatment options; and prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through real-world cases, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics.

Biomedical Innovation - Capstone Course (12 Grade)

CAPSTONE: In the final course of the PLTW Biomedical Science sequence, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. Students address topics ranging from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology. They have the opportunity to work on an independent design project with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility, or research institution

Robotics

Robotics combines the practical application of science and technology with the fun, intense energy, and excitement of a championship-style sporting event. Best of all, Archbishop Hannan students can get involved in Robotics as a class, or join the Robotics Club as an extracurricular activity.

The ultimate goal of the Hannan Robotics Club is to build a robot to play against other teams in game-based engineering challenges. A variety of STEM concepts are put to the test on the playing field as students learn lifelong skills in teamwork, leadership, communications, and more. 

Membership in the club is available to all students in grades 8th – 12th and no prior experience is required. Team members must demonstrate a willingness to learn and become an active and responsible member of the team.  

 

Video Production I

This elective course provides motivated students with a hands-on introductory experience in media production. Students will explore News Literacy (what is news, how to identify news values and the business of mass media) and News Gathering (basics of interviewing, and introduction to journalistic and scholastic research and data literacy). Students will develop proficiency in pre-production, production, and post-production procedures, such as scriptwriting, storyboarding, interviewing, operating the video camera, framing shots, 41 Revised January 25, 2023 adjusting audio levels and editing. This course requires students to participate in reflection and critique of both their own work as well as that of their classmates. Students will have the opportunity to film and to create videos for activities and events occurring in the Hannan community. Students will also be introduced to elements of Media Law and Ethics and explore the rights and freedoms protected by the First Amendment.

Video Production Intern

For the duration of this course, the video intern will be the executive producer of “Hawk Talk” helping the teacher to book guests, write scripts, and ensure the program runs smoothly every day. This student will help schedule events with the NFHS Pixellot system and recruit play-by-play announcers for sporting events. The intern will direct the on-air talent and assist with the day-to-day operations of Hawk Talk.

Publications I

The Publications courses are responsible for the complete production of the school’s yearbook under the guidance of a faculty adviser. This course introduces students to basic photography skills, interviewing techniques, and journalistic writing. It prepares students to work as a team in order to produce a deadline driven print publication. Students in Publications I develop their journalism skills by working collaboratively on reporting, writing, editing, photographing and interviewing. The staff is responsible for selecting the yearbook’s theme, choosing which events to feature in the yearbook and maintaining professionalism by practicing ethical behavior, teamwork and meeting all deadlines.

Publications II

Publications II students will build upon the skills they acquired in Publications I, and they will also be lead editors of the yearbook. The staff is responsible for selecting the yearbook’s theme, choosing which events to feature in the yearbook and maintaining professionalism by practicing ethical behavior, teamwork and meeting all deadlines.

Graphic Design

The Graphic Design curriculum is an introduction to design, creation, and visual identity using visual communication. This course will examine numerous techniques in the Adobe Creative Suite concentrated in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Students will develop an understanding of the creative process by examining such techniques as the use of type, image and color through visual representation.

 

Computer Applications

This course is specifically designed to teach the entire Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as basic computing skills necessary for life in the Digital Age. Students will explore real-world situations for the use of these programs that are needed during their time at Archbishop Hannan High School and beyond. This course will serve as a prerequisite for Web Design and Development.

Web Design and Development

This course is an introduction to the design, creation, and maintenance of web pages and websites. Students learn how to critically evaluate website quality; learn how to create and maintain quality web pages; learn about web design standards and why they are important; and learn to create and manipulate images. Students start by developing basic proficiency in creating static web pages with HTML and CSS languages. The course progresses from introductory work on web sites to new web design techniques including responsive design techniques.

Technology Internships

Technology internship offers highly motivated senior students the opportunity to explore independent technology skill development through work in the technology office. Skills to be developed include hardware and software trouble-shooting, including laptops, printers, iPads, MacBooks, etc. Students will learn basic troubleshooting, assist students and faculty with specific apps, and assist the IT office in the daily operations that support the school faculty, staff, and students

 

Calculus AP - AB/BC

AP Calculus AB is equivalent to a university calculus semester, for which credit can be attained through the end of the year Advanced Placement Examination. The course begins with the development of the concept of limit. Students use the concept of limit to develop the concepts of derivative and integral and apply those concepts in a variety of contexts. In accordance with the AP curriculum, the course stresses a conceptual understanding of all major concepts through the four modes of mathematical representation (algebraic, numeric, verbal, and graphical). An approved graphing calculator is required.

AP Calculus BC applies the content and skills learned in AP Calculus AB to parametrically defined curves, polar curves, and vector-valued functions; develops additional integration 19 Revised January 25, 2023 techniques and applications; and introduces the topics of sequences and series. In accordance with the AP curriculum, the course stresses a conceptual understanding of all major concepts through the four modes of mathematical representation (algebraic, numeric, verbal, and graphical). An approved graphing calculator is required.

Statistics AP

AP Statistics is equivalent to two college semesters, for which credit can be attained through the end of the year Advanced Placement Examination. This course follows the AP Statistics curriculum set by the College Board. Students develop strategies for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students design, administer, and tabulate results from surveys and experiments. Probability and simulations aid students in constructing models for chance phenomena. Sampling distributions provide the logical structure for confidence intervals and hypothesis tests. Additionally, using the vocabulary of statistics, this course will teach students how to communicate statistical methods, results and interpretations. Students will learn how to use graphing calculators and read computer output in an effort to enhance the development of statistical understanding. An approved graphing calculator is required.

 

Physics

At a pre-AP level, this course approaches the learning of Physics from a modeling approach. Unlike traditional approaches to teaching physics, in which students wade through an endless stream of seemingly unrelated topics, Physics Modeling Instruction organizes the course around a small number of scientific models that form the content core of physics, thus making the course coherent. The modeling approach applies structured inquiry techniques to the teaching of basic skills: mathematical modeling, proportional reasoning, quantitative estimation and technology-enabled data collection and analysis (the Next Generation Science Standards call these Science and Engineering Practices). This course will cover Physics topics with a broader scope and faster pace along with higher expectations for student performance than the CP Physics course.

Biology AP

This course involves students in the activities and endeavors of science. They formulate hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, and interpret data. The course focuses on the process of scientific investigation. Students gain skills in investigation and apply those skills to in-depth studies of a few selected areas of biology. Considerable emphasis is placed on the role of science in society, the complex and extremely important interactions between science and the problems and decisions that citizens must make. This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory Biology course. Upon successful completion of the AP Biology examination (3), students, as college freshmen, are permitted to undertake upper-level courses in Biology or to register for courses for which Biology is a prerequisite.

Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry is a course that focuses primarily on the properties and reactivity of Carbon compounds. The course will cover the following topics: the structure and function of organic molecules, synthesis, the major classes or types of reactions, energetics and NMR spectroscopy. Students will learn about the industrial, pharmaceutical and societal applications of organic compounds and perform labs to synthesize these important compounds.