New classes make their debut

This year, four new classes are being offered at SHS: Engineering Design and Development (EDD), leadership, dance fitness and AP Studio Arts.

“Generationally, things change,” computer science teacher Judi Heher said. “You’ve got to provide things that students are interested in.”  

The process to create these new classes begins as early as the fall of the previous year. After the ideas are approved by the district, student signups begin in February. If the class is approved to be run — a big “if” since most new classes need to attract a minimum of about 25 student signups — the real work begins. Over the summer, teachers buy materials for the classes, create lessons and prepare for their students.

The EDD class, taught by engineering and AP Calculus BC teacher Audrey Warmuth, is an engineering class provided only to seniors. It is the fourth and last engineering class now offered on campus.

A big goal of the new course is to provide flexibility for students. The four engineering classes have been designed to allow students to come in and out of the program. EDD is the only engineering class that requires a previous knowledge of engineering.

EDD teaches advanced engineering mechanics to students with prior experience in the subject. Rather than having lessons, worksheets and small projects like in the introductory course, EDD gives the students the opportunity to work on short projects,  teach them new techniques and work on a original, year-long projects. After the major project is completed, groups will present it to a panel of engineers, who will give feedback to them.

Senior Daniel Koh said that the class uses previous skills learned in other engineering classes.

“The biggest requirement would be to be able to think outside of the box,” Koh said.

Another new offering is the leadership class led by activities director Matthew Torrens. The class is mandatory for any student holding a leadership position, such as those in a commission or in student government. At first, the class was met with opposition by some students but has gained in support.

Sophomore Roshan Verma, who initially opposed the idea of the class, said that after talking to Torrens, the officers realized how the class could become a new, “integrated environment” where they could advance in their skills as leaders.

Verma said that as a result of taking leadership, many events on campus, such as fundraisers, can be planned more efficiently since the work is done in class rather than at lunch and outside of school.

Besides all of these academic classes, a new physical fitness class taught by longtime history teacher Kim Anzalone has begun: dance fitness. Anzalone said that the class is aimed  to “reduce stress and encourage healthy lifestyles.”

The class, which takes place during sixth period, consists of rigorous dance routines choreographed to 17 different songs. Routines are switched out every 5 weeks. Anzalone said that by the end of the year, students will learn the routines well enough to teach them to others.

Senior Sarah Jin said that the class has helped her reduce stress and work out.

“I’m not really at athletic person, but taking dance fitness was kind of a way for me to regularly [work out], and it does not feel like work, which is really cool,” Jin said.

Each new class has been made to cater to current and future students.

“There’s no one course, one topic that can suit everyone,” Warmuth said. “Having something different is nice.”