Course Description:
SEA-DISC hosts several classes that follow a unique curriculum following an environmental science and justice focus. These classes are taught by 3 wonderful teachers (see What is SEA-DISC: Educators)
Being an integrated Senior-Junior program, the classes the students take switch off every year.
These classes are specifically for juniors and seniors, and results in split classes:
Year A includes:
Year B includes:
Junior Courses:
Senior Courses:
Social Studies
US History
Given the notion that we cannot truly understand where we are going until we understand where we have been, the SEA-DISC program has recently added United States History to its course requirements. The class is designed to include the origins of the conservation movement and its evolution into modern day environmentalism as an additional component of the standard U.S. History curriculum. Beginning with the philosophical and religious ideals that led to the settling of this continent by Europeans, students will examine the beliefs that have brought us to our present situation, environmentally speaking.
Economics
This economics course is designed as a broad overview of the subject. Students are given basic introduction to everything from supply and demand to fiscal policy and unemployment, while learning various skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century. In addition to their study of the concepts of micro and macroeconomics, students will have the opportunity to explore their own thinking on the more philosophical aspects of economic systems. Specific emphasis is given to the potentially devastating impacts of globalization.
Recognized in this course is the notion that there are many problems with our economic institutions. In the quest for profits and growth, many corporations and individuals think little of exploiting other human beings and/or our natural environment. This, however, is not simply an anti-growth or anti-business class. Instead, it attempts to explore how businesses can successfully function in a socially and environmentally conscientious manner.
American Government
The government course in SEA-DISC is approached from the philosophy that in order to change the system, one must first understand how it works. Students will gain an understanding of the principles on which our government is based and the mechanics of how it functions. Time will also be spent examining current events and policy decision-making.
The environmental “twist” to this course addresses the laws, both existing and under consideration that attempt to preserve and restore the natural and human environments. Specific focus is placed on gaining an understanding of the process by which change is brought about. Accordingly, students will study the activities and functioning of not-for-profit organizations.
Workplace Learning/Internship
Second year students take part in Workplace Learning and Internship, a two semester class in which In correlation to the program the internship maintains an environmental focus. This experience is not only beneficial now but imperative to those pursuing an environmental career. Students work closely with a mentor to learn speaking, writing, computer and interviewing skills. We are exposed to science careers and acquire hands-on experience in the working field. During 7th period on the block days (hour and a half periods), students leave to attend their internship. On Mondays (45 min periods), students stay in class. On these days, Workplace Learning occurs. In Workplace Learning SEA-DISC projects are planned and organized, including field studies and making web pages, brochures and videos. Second year students learn managerial skills by working as project managers for the first year students. Second year students already have experience with the first year projects and now have the skills to lead the group of first year students.
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Environmental Science/
AP Environmental Science
The SEA-DISC academy is based on the environmental issues that we learn in our two years of Environmental Science classes. By the end of the second year, students are well prepared for the AP Environmental Science Test. Because of the year A / year B schedule, first year and second year students are blended into classes together, and learn about environmental science as a whole group (though only seniors get the AP credit). Over this period of time, we become experts in a wide variety of environmental problems that pose a devastating impact on our future. Once we research specific areas of study, we compile our knowledge into a project/presentation that is open to the public. Our goal is to educate the local community to make a difference on their perspective of the earth. We hope to spread our knowledge and views to the people that can make a difference, like you! We start off small by discovering practical solutions that will slightly change our every day life and then move on to more global solutions.
Chemistry
The chemistry class gears away from the delivery of the traditional program by relating everything that we study to what we are accomplishing in the field. The labs revolve around soil and water analysis that we utilize as information to discover the health of the habitat. The chemistry science helps us to make inferences and conclusions about the inter-relationships among organisms and their habitat in our area of study. We study the negative impact of such detrimental environmental issues like toxic and radioactive wastes, acid rain, air and water pollution and preserving natural resources. The purpose of this course is to enable students to gain some understanding of the facts and principles of chemistry. This course strengthens the student's ability to think mathematically. Around 40% of class time is spent in the laboratory and another 30% is spent doing SEA-DISC projects including field studies. The environmental emphasis drives the students to be passionate and curious about what they are studying. We are exposed to real life situations that help us to see chemistry's relationship to the earth, which makes the complex concepts of chemistry more easily understood.
