ELECTIVE CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

ELECTIVE CLASS SIGN UPS FOR SUMMER 2024

Below are all the Elective Classes offered this summer. 

In the chart you can see when each class is offered, and below the chart you can read through the description to see a description of each class. 

Please read through these prior to signing up for classes so you understand what you will be learning in each class.

As you think about which classes you will take, remember the following:

• All first year UBMS students must take a foreign language class.  There is one offered during each period.

• Juniors who applied for and were accepted to Career Work Study must select one (1) of the sections of Career Work Study.  This is offered during the 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm class period only.

• All Juniors have to sign up for Senior Seminar. There is one class per class block to choose from.

• OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: This is a two block class. You MUST take this class for B and C blocks.

Class Descriptions

Senior Seminar

Required that all Upcoming Seniors (current Juniors) take one session. This class will prepare juniors for their Senior Year.

Intro to Programming 

Designed for students who have little to no prior knowledge of programming, this elective will use the Python programming language to teach students basic principles of Computer Science and programming and teach them how to design their own basic programs and how to think like a programmer. 

Horror in the Age of the Internet

This course invites students to dive into the heart of how technology has transformed the horror landscape, from creepypastas to viral online horror films and series. Students will investigate the role of streaming platforms, social media, and interactive gaming in shaping contemporary horror narratives, and how these mediums have blurred the lines between reality and fiction. Students will be given the opportunity to create their own digital based horror stories. 

Artificial Intelligence: Fact vs Fiction

This course introduces students to modern artificial intelligence applications. The course will discuss how the media presents AI as well as what AI can and cannot do. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the underlying technologies and concepts that power modern AI systems. Students will also be given projects that will teach them how to use various AI tools, and the ethical use of these technologies will also be discussed. 

Theater

An elective course for dramatic expression. Focus would be on drama games, team-building, basic theater principles of pantomime, voice, and movement. A final skit production would be the culminating project.

Career Work Study

Must have applied and been accepted for this class!

Spanish

A beginning Spanish course would be for students who have not previously studied Spanish in elementary, middle, or high school. Students would learn correct pronunciation and emphasis and, therefore, learn to read aloud in Spanish. Students would also learn basic themes such as greetings, colors, numbers, family vocabulary, food, etc.

Doll Making

Students will practice creating Appalachian inspired dolls, clothes pin dolls, etc

Scrapbooking

Students will work on creating a scrapbook throughout the summer program.

Quilting

Students will learn how to use a sewing machine as well as hand sewing to create quilt square crafts.

Walk to 5K

Students will learn how to properly improve their ability to be an endurance runner, by beginning a 4 week cycle of trying to work up to completing a 5K(3.1 mile)  run/walk course.  Students will learn how to properly stretch and gradually increase and build themselves up physically to complete a 5K.  They will learn how to properly set goals and what to do help achieve those goals.

Outdoor Adventures

This is a 2 part class! You must sign up for both sections.

We will talk about how to set up tents and hammocks.  We will learn several helpful knots to tie and use in camping, boating, and fishing.  We will practice skills of fishing and ensure that everyone is properly licensed to fish. We will learn how to build a campfire, along with maintaining it and ensuring that it is properly extinguished.   If allowed we will kayak safely, learning proper skills of paddling and unswamping a kayak.  We will also learn about safety  afloat and how ensuring we have proper life saving gear for boating. 

Beginning Robotics

Students will learn the fundamentals of Robotics through the competitive world of VEX robotics. These items will be taught through: classroom lectures, assignments, and/or visual aids; laboratory demonstrations, and hands-on laboratory practices and projects.

Advanced Robotics

Students will learn the fundamentals of Robotics through the competitive world of VEX robotics. These items will be taught through: classroom lectures, assignments, and/or visual aids; laboratory demonstrations, and hands-on laboratory practices and projects.

French

Students will learn the basics of the French Language.

Arabic

Students will learn the basics of the Arabic Language.

Lit that Goes Bump in the Night

Students will read a variety of short stories and excerpts from text of scary/horror fiction/poetry. The class will look for common literary elements in the readings. There will be opportunities to include writing and art into the class. There could possibly be some film clips viewed as well. Mood and tone, along with elements of suspense and characterization will be some of the major elements examined in the class.

Poetry Doesn't Have to be Pretty

This class will be a poetry reading and writing class. We will examine some familiar and some less familiar poetry, searching for the elements each has and what makes the poems effective. Students will also write their own poetry following the examples we read in class. The goal is for students to creat a miniature volume of their own poetry that will encompass their UB Summer 2024 experience.

Marvel vs DC

In this class, students will watch between two and three superhero movies from Marvel and DC Comics. There will be discussions as to what the similarities and differences are with each. Elements of plot will be discussed, with a more detailed analysis of what makes a hero a hero and what makes a villain a villain. There will be opportunities for art and writing to be incorporated into the class.

Intro to Photoshop

This class would focus on the photo editing capabilities of Adobe Photoshop. The students will learn about the tools available in the industry program through basic photo editing exercises culminating in a more fun project later on to show the versatility of the program.

Digital Painting

This class would be an in-depth look into styles of digital painting in Adobe Photoshop. The first two weeks would be focused on a process known as cell shading; a very popular style used in video games, comics and animations. The last two weeks would be spent working in a more realistic style of digital painting which is more prominent in the professional fields of concept and promotional art. 

3D Printing/Modeling

This course would be an introduction to the world of 3D modeling and printing using the Autodesk Maya program. Students would follow carefully designed lessons to guide them through Maya's technical systems spending the summer getting acquainted with the program and building a 3D model for print. Students will then have their work 3D printed using Upward Bound's printers and leave the program with a physical artifact of their newfound skills.

Steel Drums

Students will be getting hands-on experience in playing Caribbean steel drums and other percussion instruments in a steel band! Music experience of any kind helps, but is not required. 

Beginning Guitar

Students will be getting hands-on experience in playing the acoustic guitar along with other instruments like bass, piano, and drums to make a band! Students are welcome to bring their own acoustic guitar. If they do not own one, we will provide one during class time. This class is designed for players who have little to no experience.

Ukulele

Students will be getting hands-on experience in learning to play the ukulele! The goal of this course will be to be able to play as many songs on ukulele as possible. Students also have the option of learning to sing and play at the same time using some older songs as well as new favorites!

Minecraft Engineering

Indy Games have been on the rise as more and more people have been stepping out from behind the controllers of their favorite games to develop their own, creating their own companies and gaming phenomenon! In this course, whether you’re new to programming or a veteran, we’ll be using various software to develop games based on various themes and challenges each week. The games you develop will be limited only by your imagination.

Circuitry and Electronics

This is a hands-on physics/mathematics course where you’ll be introduced to the basics of circuitry electronics, and the trade skill of soldering. After inquiry projects learning how each circuitry component functions and can be used to create desired outcomes, you’ll learn how to wire homes, construct alarms, and even functioning radios we can use for communication. 

Astronomy and Cosmology

In this course, you’ll be utilizing computer-controlled telescopes to survey our solar system and understand how it functions and explore regions you never knew existed. From there, we’ll zoom out to study far away galaxies and nebula, utilizing the idea of astrophotography to develop real images of the complex and beautiful structures. All of this to understand where everything came from, what humans will need to continue after the death of our Sun, and what will be its fate of our universe! This course will also cover the thresholds that led from the start of the universe to our modern-day society. 

Magic the Gathering

MTG is the most popular card game in history, Through this course, students will learn basic strategies, color identities, and move on to advanced deckbuilding. The instructor will act as both teacher and judge as students use cards to outwit their opponents.

Trivia

This course will focus on different types of trivia and can be tailored specific interest of students involved. Topics can range form popular culture, music, and games to more specific history, science, and humanities topics. Students will gather information, study, and compete individually and on teams each day as topics change.

Myths and Legends

The world is filled with fascinating ancient legends and local stories. Students in this course will explore those ideas by engaging in detailed story telling and research. The topics in the course can be tailored to student interest and can range from the local mothman to larger mythologies like Greek or Roman.

Cryptozoology

This class will study different cryptids from around the world. We will learn their origin stories, details about sightings, and if anything about them has been debunked. We will discuss whether we think these creatures are real or myths and why. Students will be welcome to give input on which cryptids they want us to cover and they’ll also be given opportunities to look up additional creatures we don’t cover as a class. Depending on time, they might also get a chance to create a cryptid and write a backstory for it and try to convince the class it's real. 

Would you join a cult?

In this class, we will look at what makes a group a cult. We will debate different groups and decide if they qualify as a cult or not. We will look at different types of groups. We will study cult leaders. We will also look at the types of people that typically join a cult. This will give us a chance to look at personality types as well. We will study some famous cults and students will also get the chance to research a cult of their choosing that we haven’t looked at in class and present it to the class. We will also do a project where they design their own cults and try to convince others to join them.

Psychology of a Serial Killer

Students will learn about different types of crime and theories of criminology. Students will learn about different types of serial killers and risk factors that lead into becoming a serial killer. We will study examples of each type of killer. Students will be given the opportunity to choose a serial killer, research them, and present their information. This gives them opportunities to practice their research, digital publishing, and oral presentation skills in a fun way. We will play critical thinking games to try and match a profile with a crime. We will also look at some unsolved cases and try to solve them. 

Engineering Design Challenges

In this class, students would learn about the engineering design process from brainstorming, planning, testing different iterations and analyzing their results, revising their projects, and then the final test.  They would build models and come up with design solutions to solve their assigned problems.

UB Goes Green

In this class, students would learn about the human impact on the environment and how to be more environmentally friendly.  Activities for this class will focus on reducing waste, recycling projects, upcycling crafts, and other environmentally friendly habits.

Forensics

This course is designed for those interested in health and science-related fields. It focuses on many disciplines of scientific study such as biology/anatomy, chemistry, and physics and how they are all useful in solving crimes.  The class will be comprised of exploration, investigation, lab activities, research and discussion. 

All about Sports

This class would cover different sports including baseball, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, golf, tennis, swimming, and cross county. Your classroom would be the arena and/or field of the sport.

Outdoor Sports

This class would focus on learning and practicing difference sports and team games that take place outside.

Yard Games

This class focuses on learning team uilding skills through "old school" games and activities.