Upper Learning Curriculum

In Historical Thinking, students develop a broader understanding of the world, its diverse cultures, and the ways people and places are interconnected. The course takes a modern, conceptual approach to explore location, place, human-environment interaction, regions, and movement, key themes that have shaped today’s global landscape. Students examine political geography alongside shared global patterns, such as climate, agriculture, and trade. By the end of the course, they will have a deeper sense of global awareness and connectedness, as well as a stronger foundation for world history and other subjects. Additionally, students build essential skills in critical thinking and argument development, preparing them for future success in social studies at Galloway and beyond.

In this course, students build foundational skills for projects in technology, design, engineering, and related fields. Through a project-based approach and the Design Thinking Process, they gain experience in 2D design and 3D modeling using Adobe Creative Cloud and Autodesk. Students also learn production and manufacturing techniques for rapid prototyping. Working individually or in teams, they analyze problems, design and test solutions, evaluate outcomes, and refine their work as needed. The course emphasizes practical and creative problem-solving, the impact of technology in historical and modern contexts, and the importance of responsible decision-making in technological innovation.

Ceramics is an introductory course that allows students to work with their hands in the creation of functional and sculptural clay objects. Students explore hand-building methods such as coil, pinch and slab building and will learn to throw on the wheel. Concepts of form and function, design, and aesthetics all come into play as students gain a better understanding of three dimensional thinking through the four foundational ceramic methods. This course is excellent for students who enjoy working with their hands and who have patience to see objects through the multi-step process of design, exploration, and creation.

In this hands-on, project-based course, students explore the world of Extended Realities (XR), focusing on Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR) technologies. Through a series of creative projects, students develop essential skills in XR design, 3D modeling, and interactive environments, applying the design process to create user-centered experiences. Students work with tools like CoSpaces, Unreal Engine, and AR/VR/MR hardware to bring their concepts to life. Assessments will include project development, where students will present prototypes, demonstrate their design process, and reflect on feedback, as well as collaborative critiques and individual progress evaluations. By the end of the course, students have a portfolio of XR projects, showcasing both their technical proficiency and innovative design thinking.

What happens to our bodies when we die? How are our lives celebrated? What is the biology and science of death? Students take a dive into the world of science and culture through the lenses of death and celebration of life. Along with studying the biological and chemical breakdown of tissues, students will examine the methods employed to preserve those tissues. Part of this study will be reviewing the various ways bodies are handled post-mortem and how cultures (current and past) around the world honor the lives lived.