Catherine Burges, News Editor
@cburges_courant
With course selections for the upcoming year having recently passed, many students and staff members have been discussing the possibility of introducing a greater variety of classes to the curriculum. In particular, science teacher Jeffrey Brentson is in the process of creating what he hopes to be a Biology and Nanotechnology Course. Mr. Brentson previously taught similar courses at Brien McMahon High School, and said they were received well. He hopes that through introducing this course to the curriculum, it would offer students interested in pursuing these studies as a career choice a head start with their college education.
“It was one of the most popular science electives when I taught it,” Mr. Brentson said. “Most students don’t get to experience this type of class until their third or fourth year of college, and then it is all new information. By offering it as a course here at the high school, students would be able to explore new fields and have more knowledge under their belt before they study at a university.”
Mr. Brentson doesn’t believe that he would be able to consolidate both Bio and Nanotech into half a semester, and they both would include research projects and mostly hands-on learning with labs. His hope is to split the course up into two semesters, with one semester specifically dedicated to Nanotechnology and the other to Biotechnology. “I could have a full year course of combined Nanotechnology and Biotechnology,” he said. “However, if I split them up that also gives students who are, for example, more interested in Biotechnology rather than nanotechnology the opportunity to just study that field of science for one semester. The same is vice versa.”
Mr. Brentson believes that the courses will include extensive research projects, similar to the Science Research Course already offered at NCHS. He also hopes to angle the class to focus on more labs, particularly those that would be done at a college level. With the Biotechnology course, he hopes to include experiments where students can alter the genetic makeup of certain organisms. “I want to provide as many real-life experiences as possible,” he said. “Biotechnology is something we see every day in real life. It has to do with the production of antibiotics, anything really that relates to science in the medical industry. Nanotechnology is especially important right now, as that relates to the production of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Mr. Brentson would recommend that his students take Biology and Chemistry before this new course. His hope is to work with the Science Department and District Coordinators to create this course by the fall of 2022. “While the high school offers a vast variety of courses in the science field, we should always be searching for ways to bring new things to our students,” he said. “Our students are extremely talented, and many are dedicated to pursuing this type of field in their future. It is important that we give them these opportunities and increase our course selection so that all students can pursue their passions.”
School Guidance Counselor Lindsay Reihl has also been working with students the past few weeks to guide them in next year’s course selections. “Many students, particularly my Juniors, have trouble choosing between courses as there is only enough room in their schedule,” Ms. Reihl said. “This indicates that we offer a wide array of desirable courses here at the high school.”
However, she also mentioned that certain students expressed interest in taking different elective classes that were offered. According to a recent survey anonymous suggestions from students for new courses included classes in philosophy, current events, as well as sign-language. There was expressed interest in expanding the World Language Department to include studies for Russian, Japanese, Italian, German, and more classes regarding the cultures of these countries rather than just the language. Out of all the five man departments, 31.5% of students wanted to see more courses in the history department, with the Science Department being similar at 27.8%.
Student Body President Senior Alex Kurz also spoke on her wish to have taken a greater variety of courses during her time at NCHS. “While I feel confident that I have had a beyond incredible education at this school, I definitely wish I could have pursued studies more of my interest, particularly ones that I may not get the chance to study as I head off to college next year,” she said. “In college we are preparing for our career, and that means choosing an area of study and sticking with it. High school might be the only chance for many to try new things, and to have experiences they might never have again. I hope that all the students after me have the chance to take courses that allow them to explore all interests they might have in their learning and in life.”
