Students must register by Friday for ‘Innovations’

Secondary students can enroll in a new course, “Innovations,” next fall if students register by April 1. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – An intriguing new course *may* be available this fall to students at Madison’s secondary schools. For the course to materialize, students must register by Friday, April 1.

The new course, “Innovations,” “is an inquiry-based learning class that is a one-credit (semester-long) English elective course,” Robin Dauma said. “Students will explore, create, partner and produce — both individually and in groups.”

Dauma will instruct “Innovations” at Bob Jones High School. She currently teaches Honors English II and advanced-placement Language and Composition at Bob Jones.

Other “Innovations” teachers are Laura Smith, James Clemens High School; Steven Mathis, Liberty Middle School; and Matt Brewer, Discovery Middle School.

“Collaboration with business and industry partners will be at the heart of this class as students identify and pursue projects that are relevant to the community and will make an impact on society,” Dauma said. Students can pursue their own academic and research interests.

As a result, students can “play a significant role in identifying innovative opportunities. Projects that students pursue in this class must contain evidence from the Alabama Courses of Study. Exploration into content areas can be different for each student,” Dauma said.

Coordinator of Secondary Education Dr. Heather Donaldson has led the effort to get launch “Innovations” and “is very excited to offer this opportunity to our secondary students,” Dauma said.

Students will work with a professional mentor and Dauma to improve their skills in project proposals, time management, professional communication and creative product development.

This course will directly impact the development of five skills that employers want:

* Working well in teams.

* Analyzing a problem to develop workable solutions.

* Thinking clearly about complex problems.

* Expressing creativity in solving problems.

* Applying knowledge and skills in new settings.

By enrolling in “Innovations,” students eventually will produce varied products, including science/engineering fair projects, Destination Imagination work, a student-owned business, independent research, app development, community-service outreach, focused writing for documentation and work with an international partner.

“The possibilities are endless and will be as unique as our students,” Dauma said.

Students should consult the Madison City Schools’ 2016-2017 Course Catalog or their guidance counselor for more information.