STEAM Classes

Students learn the skills and strategies to play a variety of sports and physical activities. The focus is on developing a lifelong passion for physical activity, sportsmanship, and leadership. Multiple sports are played every semester, with some being played outside depending on the season. A variety of health topics are covered throughout the semester every Wednesday.

This course provides a balanced visual arts program that guides students toward the standards in the visual arts. Students build a foundation of visual arts knowledge and skills, make connections to other subjects, and explore drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, clay, and digital art. Students also learn concepts such as the elements of art, principles of design, typography, composition, and color theory.

Students work with different types of media to create creative art pieces. Sculpting helps students explore creativity while learning to interpret three-dimensional shapes and understand scale and proportion. The course also introduces the history of ceramics and beginning clay techniques, including handbuilding, surface development and glazing, kiln firing practices, and both functional and sculptural ceramic traditions.

Students choose projects from an art curriculum menu and explore a variety of materials and methods used to create art. The course includes at least six mini skills-based projects based around an art theme, four research assignments, two W.O.W. finished projects using student-selected media and methods, and two artist statements.

Students explore creativity using modern design tools such as Canva, Pixlr, and Inkscape. They learn how to create digital posters, edit photos, design logos, and build original artwork using layers, typography, color theory, and composition. This course combines artistic skills with technology to help students become confident creators in today’s digital world.

Yearbook is journalistic in nature and allows students to participate in the production of the school yearbook. Students learn layout design; write and fit copy, captions, and headlines; learn basic photography skills; and use computer skills to complete assignments by deadlines. Students may accept leadership positions and develop new skills as they build the yearbook. Some outside-of-school time is required for taking pictures of after-school events, distribution, and completion. Students must enroll for quarters 1, 2, and 3.

Audio Video Production introduces students to the visual and audio media world. Students learn the fundamentals of video and audio production using professional equipment to create podcasts, make videos, and learn the basics of music recording.

Students learn and explore the basics of coding and robotics. They work with a variety of coding materials while creating websites and video games and learning about robotics devices.

Students continue learning coding and robotics while working with a variety of coding materials, creating websites and video games, and learning robotics devices. This course also explores the science of flight. Students build, test, and fly drones, with emphasis on safety, equipment selection, piloting, capturing images, drone science, real-world applications, and piloting competitions.

This STEAM course explores renewable energy technologies and technical careers. Students work in teams and use the Engineering Design Cycle to build a solar- or battery-powered car. On a Saturday in May, student teams are required to compete at the NoCo Time Trials in Fort Collins, with the option of competing in the statewide race championships.

This ensemble is made up of beginning sixth-grade students, with seventh- and eighth-grade students included if schedules allow, who are still new to the formal band setting on their instrument. No audition is required. Students should plan on one to two performances outside school hours while learning music history, theory, appreciation, and real-world application of music skills.

This ensemble is made up of advanced sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students who have already been in a formal band setting on their instrument and have auditioned to participate. Students continue developing techniques for brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments while exploring a variety of band literature styles, including concert, marching, orchestral, and modern styles. Students should plan on several performances outside school hours, auditions and chair tests, and field trip opportunities. Students also learn music history, theory, appreciation, and real-world application of music skills.

This choir is open to students in grades 6-8. Students collaborate and learn the fundamentals of music and vocal technique. Students perform in concerts throughout the year and explore music from musicals, movies, classic choral literature, multicultural music, and more. No experience is necessary.

In this introduction to Theatre Arts, students explore themselves and the world around them through activities that may include games, performance and acting skills, set and costume design, scene studies, and one-act plays.

Student Aide helps students gain important skills for real-world jobs, such as responsibility, organization, communication, and task completion. Students develop these skills by helping a teacher or supporting the office at High Plains. Students must complete an application to participate. Being a Student Aide is a privilege and responsibility, and the application helps the school understand student motivation.