The Agricultural Scientific Academy at Tracy High School

1. The Agricultural Scientific Academy at Tracy High School Michael K. Woodward Ag/Science Academy Coordinator

2. What is it? • An alternative program option at Tracy High School. • A program that helps students explore undecided college majors and career options. • A program that strives to help students reach their educational goals. • It is a school within a school.

3. Who is it for? • Students interested in science or agriculture. • Students who enjoy a challenge . • Students who are looking for something different.

4. What We Offer • Freshman Year: • An instant community of familiar faces • A core curriculum with preparation for the CP and IB pathways. • a dedicated staff • Beginning of Professional Portfolio • Calaveras Big Trees Field Trip

5. What We Offer • Sophomore Year: • The continuation of core curriculum with preparation for the CP and IB pathways. • Monterey Field Trip • Saturday Seminars • Building of Professional Portfolio • a dedicated staff.

6. What We Offer • Junior Year: • Continuation of Core curriculum in Social Science and English • Students may branch off into IB classes • Job Shadowing • Building of Professional Portfolio • Zero Period Senior Project Launch • Alcatraz field Trip

7. What We Offer • Senior Year: • Culmination of Core Curriculum • Senior Project Portfolio • Senior Project Presentations • Federal Reserve Field Trip • Award Ceremony

8. So what? • In addition to meeting graduation and UC/CSU requirements students receive: • A Bronze Medallion, a Certificate of Completion • And students will have • a professional portfolio which will highlight their accomplishments and skill which will be handy for college and job applications.

9. If that’s not enough…. • Academy Students are a part of something unique, and will have a support network of teachers and peers to help them succeed.

10. Don’t Take My Word For It! • It’s so much easier to understand things we’re reading in English, because we’re learning about that same era in history. ~Tiffany Zendejas, Sophomore • Ag/Science…helps you prepare for the future. ~Matt Hager, Sophomore • The Academy has really awesome teachers that are always willing to help you. ~Rikkilee Carter, Sophomore • The Ag Academy Created a challenging yet fun atmosphere to make life at Tracy High seem to fly by. ~ Stephanie Brendlinger, Sophomore

11. Don’t Take My Word For It! • The Ag-Sci. Academy for me has been a great experience due to the amazing teachers and students. The classrooms are controlled, which makes learning fund and easy. ~Nicole Aniasco, Freshman • I came from St. Bernard’s and I’m very glad that I came into the Academy, it is like a little world inside high school. ~Morgan Montalvo, Freshman • The Academy is great. It’s like a big loving family except you have teachers. The Academy is great if you love science and hands on activities. ~Anna Ryslinge, Freshman • The Ag/Science Academy is a great experience to figure out what you want to do with your life, even before college. ~Kelley Maestas, Freshman

12. Questions: • Can I be in the Academy and be in IB? • YES! • Can I be in the Academy and be in the Performing Arts Academy? • YES! • Can I blend the Academy and any other program at THS? • YES!

13. What Can I do For Senior Project? Previous topics have been: • How to Write a Screen Play • Rebuilding a Chevy 454 Engine • Web Page Design • Teach Math and Number Recognition to Kindergarten Students • Coccidiosis in Goats: is Sanitation a Key Factor? • The History of Reconstructive Surgery • How to Make a Quilt • Writing Jazz Music • Build a Hydroponic Greenhouse • Raising a Market Pig • Creating a Photography Business • Produce a Book of Poetry • Gender Learning Differences and Biases • Women’s Rights in the Middle East and Afghanistan • Raising Funds for Children of Afghanistan • Forensic Science

14. Is Senior Project Worth It? • Here’s what Senior Project judges had to say: • “Yours is the only presentation that has encouraged me to look into the subject!” • “The beauty of the Mexican culture never fails to amaze me. I’m glad you learned more about y our history and culture.” • “It is nice to know that I have such fine people as students. You are really making a difference in your community!” • “Good job on your topic, it is very nice to see you present on a topic you really enjoy” • “Great job on your teaching video; it shows your knowledge of the sport.” • “Throughout her presentation, her interest in the profession and respect for nurses was apparent.”

15. “Breeding With Intentions”A genetically researched project for the Agricultural & Scientific Academy By: Meghan Davis

16. Grain Production Elliott Mello

17. The Evolution of Major League Baseball Stadiums • Steven Andrade

18. Deep-Ocean Shipwreck Exploration and Archaeology Katelyn Gadd

19. Special Education • Senior Project Alyssa Strope

20. Strokes and the Brain RYAN LITTLE AG/SCI SENIOR PROJECT

21. Who Speaks at Saturday Seminars? • Good Question! • Previous Speakers include: • F.B.I. Agents • Animal Control Officers • Lawrence Livermore Labs’ Space Action Team • Firemen • Air Force Recruiter • Pediatrician • Physicist

22. Who Speaks at Saturday Seminars? • Good Question! • Race Car Driver • Pilot • Veterinarian • Architect • Lawyer • Teacher • Agricultural Flier (crop dusting) • Journalist • Just to name a few!

23. Where Can I Job Shadow? • Where do you want to job shadow? • We have sent students to: • Old River Veterinary clinic • API Architecture • Tracy Fire Department • Dr. Robert Williams, Sports Medicine • David Evans & Associates - Engineering

24. Where Can I Job Shadow? • Tangles Beauty Salon • Tracy Chevrolet • California Department of Fish and game • Never Boring Designs – Graphic Design • Tracy Police Department

25. Where Can I Job Shadow? • Lawrence Livermore Labs • Stockton Symphony • San Joaquin County Sheriffs Department

26. Year by Year

27. Freshman Academy Courses • Ag/Science Academy Biology Pre-IB • OR • Ag/Science Academy Ag-Biology Pre-IB • Ag/Science English 1 Pre IB • Ag/Science Social Studies 1 Pre IB (World Geography) • PE • Math • Elective • Big Trees (or Academy of Sciences) Field Trip

28. Sophomore Academy Courses • Ag/Science Academy Chemistry Pre-IB • OR • Ag/Science Academy Ag/Earth Science Pre-IB • Ag/Science English 2 Pre IB • Ag/Science Social Studies 2 Pre IB (World History) • PE or Elective • Math • Elective • Monterey Field Trip • Saturday Seminars

29. Junior Academy Courses • Ag/Science English 3 OR English 3 IB • Ag/Science Social Studies 3 (U.S. History) OR History of the Americas I • Science (as required for pathway) • Math (as required for pathway) • Elective • Zero Period Senior Project Launch • Job Shadowing • Alcatraz Field Trip

30. Senior Academy Courses • Ag/Science English 4 OR English 4 IB • Ag/Science Social Studies 4 (Gov/Econ) OR History of the Americas II • Science (as required for pathway) • Math (as required for pathway) • Elective • Elective • Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Field Trip • Project Portfolio and Presentation