At ASP, we provide the resources, experience, and guidance needed for all students to fully benefit from the potential of technology to enhance and extend learning.
Our campus is equipped with newly built or refurbished technology focused spaces such as:
Our students have ready access to technology whenever they need it.
Technology is found throughout our Lower School and most often in the dedicated Possibility Lab, where thinkering happens. Instructional technology coach Lindsey Dunn works with students each day to integrate technology into their learning. At ASP, no student is too young to start learning about 3D printing or coding. From engineering with boxes and building animal habitats, to creating 3D-printed replicas of buildings discovered by Grade 5 students in their ancient history unit, the Possibility Lab allows our students to leverage technology to expand the scope of their learning. The Lab even includes a Lego wall where different data visualization activities take life!
This semester course introduces students to use digital technology to develop their skills and their ability to solve and resolve artistic problems. This may include photography, animation, film, digital illustration, etc. In addition, students will enhance their communication skills through a critical inquiry of their own work, that of their classmates, as well as artists that work digitally. Confidence will also be developed as students express creative ideas about the direction of their own work. Students’ creative growth and critical sense is enhanced through teamwork and collaboration by using various forms of feedback as well as peer and self-assessments. All students keep a process portfolio that documents their artistic journey.
Modern technology has opened up such amazing possibilities for musical expression! This course offers students with widely varied musical backgrounds insight into musical creation through hands-on experience composing and arranging their own music using digital audio production techniques. The students will use Apple’s GarageBand program on the US Arts Media Lab’s MIDI keyboard- equipped workstations to explore basic concepts of melody, harmony and rhythm while composing in a wide variety of styles. A special emphasis will be placed on creating soundtracks for short films and animation projects, including an investigation of the history of music in cinema. (semester)
In this class, students will learn and apply Design Thinking and explore interactive technology to learn about how designers make hardware and computer programs that fit the needs of the people who use their products. Students not only make interactive products that are functional, they engage in the best practices of real world designers to ensure their solutions truly meet the needs of their clients. They can create video games, animations or musical instruments while also learning about 2-D and 3-D Design. This class is perfect for beginners who would like to improve their skills in Design and Innovation. It is an excellent way to gain cutting-edge technical skills through the creative application of coding and electronics.
In this class, students will learn and apply Design Thinking and use technical skills to address real world problems facing society. They begin by exploring a particular social or environmental issue that poses challenges to us. Students then define the problem, develop ideas for solutions and prototype innovations that can help the environment, help the disabled, help people in developing countries, or simply improve the ASP experience for our community as a whole. Along the way, they will also acquire and develop traditional making skills as well as cutting edge digital fabrication, electronics and computer programming skills.
This project-based STEM class helps students master critical thinking and problem solving skills as they focus on the parts of Design Thinking. Students will learn how to use a variety of tools (both traditional and high-tech) in the design lab as they engage in STEM topics through “MAKING”. The diverse choice of projects permits students to experience firsthand how to collaborate and solve problems, while developing knowledge and skills in technology which can be applied in our school and local community.
This hands-on, project-based class is for students who would like to unleash their imagination and use real-world multimedia skills to create jaw-dropping projects as well as contribute to school culture and climate. Students will be provided with the tools for communicating with various kinds of visual images and objects as they refine their skills in visual literacy, basic design elements, print layout, computational photography, journalism, editing and publishing. Students will demonstrate their learning, visual competencies and an understanding of the elements of design as they develop products for presentational use in the school community. Projects include choices such as: Creating your Brand, Logos, Newsletter, Yearbook, Infographic videos, MS Image Gallery, Digital presentations, and Print Ads for school events.
AP Computer Science A (Java) is the equivalent of an introductory university-level programming class. Students will learn the fundamentals of computer science using the Java programming language. It begins by focusing on programming basics and then on writing full classes and the logic and structures around building them. A semester of a Design & Technology course or comparable background is required as a prerequisite.
AP Computer Science Principles offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. Using primarily the Python language, the course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. The class also gives students the opportunity to use current technologies to create computational artifacts for both self-expression and problem solving. There is no prerequisite for this course.
In this course, students will explore the essential principles of cybersecurity and learn how to protect digital systems and data in an interconnected world. Through hands-on activities, they will investigate topics such as encryption, network security, ethical hacking, and safe online practices. Students will also examine the role of cybersecurity in protecting critical infrastructure and personal privacy. Emphasizing problem-solving, critical thinking, and ethical responsibility, this course provides a foundational understanding of cybersecurity concepts and prepares students to navigate and safeguard the digital landscape.
Students will explore how computer programming and electronics can be used for artistic expression and music. They will analyse existing examples of interactive artwork and the tools and techniques of contemporary artists and musicians. In addition to programming and electronics, students will also learn how to use digital fabrication tools such as the 3-D printers and the laser cutter to make their interactive art pieces and installations. In addition to learning new technical artistic tools, while in the course students can choose to pursue and integrate another medium of art they are more familiar with, such as sculpture, painting, video editing, graphic design, dance or music. Students do not need prior experience with computer programming to take this class.
In this course we will be using MIT’s App Inventor, a simple block-based program for making apps for Android smartphones and tablets. This visual language enables novice programmers to build powerful mobile applications that interact with the web and with other devices. Students will create exciting, socially useful, and entertaining apps that can be shared with the ASP community. Students will test their apps on Amazon Kindles, which will be provided.
In this introduction course, students will explore the fundamentals of robotics by designing, building, and programming robotic systems. Through hands-on projects, they will learn how software and hardware work together to create innovative solutions. Students will work with versatile tools like microcontrollers to read inputs, such as sensors or buttons, and produce outputs, such as activating motors or LEDs. The course emphasizes problem-solving, creativity, and perseverance as students tackle progressively complex design challenges.
In this introduction course, students will explore the fundamentals of game design by creating interactive 2D and 3D worlds. They will develop games and simulations that showcase dynamic systems, applying key principles of design, storytelling, and user engagement. Through hands-on projects, students will gain experience with tools and techniques used in the industry while fostering creativity, problem-solving, and computational thinking. This course emphasizes the iterative design process as students bring their ideas to life in engaging digital environments.
Students will learn about coding and electronics through the medium of fashion, wearable computing technology and home automation. Using the Design Thinking process, along with coding and electronics, they will investigate problems in the school community and develop ideas and solutions to solve those problems. Students can choose to write their programs with Scratch-like visual blocks or with a syntax-based programming language like Python. They will explore ways they can connect the products they design to their phone and to the internet. This class combines a mix of practical product design with creative expression. It is perfect for students without prior experience who wish to increase their knowledge of computer programming and electronics. This class is also suitable for students who wish to combine their technical skills with traditional hand craft.