Business, Tech & Engineering

Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9-12                                                                    2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None

Students will engage in creative minds on and hands on product development, business and marketing experiences, grounded in 21st century marketing technologies and strategies. Communication, leadership and collaborative skills will be employed to ensure individual and team success. Small teams of students will apply business formation and marketing skills to develop, plan, and market their quality products and/or services. Outside organizations and individuals will mentor students to review their work. Students will leverage fabrication technologies, current social media outlets and mentors to produce and promote quality products and/or services.

Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9-12                 2.5 credits 

Prerequisites: None

Students will be introduced to the basic principles of economics, with a primary focus on macroeconomics informed by the microeconomics of business and financial literacy. Students will look at issues through the lens of economic thinking, while better understanding the economic issues and challenges in their own lives and in an increasingly global society. Some topics include scarcity, supply and demand, market structures and business organization, money and banking, investments and the stock market, the role of the government in the economy, and economic globalization. No prior knowledge is required, with an open mind you will learn how decision-making is at the core of economics.

Open to: Grades 11-12                              2.5 credits per semester

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Creative Business and Marketing and/or Introduction to Economics and teacher recommendation

AP Macroeconomics is an introductory college-level macroeconomics course. Students cultivate their understanding of the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole by using principles and models to describe economic situations and predict and explain outcomes with graphs, charts, and data as they explore concepts like economic measurements, markets, macroeconomic models, and macroeconomic policies.

Open to: Grades 10-12    
Two Semester Course

Prerequisites: 1 recommendation by a BTE Department Teacher  2.5 credits per semester

AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the central ideas of computer science, inviting students to develop the computational thinking vital for success across multiple disciplines. The course is unique in its focus in that it fosters students to be creative, and encourages students to apply creative processes when developing computational artifacts. Students will design and implement innovative solutions using an iterative process similar to what artists, writers, computer scientists, scientists and engineers use to bring ideas to life.

Open to: Grades 11-12                               2.5 credits per semester

Two Semester Course

Prerequisites: Passing score on the AP exam from AP Computer Science Principles and recommendation from AP Computer Science Principles teacher.

AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science. The course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using the Java language. These techniques represent proven approaches for developing solutions that can scale up from small, simple problems to large, complex problems. The AP Computer Science A course curriculum is compatible with many CS1 courses in colleges and universities.

Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9-12                                                          2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None

In this class students will develop basic television production skills. Working in teams, students will practice all aspects of video production: conceptualizing, writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. Using professional cameras, equipment and editing tools, students will produce quality work in this semester-long course. The main production of this course is the weekly HHS Today news program (produced for the HHS community), and included on the course's website (www.hhs.today) as well as aired on HCAM (Hopkinton’s television channels). Segments produced include: news, drama, sports, comedy, issues, and arts; and will also allow students to translate their creative visions into short videos. Each student will have one homework assignment to film one after school HHS sponsored event: School play, Concert, Sporting event, Other event.

Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9-12                                                            2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None

Engineering students will exercise a higher level of thought while employing the engineering design process in collaborative teams. Creativity will flourish through production of various types of fun and competitive projects. The projects will include but are not limited to: Inventive light systems, Toys, “Rube Goldberg” Machines, and projects that benefit outside groups (example: Hopkinton First Responders). Local Engineers serving as mentors will contribute to the course by discussing design options with students.

Semester Course
Open to: Grades 9-12                                                            2.5 credits
Prerequisites: None

Students will develop solutions to real-world global problems using the engineering design process. Students will work in teams to identify root causes of problems, ideate solutions and fabricate functional prototypes. Projects will include but are not limited to: Energy, Health, Safety, Environmental. Students will be encouraged to design solutions that can have an immediate impact in our local community.

Open to: Grades 9-12                                                           2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None

Semester Course

Students will take flight with paper, 3D printed, laser cut and drone technologies. Bernoulli’s principle is at the heart of each flight project that students will engage in: Paper gliders, Rocketry, Hot air balloons and Drone design, fabrication and flight. Students will use professional grade CAD software along with current fabrication tools such as 3D printers and Laser cutters to design and fabricate their own creations that take them to new heights.

 Semester Course

Open to: Grades 9-12                                                           2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None

Students will put their hands and minds to good use as they learn the skills of: Electrical, Plumbing, Construction, Welding, Small engine and Bicycle repair. These skills are useful to all people that want to be knowledgeable and independent throughout their lives. Your work will directly benefit members of the community through repaired donations and community outreach. Any student willing to have fun while rolling up their sleeves will enjoy this course. They will understand the mechanical world around them and how to repair and create while saving themselves thousands of dollars annually by doing it themselves for the rest of their lives!

Two Semester Course

Open to: Grade 12                               2.5 credits per semester

Prerequisites: Successful completion and teacher recommendation(s) from at least 1 of 2 paths:

Path 1: Computer Science: AP CSP + AP CSA

Path 2: Engineering: Honors Engineering + Honors Sustainable Engineering

Students will identify and solve real world problems applying their acquired skills from prior HHS BTE programs (CS, Engineering). This genuine learning environment is during school hours with access to materials, tools and instruction to help students navigate an independently driven iterative process. Students will learn how to manage projects while leveraging and navigating inventive processes. Students will exercise opportunities to protect their intellectual property while filing a provisional patent. Students will present their work to a guest classroom judge who will select 2 projects that will advance to showcase at a statewide event.

2.5 credits per semester

Open to: 9-12

Prerequisites: None

Learn through hands-on programming activities where you create fun and interesting projects using C, C++, Python, and Scratch programming languages on Micro: bit Microprocessors.  You will develop programs that interact with hardware and electronics that react to your commands.  Let your imagination drive solutions to problems that you would like to solve in the world. This course will be an engaging, practical, and very useful course for students where they can expand their programming skills and receive immediate feedback from hardware/electronics.

Semester Course                                                                                   2.5 credits

Open to: 9-12            

Prerequisites: None

Do you ever question whether what you see online is true? How does social media shape your opinions? Is AI changing the way we think and learn? This course is designed to prepare students with valuable 21st-century skills to navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Students will explore the foundations of digital literacy, including the impact of social media, the principles of digital citizenship, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in everyday life. Students will examine how these technologies shape communication, ethics, and personal responsibility in the digital age. Topics will cover strategies for effective online research using Guided Inquiry Design, privacy and security in the digital world, the impact of social media on mental health, ethical online behavior, and digital communication skills. Through interactive discussions and hands-on projects, students will develop the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions, engage responsibly online, and understand the power and influence of digital media in today’s world.

Open to: Grades 9-12                                                                           

  Semester Course                                                                                   2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None

This half-year course will introduce students to a broad range of topics in the field of computer science, including, but not limited to, hardware, data representation and manipulation, networking, computer programming, webpage and game design. Students will work on projects with Arduino microcontrollers to build, program and test their creative ideas. This course is open to all grade levels and does not require any prior computer science experience.