STEM, Humanities, & Math Reimagined

Core Academics

Innovative approaches to Humanities, STEM, Math, Spanish, Physical Expression, and Creative Expression form the foundation of intellectual growth at Millennium School. These core academic areas cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills. This section outlines how these subjects integrate into a transdisciplinary curriculum, fostering a deep understanding that goes beyond traditional classroom boundaries.

igniting passion & curiosity

stem

The STEM curriculum at Millennium is designed to ignite students’ passion and curiosity. Covering earth sciences, coding, computer science, biology, engineering, chemistry, and physics, the program goes beyond traditional middle school content. STEM Quests create experiences that demonstrate how these disciplines apply to real-world contexts.
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NURTURING TOMORROW’S SCIENTISTS

Students are guided through the scientific process, from designing controlled experiments to interpreting data and writing formal scientific articles for the Millennium Science journal. They learn to code, create chatbots, and explore the ethics of hacking. Rather than simply reading about scientific concepts, students engage with current events, such as understanding how viruses lead to pandemics and how society responds.

HANDS-ON LEARNING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Whether launching rockets or designing aromatherapy based on chemistry principles, the hands-on approach ensures students grasp both theoretical concepts and their real-world applications. These diverse activities develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, preparing students for future success in any STEM field.
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THOUGHT-PROVOKING STEM QUESTS

Students tackle questions like:

  • Should AI Take Over the World?
  • What If the World Stopped Turning?
  • Can I Prevent Natural Disasters?
  • Are We Already the Scientists of Tomorrow?

EXAMPLE STEM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

HOW MUCH IS A DOLLAR WORTH?

This Quest combines economics, mathematics, and coding to explore the value of money.
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Key components
  • Mathematical analysis of inflation, wages, taxes, and government budgets
  • Coding practice using Scratch, WoofJS, and/or JavaScript
  • Creation of an interactive web app addressing a current money-related societal issue
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HOW ARE WE CONNECTED?

This STEM-centered Quest investigates the connections between living things through the lens of evolution.
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Focus areas
  • Natural selection’s role in population changes over time
  • Genetic mutations and selective pressures
  • Evidence for evolution, including fossil records and DNA
  • Final project: Designing an age-appropriate museum exhibit on evolution
WHAT CAN I CONTROL?

This Quest explores the impact of screens on human biology and behavior through scientific experimentation.
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Learning objectives
  • Designing and conducting controlled experiments
  • Applying neuroscience to understand screen impacts
  • Exploring biases in scientific research
  • Developing skills in scientific reporting and peer review
  • Publishing findings in the Millennium Scientific Journal
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HOW DO WE REACH NEW HEIGHTS?

In this engineering Quest, students design, build, and launch bottle rockets.
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Key activities
  • Constructing rockets for maximum flight time and payload survival
  • Exploring physics and motion, including Newton’s Laws
  • Iterative design process based on test launch data
  • Final rocket launch as the culmination of the design process
Understanding Self & Society

Humanities

The Humanities curriculum at Millennium integrates history, social sciences, and English language arts to cultivate students’ understanding of themselves and their place in the world. A critical aim is to develop strong readers and writers. Our comprehensive approach develops critical and creative thinking skills, fosters appreciation for diverse perspectives and cultures, and enhances written and oral communication abilities.
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LEARNING APPROACH

Students engage in projects and seminars designed to illuminate the world around and within them. By exploring essential stories, patterns, and trajectories of human experience, students reflect on their personal beliefs and experiences through fictional and historical characters. This approach helps develop excellence in written and oral communication across all academic disciplines.

Example Humanities Quest Questions
  • Has America Dealt with Slavery?
  • What is the Power of Our Voices?
  • Can the World be Governed?
  • Who Makes History?
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VISION FOR STUDENT GROWTH

The program aims to create a community where adolescents engage their hearts, minds, and spirits within the Humanities. Students are encouraged to find joy, take risks in their learning, and become curious, self-directed learners. By developing these skills, students are better equipped to make a positive impact on the world.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

A core goal of the curriculum is to develop skillful communication. This is woven into the expectations of all courses and academic disciplines, with an emphasis on frequent oral presentations and written proficiency. By exploring human experiences past and present, students develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their role in shaping the future.
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EXAMPLE HUMANITIES COURSE DESCRIPTION

WHAT IS THE POWER OF OUR VOICES?

This Quest explores the power of self-expression through poetry, focusing on personal growth and social impact. Students will:

  • Examine the nature and sources of power
  • Reflect on personal values and passionate issues
  • Develop skills in written and spoken word expression
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Key Learning Activities
  1. Journaling and discussions on power dynamics
  2. Study of poetic craft, including prosody, form, and voice
  3. Analysis of works by poets and changemakers
  4. Creation of original poetry addressing social issues
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The Quest aims to help students align their voices with their values, inspiring them to use poetry as a tool for personal expression and social change. By engaging with various poetic forms and studying impactful communicators, students will learn to craft messages that resonate with their target audience and contribute to broader societal discussions.

Building Mindsets & Real-World Connections

Math

Mathematics is far more than a purely logical, abstract line of study. It’s certainly not just about plugging numbers into a calculator! Math is about building what Stanford professor Jo Boaler calls “Math Mindsets”: cognitive flexibility, creativity, recognizing and appreciating patterns, generating multiple solutions to complex problems, and revealing how one actually thinks.
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DEVELOPING YOUNG MATHEMATICIANS

To develop young mathematicians, a balanced program has been designed that encourages students to appreciate and enjoy math and to see how it relates to the world around them. Math plays a vital role in daily life, and helping students make these connections and observations is an integral part of class.
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KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will:

  1. Develop an understanding of mathematical language and symbols
  2. Analyze and apply mathematical concepts to solve real-life problems
  3. Build confidence in abstract and logical thinking
  4. Cultivate patience and persistence when solving problems using a growth mindset

FLEXIBLE LEARNING PATHWAYS

Our Math program incorporates various pathways to ensure that students are appropriately challenged and prepared for rigorous High School programs. All students have the opportunity to take Algebra in 8th grade, and a small group of accelerated students have the opportunity to take high school Geometry. Students have the flexibility to progress faster or take more time to shore up their skills as needed throughout the program.
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CURRICULUM STRUCTURE

Students have Math class four times per week. Additionally, they use math skills and mindsets in an applied way as part of their interdisciplinary Quest classes, reinforcing the practical applications of mathematical concepts.