Classes meet for one quarter which means they are roughly 9 weeks long. They meet at the same time every day and include additional work outside of the normal meeting times. Typically, the only classes offered are Math and Science courses which need to meet for an extended period of time to cover course objectives that are difficult to replicate in a project-based learning setting. Grading for classes follows a more traditional model and hours worked are not tracked.
Seminars meet for anywhere from 2 – 8 weeks. Students can combine a seminar with an independent project to earn credit for a particular course or they can combine multiple seminars to earn credit. Seminars are designed to offer high interest course work that is many times designed around specific student requests.
8:00 – 9:30
Angela Wardlow
Course Number 3401 – Section 3AW
Students should complete both semesters of Algebra before enrolling in Geometry
This course is designed to help students learn and apply geometric concepts to the real world. Topics include similar figures, congruency, measurement, parallelism, polygons, circles, area, volume, and surface area. Technology is integrated throughout the course to explore geometric concepts.
9:00 – 10:30
Ashley Brunette
Course Number 3201 – Section 3CB
Algebra introduces students to variables, algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, functions, and all their multiple representations. In this class, students will develop the ability to explore and solve real-world application problems and communicate mathematical ideas clearly.
12:00 – 1:30
Angela Wardlow
Course Numbers 3561 or 3562 – Section 3IW
Students will be able to apply the mathematical skills necessary to design scale models and blueprints in order to create products with the Glowforge, Cricut, and 3d printer.
1:30 – 3:00
Ashley Brunette
Course Number 3601 – Section 3LB
Students complete both semesters of Geometry before enrolling in Algebra 2
Algebra 2 is intended to help students enrich their skills and develop more concepts beyond basic algebra as they prepare for higher level mathematic courses. Students will study real numbers, operations, and patterns as they extend their understanding of algebraic concepts.
8:00 – 9:00
Kellen Lynch
Section – 3AL (Course numbers should be given to you by your CREW teacher)
Students will explore how the Science Fiction genre developed and predicted the future. Students will take their knowledge to create something that predicts the future.
9:00 – 10:00
Kellen Lynch
Section – 3CL (Course numbers should be given to you by your CREW teacher)
Students will explore the Bard’s comedies. Students will explore Shakespeare’s life and times through his work. Students WILL read a play (As You Like It), etc.
10:00 – 11:00
Kayleigh Bitters
Section – 3EB (Course numbers should be given to you by your CREW teacher)
In this seminar, students will engage in critical discussions surrounding feminism & gender studies. We will be reading a survey of feminist literature to help generate discussions about oppression, gender norms, cultural identity, & more.
Students will engage in a variety of discussion formats & learn valuable skills in effective communication & citizenship.
Students will learn the impact of words & how to use their own to educate and elicit social change around feminism and gender ideals.
**This seminar will discuss mature themes & sensitive topics**
12:00 – 1:00
Erin Hanson-Baisley
Section – 3IH (Course numbers should be given to you by your CREW teacher)
In this fun English Seminar we will be working with a guest artist from the Milwaukee Repertory Theater on their production of As You Like it…
“The Beatles meet the Bard in this rollicking, celebratory musical take on William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. It’s 1960s British Columbia and love is in the air as a handful of cross-dressing lovers lead to mistaken identities, hilarious mishaps and loads of laughs. Interwoven into Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy, the production features over 20 Beatles songs performed live including “She Loves You,”“I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Let It Be.” Audiences will be rolling with laughter and singing along to some of the best songs ever written.”
We will read and analyze the script, explore the characters, dive into the music of the Beatles and how it works with the plot, as well as look at all aspects of theater production. We will attend a live performance of As you Like it on March 15, 2022 and participate in a full immersion experience as we see the theater production process up close. Project ideas could include; Creating your own Story/ musical with a twist using an existing or original story and pairing it with unrelated music, a study of the Beatles and their impact on culture of the 1960s, A study of Shakespearean Literature and his impact on Literature, or other ideas you think of during the seminar.
12:30 – 2:00
Kayleigh Bitters and Kellen Lynch
Section – 3JL (Course numbers should be given to you by your CREW teacher)
D&D is an immersive role-playing game where players create intricate characters and backstories and play as them in a campaign of another player’s (Dungeon Master) design. It pushes an individual’s imagination and critical thinking in a quick-paced and exciting atmosphere.
In this seminar, students will fabricate their game equipment (dice, trays & bags, mini-figures, partitions, etc.), develop intricate character designs and build the world in which they will play in through effective writing techniques, and play in student-designed and run campaigns to challenge their creativity, critical thinking, and imagination to work together with their party to overcome challenges and progress the campaign.
This will be a largely student-led seminar, where the teachers will provide the structure and resources, but once the students understand the mechanics of the game, they will facilitate the day-to-day progression of the course.
8:00 – 9:00
Michelle Burton
Integrated Science Course Number 4230 – Section 3AB
Create a travel expedition passport for you and your family to virtually or someday “in real-life” travel to your dream destination. Do you have a special place you visit every year? Or do you have a national or state park you have always wanted to visit? Take this seminar to learn about all the interesting information including the science related to that travel destination. Create your own google maps/directions, learn about the plants, animals, other wildlife, geology, and astronomy of your own natural haven. Determine the best time to visit based upon the weather conditions and recreational activities you want to do. Check out the stargazing and night sky that will be illuminated during your visit. Projects are student driven by interest. Last year we won a $500 grant and designed and engineered stream tables and gave a 3rd grade interactive demo of our stream tables project.
9:30 – 11:00
Jenny Olechowski
Course Number 4301 – Section 3DO
“This course focuses on the fundamental principles of chemistry. Topics include the classification of matter, properties of elements and compounds, problem solving, atomic theory, and the periodic table. This course includes laboratory activities in which the student will read, collect, and interpret data.
Required for graduation.
Student must complete semester 1 before enrolling in semester 2.”
12:00 – 1:30
Michelle Burton
Course Number 4101 – Section 3IB
Have you ever wondered how you are so dependent on all livings that surround you? Do you want to see your hair or bees under a microscope? Biology is an introductory science course where you the students will study the organization of living things, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and the relationship between biology and society. The scientific process and laboratory skills are emphasized along with biology’s connections to other scientific disciplines. Students develop scientific reading and writing skills as they participate in our class. Biology 1 and Biology 2 are required for graduation at Dottke PBL High School.
1:30 – 3:00
Jenny Olechowski
Course Number 4131 – Section 3LO
This course focuses on the biology of the human body. In this seminar you will explore the organization of the human body, the main functions of the body systems and the fundamentals of medical terminology.
This is a science elective.
Student must complete biology semester 1 and 2 before enrolling in this course.
1:30 – 3:00
Michelle Burton
Course Number 4210 – Section 3LB
This science elective class is designed to increase the student’s awareness of environmental issues. Potential discussing could potential include questions like-Since global warming is affecting the polar bears, how can we help them to not go extinct? Do you think Earth will ever run out of water? What would happen if everyone in the world stopped recycling? What kind of pollution bothers you most on a day-to-day basis? What kind of pollution is worst for our health? What do you do with a piece of trash when there is no trash can near you? Hands on work, guest speakers, and field trips may be utilized to enhance the units covered throughout the course. Individual and group projects are required in this course. Please make sure to take biology 1 and 2 OR chem 1 and 2 prior to signing up for environmental science.
8:00 – 9:00
Dave Stolpe
Course Numbers 5041 and 5042 – Section 3AS
The impact of human activity on the natural world around us has been more significant and damaging over the last 100 to 150 years than in all of human history prior to that. From deforestation, and pollution to Overfishing and Climate Change, in this course we will explore the history of the impact of human activity on the natural world, and how the environmental movement has developed from the ethics of conservation and preservation to international policy reforms and climate action.
12:00 – 1:00
Dave Stolpe
Course Numbers 5251 and 5252 – Section 3IS
In this class we will explore religions of the world, and how the beliefs and practices of those religious tracitios shape the world around them for both the followers of that faith as well as those who do not ascribe to those religions.
8:00 – 9:00
Phil Frahm
Course Number 5750 – Section 3AF
In this seminar, we will analyze how governments throughout history have used mass media to get their citizens to want to do certain things and/or believe certain things. We will also study the psychology of advertising and the tactics that retailers use to get us to buy more of their products and/or services. Students will complete assignments and small projects throughout the course of the seminar. This seminar will meet two times per week and will be worth half of the “credit hours” to get the .5 credit. Students will need to either enroll in another seminar related to this credit at some point or they will need to complete an additional independent project apart from this seminar.
8:00 – 9:00
Phil Frahm
Course Number 5860 – Section 3AF
In this seminar, we will analyze how governments throughout history have used mass media to get their citizens to want to do certain things and/or believe certain things. We will also study the psychology of advertising and the tactics that retailers use to get us to buy more of their products and/or services. Students will complete assignments and small projects throughout the course of the seminar. This seminar will meet two times per week and will be worth half of the “credit hours” to get the .5 credit. Students will need to either enroll in another seminar related to this credit at some point or they will need to complete an additional independent project apart from this seminar.
1:00 – 2:00
Rob Tegtmeier
Course Number 5880 – Section 3KT
We will use current issues and events to learn about how our government works. We will also work on how you can make your voice heard in our society through voting, issue advocacy and understanding what parts of government can make the changes you want.
2:00 – 3:00
Rob Tegtmeier
Course Number 5870 – Section 3MS
MEDIA LITERACY is a way of thinking about the media; a way of deconstructing media messages to gain more control over them. In this class, we’ll be deconstructing media content–photographs, newspaper articles, advertisements, tv shows, movies, documentaries, public relations materials, websites–and developing an understanding of how this media content influences us and how we in turn can influence others. We’ll also discuss the importance of multiple points of view, and learn to identify our (U.S.) media’s powerful leanings towards commercialism, individualism, and specific ideologies. This class aims to help you become media literate, but also to think more strongly about the media as they relate to citizenship and democracy.
8:00 – 9:00
Jenny Olechowski
Course Number 9901 – Section 3AO
Emotional Health and Stress emphasis is on recognition of, and enhancing awareness about, how stress affects human health and performance. Stress management techniques such as relaxation, effective communication, cognitive-behavioral approaches, eating behaviors, regular exercise, and time management are explored.
9:00 – 10:00
Phil Frahm
Personal Finance Course Number 6670/Independent Living Course Number 9460 – Section 3CF
In this seminar, we will be looking at various topics that relate to being an adult, such as options for getting your taxes done, opening a bank account, obtaining a credit card, workplace etiquite, dressing professionally, personality typing and how to relate to others better, etc. Most of what we cover will be decided by the students of this seminar at the beginning of the quarter. Students will complete assignments and small projects throughout the course of the seminar. This seminar will meet two times per week and will be worth half of the “credit hours” to get the .5 credit. Students will need to either enroll in another seminar related to this credit at some point or they will need to complete an additional independent project apart from this seminar.
10:30 – 11:00
Phil Frahm
Course Number 9001 – Section Number 3FF
Students will participate in a variety of sports and activities using various types of racquets/paddles/hockey sticks, etc.
2:30 – 3:00
Phil Frahm
Course Number 9001 – Section Number 3NF
Students will be expected to participate in some sort of physical activity every day that they attend this class.
10:00 – 11:00
Rob Tegtmeier
Independent Business Course Number 6981 – Section 3ET
The Phoenix Cafe is Dottke High Schools student run coffee shop. If you want to be a part of designing, making, and selling items at the cafe during Flex 40 sign up for this seminar.
12:00 – 1:00
Rob Tegtmeier
Outdoor Adventure Course Number 9830 – Section 3IT
We will be learning about riding, maintaining and fixing bikes. We will be building out our state of the art bike shop sponsored by Trek. You will also have a chance to ride one of our fleet of new Trek X-Caliber 7 bikes. No experience needed.
2:00 – 3:00
Kayleigh Bitters
This course is designed to develop drawing, painting, and printmaking skills. The fundamentals of observational drawing are emphasized as students learn about the elements (line, shape/form, color, texture/pattern, space) and principles (balance, rhythm, unity, contrast, emphasis) of design and how they relate to each other in a composition.
Any time a student is not in a class, a seminar or at lunch, they are in Advisory working on individual or group projects. Projects can be assigned from classes and in conjunction with seminars, but can also be done outside of the scope of a class or seminar.
