NSO Course Catalog

This online course will provide you the opportunity to look at your own unique set of interests, aptitudes, skills, values and personality as they relate to this career exploration experience. As you work through this course you will build a personal portfolio from the information you obtain. You will be investigating in depth the career fields of Auto Body, Construction Trades, Culinary Arts and Auto Mechanics.

Syllabus

The main purpose of this course is to introduce you to the study of Cosmetology. Students will explore career options in the field of cosmetology. Research into some of the common techniques used in caring for hair, nails, and skin in salons, spas, and other cosmetology-related businesses will also be presented.

Syllabus

Careers in Criminal Justice is a course designed to learn the ins and outs of the criminal justice system in the United States, and spark interest in possible careers in the field. You will begin the course developing an understanding of how the criminal justice system works and its history. This includes a study of criminal law, the prison system, and criminal trials. Then you will consider all of the possible job opportunities in this field, and how each of those jobs operates.

Syllabus

This internship course explores careers and training in a supervised internship setting. Combines theory with field experience in the field of human services. Students spend approximately 2.5 hours per week per credit on the job and complete academic work. Students may earn 2 college credits through Normandale Community College. Students wishing to earn concurrent college credit must be a junior or senior and earn a B- or better.

Syllabus

Art Mentorship is ​an ​advanced​ learning ​experience ​for high school students ​who ​seek a challenge,​ and ​who ​are ​ready ​to ​explore ​their academic and professional ​goals ​for ​the ​future.​

The complete series is the equivalent of two year-long courses in a student’s schedule, recognizing the significant time commitment given to the experience.

Students will spend the first part of the year learning about professional skill building, becoming acquainted with the literature of the profession, and conducting informational interviews with experts in the field. From these interviews the students will nominate a mentor, the person with whom they will work for the rest of the school year and complete a professional-level project that has real-world application. The student is expected to spend four to six hours per week under the guidance of the mentor.

Assignments include:

• Developing a professional resume
• Conducting informational interviews
• Reading and annotating articles from professional journals
• Watching and summarizing TedTalks lectures relevant to area of study
• Creating a professional-level project under the mentor’s guidance
• Developing an electronic professional portfolio

Art Mentorship students develop an early professional reputation through a mutually beneficial mentor-protégé relationship, as they find ways in their day-to-day work at their mentorship sites to contribute to the mentor’s goals. They build skills in the areas of professional development, personal development, and leadership. Their experiences build a network of professionals and leaders, as well as peers who are emerging professionals and leaders.

For additional information, please visit Honors Mentor Connection Online.

Chemistry and Life Science Mentorship is ​an ​advanced​ learning ​experience ​for high school students ​who ​seek a challenge,​ and ​who ​are ​ready ​to ​explore ​their academic and professional ​goals ​for ​the ​future.​

The complete series is the equivalent of two year-long courses in a student’s schedule, recognizing the significant time commitment given to the experience.

Students will spend the first part of the year learning about professional skill building, becoming acquainted with the literature of the profession, and conducting informational interviews with experts in the field. From these interviews the students will nominate a mentor, the person with whom they will work for the rest of the school year and complete a professional-level project that has real-world application. The student is expected to spend four to six hours per week under the guidance of the mentor.

Assignments include:

• Developing a professional resume
• Conducting informational interviews
• Reading and annotating articles from professional journals
• Watching and summarizing TedTalks lectures relevant to area of study
• Creating a professional-level project under the mentor’s guidance
• Developing an electronic professional portfolio

Chemistry and Life Science Mentorship students develop an early professional reputation through a mutually beneficial mentor-protégé relationship, as they find ways in their day-to-day work at their mentorship sites to contribute to the mentor’s goals. They build skills in the areas of professional development, personal development, and leadership. Their experiences build a network of professionals and leaders, as well as peers who are emerging professionals and leaders.

For additional information, please visit Honors Mentor Connection Online.

Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science Mentorship is ​an ​advanced​ learning ​experience ​for high school students ​who ​seek a challenge,​ and ​who ​are ​ready ​to ​explore ​their academic and professional ​goals ​for ​the ​future.​

The complete series is the equivalent of two year-long courses in a student’s schedule, recognizing the significant time commitment given to the experience.

Students will spend the first part of the year learning about professional skill building, becoming acquainted with the literature of the profession, and conducting informational interviews with experts in the field. From these interviews the students will nominate a mentor, the person with whom they will work for the rest of the school year and complete a professional-level project that has real-world application. The student is expected to spend four to six hours per week under the guidance of the mentor.

Assignments include:

• Developing a professional resume
• Conducting informational interviews
• Reading and annotating articles from professional journals
• Watching and summarizing TedTalks lectures relevant to area of study
• Creating a professional-level project under the mentor’s guidance
• Developing an electronic professional portfolio

Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science Mentorship students develop an early professional reputation through a mutually beneficial mentor-protégé relationship, as they find ways in their day-to-day work at their mentorship sites to contribute to the mentor’s goals. They build skills in the areas of professional development, personal development, and leadership. Their experiences build a network of professionals and leaders, as well as peers who are emerging professionals and leaders.

For additional information, please visit Honors Mentor Connection Online.

Medicine and Health Mentorship is ​an ​advanced​ learning ​experience ​for high school students ​who ​seek a challenge,​ and ​who ​are ​ready ​to ​explore ​their academic and professional ​goals ​for ​the ​future.​

The complete series is the equivalent of two year-long courses in a student’s schedule, recognizing the significant time commitment given to the experience.

Students will spend the first part of the year learning about professional skill building, becoming acquainted with the literature of the profession, and conducting informational interviews with experts in the field. From these interviews the students will nominate a mentor, the person with whom they will work for the rest of the school year and complete a professional-level project that has real-world application. The student is expected to spend four to six hours per week under the guidance of the mentor.

Assignments include:

• Developing a professional resume
• Conducting informational interviews
• Reading and annotating articles from professional journals
• Watching and summarizing TedTalks lectures relevant to area of study
• Creating a professional-level project under the mentor’s guidance
• Developing an electronic professional portfolio

Medicine and Health Mentorship students develop an early professional reputation through a mutually beneficial mentor-protégé relationship, as they find ways in their day-to-day work at their mentorship sites to contribute to the mentor’s goals. They build skills in the areas of professional development, personal development, and leadership. Their experiences build a network of professionals and leaders, as well as peers who are emerging professionals and leaders.

For additional information, please visit Honors Mentor Connection Online.

Physical and Environmental Science Mentorship is ​an ​advanced​ learning ​experience ​for high school students ​who ​seek a challenge,​ and ​who ​are ​ready ​to ​explore ​their academic and professional ​goals ​for ​the ​future.​

The complete series is the equivalent of two year-long courses in a student’s schedule, recognizing the significant time commitment given to the experience.

Students will spend the first part of the year learning about professional skill building, becoming acquainted with the literature of the profession, and conducting informational interviews with experts in the field. From these interviews the students will nominate a mentor, the person with whom they will work for the rest of the school year and complete a professional-level project that has real-world application. The student is expected to spend four to six hours per week under the guidance of the mentor.

Assignments include:

• Developing a professional resume
• Conducting informational interviews
• Reading and annotating articles from professional journals
• Watching and summarizing TedTalks lectures relevant to area of study
• Creating a professional-level project under the mentor’s guidance
• Developing an electronic professional portfolio

Physical and Environmental Science Mentorship students develop an early professional reputation through a mutually beneficial mentor-protégé relationship, as they find ways in their day-to-day work at their mentorship sites to contribute to the mentor’s goals. They build skills in the areas of professional development, personal development, and leadership. Their experiences build a network of professionals and leaders, as well as peers who are emerging professionals and leaders.

For additional information, please visit Honors Mentor Connection Online.

Social and Behavioral Science Mentorship is ​an ​advanced​ learning ​experience ​for high school students ​who ​seek a challenge,​ and ​who ​are ​ready ​to ​explore ​their academic and professional ​goals ​for ​the ​future.​

The complete series is the equivalent of two year-long courses in a student’s schedule, recognizing the significant time commitment given to the experience.

Students will spend the first part of the year learning about professional skill building, becoming acquainted with the literature of the profession, and conducting informational interviews with experts in the field. From these interviews the students will nominate a mentor, the person with whom they will work for the rest of the school year and complete a professional-level project that has real-world application. The student is expected to spend four to six hours per week under the guidance of the mentor.

Assignments include:

• Developing a professional resume
• Conducting informational interviews
• Reading and annotating articles from professional journals
• Watching and summarizing TedTalks lectures relevant to area of study
• Creating a professional-level project under the mentor’s guidance
• Developing an electronic professional portfolio

Social and Behavioral Science Mentorship students develop an early professional reputation through a mutually beneficial mentor-protégé relationship, as they find ways in their day-to-day work at their mentorship sites to contribute to the mentor’s goals. They build skills in the areas of professional development, personal development, and leadership. Their experiences build a network of professionals and leaders, as well as peers who are emerging professionals and leaders.

For additional information, please visit Honors Mentor Connection Online.

The SciMent online program is designed to provide talented students an opportunity for high academic achievement in science through independent research, mentoring and competition in the Intel Science and Engineering Fair, the premiere science competition in the world. This course makes it possible for a high school student to complete a project that is traditionally expected of a college senior or graduate student, and is a strong indicator of future academic success.

Enrollment is limited and applicants must interview with the instructor to ensure understanding of program requirements before being admitted.

Throughout the year the students will:
• Study and apply the scientific method
• Investigate existing research on a topic of their choosing
• Contact professionals in this field and establish a mentorship
• Design and conduct a rigorous scientific study
• Draft a research paper
• Submit both their research paper and project in the Intel Science Fair
• Communicate their research findings to their peers and research community

The online course is a natural fit for busy students in need of flexibility in their schedule. The course is designed week-by-week to guide the students as they make connections with scientists and conduct research in the field most interesting to them. They are supported along the way by the instructor, a professional mentor and highly motivated peers also enrolled in the course. In completing a project, students tie in the scientific method, technical writing, public speaking, visual presentation, statistics, and many of the physical sciences, along with networking with peers and other professionals. Students who have successfully completed a project have proven themselves to be ready for many of the rigors of college and the professional world beyond.

Students should register for the series of Science Research A, B, C and D. Additional semesters E and F are also available.

Each segment is the equivalent of a semester credit or block term (.5 credit as reported by NSO to the local school).

They must be taken in series, but timing is flexible. Prospective students must work through their counselor to complete the registration process.

Option 1
A – spring or summer
B&C – fall
D – following spring

Option 2
A – spring or summer
B – summer or fall
C – fall
D – following spring

Option 3
A&B – fall
C&D – spring

The high school student who applies for college having taken this course has several advantages over peers. They are academically unique in their independent pursuit of challenging learning. They have developed a project of professional regard that is of real world benefit. They have cultivated the skills needed to communicate confidently with adults. This course also offers students a professional immersion experience where they can explore the field they hope to pursue before attending college. Whether the experience affirms their career decision or causes the student to identify a preferred career, it happens before the large college investment is made.

For more information view the Sci Ment Program pages, or contact:

Princesa VanBuren Hansen, 612-232-1721, pvanburenhansen@district287.org