Career Studies
Below are descriptions of the career studies courses (CSI) offered at Elm Middle School, as well as a video overview of the classes. To watch the video, scroll down or use this link for quick access.
The faculty members who teach CSI classes are drawn from Elm's academic departments. To see a listing of the career studies faculty, scroll down or use this link to jump to the directory.
Our students help determine which career studies courses are offered each year. They take a survey toward the beginning of Trimester 2. The results of this survey help guide our selection of classes for the following year.
Please note that career studies courses are 30-minute, 12-week-long pass/fail classes that expose students to multiple career pathways. Students take one career studies class each trimester, or three per year. The goal is for students to gain a wide exposure to possible career fields in 6th and 7th grade, and then to begin narrowing their focus in 8th grade.
Video Overview
Architecture
Grade Level: 8
This course, which explores architecture as a career option, was offered for the first time in 2022-23. The course is open to 8th graders only.
Business
Grade Level: 6-8
This course explores business management operations. Through hands-on instructional activities, students will have opportunities to apply their skills to simulating the creation of a new business. Students will learn about basic business ideas that affect fundamental business decisions such as the feasibility of a business. They will gain an understanding of the financial requirements for starting and maintaining a healthy business venture. Students will determine how to identify, reach and retain customers in a specific target market using a marketing plan. They will also learn about possible career options in the business management area.
Creative Writing
Grade Level: 6-8
For many hundreds of years, literature has been one of the most important human art forms. It allows us to give voice to our emotions, create imaginary worlds, express ideas and escape the confines of material reality. Through creative writing, we can come to better understand ourselves and our world. This course can provide you with a solid grounding in the writing process, from finding inspiration to building a basic story. Then, when you are ready to go beyond the basics, learn more complicated literary techniques to create strange hybrid forms of poetry and prose. By the end of this course, you can better discover your creative thoughts and turn those ideas into fully realized pieces of creative writing.
Entrepreneurship
Grade Level: 6-8
What does it really take to own your own business? Does the sound of being your own boss make you feel excited or anxious? Either way, this course will get you started in the right direction. It explains the ins and outs of starting your own business, giving you the confidence needed to be your very own boss. You will discover what is needed to operate a personal business from creating a plan, generating financing and pricing products to marketing services and managing employees. If you've ever dreamed of being a true entrepreneur but feel daunted by the prospect, this is your chance to learn all you need to know.
Game Design
Grade Level: 6-8
We all love to play video games — but have you ever wanted to build your own? If you are interested in a career in technology but also want a creative outlet, game design might be the field for you. Learn how to build a game from the ground up in this interactive and hands-on course, which will teach you all the ins and outs of making your own game. You will learn the importance of game structure and discover what makes a game fun, challenging and interesting to players just like you. You will also have the opportunity to explore the design and creative process involved in game creation, learn block-based programs, and experiment with character and story development. As a bonus, you will leave the course with a digital portfolio of everything.
Health Sciences
Grade Level: 8
This course, which will explore health sciences as a career option, will be offered for the first time in 2022-23. The course will be open to 8th graders only.
Hospitality & Tourism
Grade Level: 6-8
Think about the best travel location you’ve ever heard about. Now imagine working there in the 21st century, when travel is more exciting than ever, with people traversing the globe in growing numbers. This course, Hospitality and Tourism 1: Traveling the Globe, will introduce you to a thriving industry that caters to the needs of travelers through managing hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, resorts, theme parks and any other kind of hospitality you can imagine. Operating busy tourist locations, creating marketing around the world of leisure and travel, spotting trends and planning tasteful events are just a few of the key aspects you will explore in the course as you locate your own career niche in this exciting field.
Psychology
Grade Level: 6-8
Have you ever wondered why you do the things you do? Have you asked yourself if self-knowledge is the key to self-improvement? Are you interested in how behavior changes as we age? Psychology can give you the answers. In this course, Personal Psychology 1: The Road to Self-Discovery, you will trace the development of personality and behavior from infancy through adulthood. You will learn more about perception and consciousness and better understand the role of sensation. Ready to explore the world of human behavior? Come explore all that psychology can offer to truly understand the human experience.
Sociology
Grade Level: 6-8
Human beings are complex creatures; however, when they interact and begin to form relationships and societies, things become even more complicated. Are we more likely to act differently in a group than we will when we're alone? How do we learn how to be “human”? Sometimes it can feel as if there are more questions than answers. This course seeks to answer these questions and many more as it explores culture, group behavior and societal institutions, and how they affect human behavior. You'll learn how social beliefs form and how this shapes our lives. How does this happen? Join us and find out!