STEAM2 Electives

The Fall Musical Elective invites students to be introduced to the world of Theater Production! Students learn the importance of being a part of a creative collaborative environment. Students will be exposed to all elements of a theater production; on stage and behind the scenes and how these sections work together to bring a musical from the page to the stage. Our students will be guided by a team of professional stage directors, vocal coaches, set designers, choreographers and makeup artists. Our students will learn a wide range of skills including the audition & rehearsal process; acting, vocal and dance techniques; stage management, makeup & costuming basics; scenic painting and set design. Past productions have included: The Little Mermaid, James and the Giant Peach, Grease, and Newsies.

The surfing elective is so rad.  Students study the history, music, cinema, board and fin design, and ocean dynamics that make surfing such a soulful endeavor.  At Campus Point on surf trips, students receive expert surf instruction and experience the thrill of surfing for themselves.  Students also design and implement plans to help keep our ocean and beaches healthy. Bring your stoke, your aloha, and let's go surfing!

Students will learn the fundamentals of coding with our sphero robots. Each student will have their own robot and depending on skill level, students will use block coding or javascript to guide their robot through a series of tasks. Some tasks of interest include: building a maze, sphero olympics, and bridge building.

Students in the Service Brigade elective develop leadership, organization, and community service skills by supporting both school and local nonprofit initiatives. Responsibilities include organizing schoolwide donation drives, collecting and sorting items, tracking contributions, and participating in field trips to deliver donations to community organizations.

Students also plan and coordinate all aspects of the Middle School Winter Dance, which includes collaboration with other local independent middle schools. Throughout the year, they help prepare and organize three Special Lunch events for the school community.

Additional responsibilities include managing “Walter,” the school vending machine, by stocking inventory and tracking food and beverage sales. Students also volunteer with local nonprofits, participate in community service field trips throughout the Santa Barbara area, and support campus projects related to holidays, special events, and school beautification.

Training Camp provides the physical training that will help you adapt to any sport you might choose. This athletic training course is designed to help increase coordination, agility, quickness, reaction time, jumping strength and endurance.

Students will explore the masters of Pop art, learning how to use popular culture, the signature bold and bright colors, along with the techniques to create comic style portraits. This art style is a fun and funky way to express the mainstream images and popular figures using all different mediums. We will explore mediums such as printmaking, collage, and textiles. Get ready to think big, color outside the lines, and turn everyday inspiration into bold works of art worthy of the spotlight!

Students develop confidence, communication, and performance skills through a variety of public speaking and competitive speech activities. Areas of study include Original Oratory, where students write and deliver persuasive speeches; Oral Interpretation, which focuses on dramatically presenting published works; and Impromptu Speaking, where students practice thinking quickly and speaking eloquently on topics given in the moment. Students also participate in Duet Acting by performing scenes from published plays with a partner, and Debate, a structured partner activity that teaches argumentation, collaboration, and competitive speaking skills within a formal set of rules.

Students learn to relax, improve balance, gain flexibility, and build strength. In this class students will stretch their way into calmness and clarity by connecting movement to breath. In addition, Nurse Bower will be joining us to share journaling, aromatherapy, meditation, vision-boarding, and other self-care/mindfulness practices, reducing stress and having fun! Yogis will also enjoy field trips to practice in the park and at a local yoga studio followed by a Backyard Bowls treat!

Get ready to fly! Students will build mini Crazyflie drones and learn to fly them through a variety of challenges and obstacles using a drone flight simulator and block coding. We will also learn how drones are used in real-world scenarios in the air, water and on land. We may even have the opportunity to enter a worldwide competition this term by completing and showcasing drone micro-missions along the way!

In this Ceramics elective, students will begin by learning the foundational techniques of hand building with clay. They will explore how to properly join clay pieces together, roll and shape sturdy slabs, and use coils and pinch pots to create functional and artistic personal projects. Along the way, students will become familiar with a variety of clay tools and techniques while developing creativity, patience, and craftsmanship. Students will also learn the glazing process, including how to apply finishes and colors to complete their final ceramic pieces.

During the second part of the course, students will have the opportunity to experience wheel throwing and learn the basics of working on the pottery wheel. They will practice centering clay and shaping bowls, cups, and other ceramic forms while gaining an appreciation for the skill and artistry involved in wheel-thrown pottery.

The School of Rock elective is designed for students of all experience levels, from complete beginners trying an instrument for the first time to intermediate and advanced musicians looking to strengthen their skills and perform with others. Whether students already play an instrument, sing, or simply have an interest in making music, this class provides a fun, supportive environment where everyone can collaborate, jam, and create great music together.

Students learn the art of live music performance through rehearsals, group collaboration, and performance practice while building confidence as musicians and performers. Participants have the opportunity to learn a new instrument or continue developing abilities on instruments they already play, including guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, or vocals. Along the way, students explore rhythm, timing, stage presence, teamwork, and the creative process involved in putting together live performances. School of Rock is about enjoying music, expressing creativity, and experiencing the excitement of playing together as a band. 

In this elective we will explore the world of alternative sports.  Including pickleball, disc golf, slacklining, ultimate frisbee, table tennis, soccer golf, ball golf, hiking and more.  If you would like to learn a new sport or play on one you already enjoy, this elective is for you!

Slam dunk your way into fundamentals. Our basketball 101 class is perfect for those looking to refresh their skills. Learn the essentials of dribbling, shooting, passing and defense in a supportive and engaging environment.

To explore the rich and diverse world of tacos in the Santa Barbara area, "The Magic of the Taco" takes you on a culinary adventure, allowing you to savor and dissect the flavors, techniques, and cultural nuances behind this beloved dish. You'll have the unique opportunity to make fresh tortillas, taste a variety of tacos from local eateries, master the art of crafting the tacos from scratch, and critically analyze the distinctions between the different taquerias. The taquerias we are planning to visit are the following: Flor de Maiz, Los Arroyos, Santo Mezcal, and Mony’s.  

We will start with a square to learn the knit and purl stitches. Once you master these two basic stitches, you will knit a ribbed scarf. Mid-term, we will visit The Knit Shop, the new knitting store in Santa Barbara. You will have the opportunity to buy yarn for a project of your choosing.

In this wellness elective, students will explore a different area of personal well-being during each class meeting through the themes of motivation, movement, and maximization. Using videos, podcast clips, outdoor activities, research, discussions, and debates, students will examine how healthy habits and intentional choices can positively impact their daily lives. The class also encourages students to reflect on and plan for their own current needs, priorities, goals, and aspirations.

The motivation component focuses on exploring new perspectives, gaining knowledge, and trying new experiences in order to stay inspired, curious, and engaged. During movement sessions, students will learn about the importance of physical activity, the different types of movement our bodies need, and the connection between exercise, nutrition, energy, and overall health. The maximization portion of the course encourages students to think about time management, productivity, goal setting, and how to create environments and routines that help them reach their fullest potential while maintaining balance and well-being.

Looking for a fun outlet to contribute your thoughts on local food, parks, art, or music? Join SB Culture Blog and compose thoughtful pieces on what you love through first-hand experiences, such as dining at restaurants, hiking through gardens, exploring museums, and more. Part of SB culture is the amazing selection of nonprofits in town, so we’ll be choosing one to volunteer with as well. This elective will help you learn techniques for how to express your passions clearly, creatively, and effectively.

This is a great elective for anyone who loves working with young children. At the beginning of each week, you will meet with the Lower School Division Head to learn more about teaching and working with our littlest students. For the majority of class, you will spend time helping in one lower school classroom. At the end of the term, you will plan and lead an activity for the little ones to do. A field trip to get supplies (and maybe a treat along the way) will help prepare for this final activity. 

Level Up is an exciting, high-energy elective designed to help students build confidence, develop life skills, and start thinking about their future—all while having a great time. This fast-paced class combines teamwork, games, sports training, challenges, motivational activities, and interactive discussions to create an engaging experience where fun always comes first.

Students will explore goal setting, leadership, resilience, and personal growth while learning how to navigate the journey toward future careers and opportunities. Through mentorship, motivational documentaries, team-building activities, and fitness-based challenges, students will discover how discipline, mindset, adaptability, and perseverance can help them succeed both in and out of the classroom.

Whether students are interested in athletics, leadership, business, creativity, or simply becoming the best version of themselves, Level Up encourages them to step outside their comfort zones, support one another, and develop skills that will help them handle whatever life throws their way. This elective is all about building motivation, confidence, and momentum for the future in a positive, energetic environment.

The chess elective is for all ability levels. Students completely new to chess and aspiring grandmasters alike are invited to participate. We will continually develop new strategies and tactics to employ and test their success or failure with a critical eye. We will experiment with chess clocks to see the effect of limited thinking time on conducting an action plan. We will apply logic to each move on the board to exploit an advantage. Learning to apply a critical eye to the chessboard will prime your brain to tackle logic problems of all types around the globe.

Our students will learn about the visual language of graphic novels and industry terms like composition, layout, panels, gutters, splashes, bleeds, and close-ups. Here are the basic terms: composition, layout, panels, gutters, splashes, bleeds, and close-ups. Students will read and study 2-3 graphic novels, and then harness the power of ProCreate, the industry-leading digital illustration tool, to draft, ink, and finalize their very own original graphic narratives.

In Podcasting, students will listen to and discuss various podcasts currently available - both from the past and present, and simultaneously, students will learn about the relatively brief, though incredibly dense, history of podcasts. Next, students will begin to brainstorm, plan, and choose their own style and topic for their own podcast that will be recorded, edited, and presented by the end of the term. Once podcast planning begins, students will be able to work individually or in pairs, but the class as a whole is designed to be collaborative, and will learn and practice conversational skills, interview techniques, and narrative-building as a group.

Logo Design, 3D Printing, Sound Engineering, Circuitry, Virtual Reality Design and more! Other possible projects could include learning to use the Cricut machines, stop motion claymation, and game building with Bloxels! Come experience all the “DEC” that the CDEC has to offer this term!

This elective is packed with hands-on culinary excitement, starting with visits to local bakeries to find inspiration and shopping trips to gather fresh ingredients for our upcoming projects. Students will master the basics during our "make your own pizza dough" day before turning up the heat with a high-energy, themed cake-decorating relay race. The week culminates in the ultimate baking showdown: Riviera Ridge’s CUPCAKE WARS!

Since as far back in time as the late Pleistocene Epoch, with evidence of Santa Rosa Island occupation by humans dating back some 13,000 years (NOAA.gov), humans have gathered food resources from our local waters and islands.  Students in the fishing elective will carry on this local tradition, learning lessons of the history, art, and science of fishing; the importance of sustainable harvest; and the great respect for local ecology that comes from learning how, when, where, and why to fish.  Students will tie knots, sling lures, drop baits, and, with a little fishermens' luck, feel the tug at the end of the line.  These young anglers will fish the pier, the nearshore waters, and even head out on a chartered fishing boat to catch rockfish.  This year will also include some teaching from local fishermen, purveyors, and cooks about the whole process from sea to table.  Fish on! 

Join us and learn beyond the classroom and into the great outdoors! In this elective, you will explore a few local hiking trails, immersing yourself in the natural beauty that surrounds us. You will learn about the type of trails in our area, including its terrain, local fauna, and unique flora. Whether it’s a peaceful walk to the rouse garden  or an invigorating hike through the mountains, every adventure is designed to deepen your connection with nature.

Unleash your inner street artist in this dynamic elective where you will transition from the sketchbook to the pavement. Students will master the fundamental techniques of large-scale street painting, learning the precision of gridding, advanced chalk blending, and strategic planning. After conceptualizing and executing a custom mural right here on campus, the course culminates in a high-profile community experience: planning and debuting a bold, original masterpiece at the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival this May.