Applied Skills - Kelowna Christian School
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Applied Skills

Creativity is a core value at Kelowna Christian School. We see our students and staff being creative and flexible in their approach to changing and new challenges.

The BC curriculum requires students to participate in Applied Design, Skills & Technologies (ADST) courses, which focus on designing and maker skills and the application of technologies. Our diverse programs give students the opportunity to acquire valuable life skills and leadership capabilities as they learn to work both independently and collaboratively in a wide range of career-related offerings. Each course provides a variety of opportunities for students to explore and experience new activities both in and outside of the classroom, allowing students to discover areas of interest and aptitude, and develop valuable life skills.

EXPLORATIONS

Middle School years mark a significant formational time in students’ lives. To support their development, KCS provides a variety of exploratory and elective courses to provide a variety of opportunities for students to explore and experience new activities both in and outside of the classroom, allowing students to discover areas of interest and aptitude, and develop valuable life skills.

Grade 6/7 Explorations is an opportunity for students to mix together in cross-graded groups to explore various Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies (ADST) concepts and opportunities. Students are placed in class-sized groups that participate twice a week in modules that explore design elements, new skills, and technology, culminating in a final project.

Grade 8 Explorations courses provide a variety of learning experiences that offer greater breadth, promote a well-rounded learning philosophy, and give students an introduction to electives in High School, with more movement, choice, and variety of teachers. 

Examples of Explorations courses that have been offered previously include the ADST courses on Entrepreneurship, Food, Leadership Development, Technology, Textiles, Woodworking, and Yearbook and the Personal Development courses on 3D Art, Band, Drama, Visual Arts, and Vocal Music.

APPLIED SKILLS + TECHNOLOGY

Photo from Engineering 11/12 showing Grade 3 students how to design, create, and launch rockets

In the Applied Skills curriculum, students grow through the use of design thinking principles. This approach helps students understand how to apply their skills to both finding challenges and solving them creatively, using appropriate technologies for the task at hand.

Courses in Media Design, Information Technologies, Electronics, Woodworking, Yearbook, Gym Assistant, Outdoor Education, Engineering, and Food Studies allow students to hone their skills and expand their knowledge in areas of interest. Expert instruction and hands-on training challenge students to engage their minds and hands in developing practical, innovative, and creative responses to everyday needs and challenges.