http://www.tjhsst.edu

Mission The school’s mission is to provide students a challenging learning environment focused on math, science, and technology, to inspire joy at the prospect of discovery, and to foster a culture of innovation based on ethical behavior and the shared interests of humanity. Current Mission Statement.

Core Skills and Values Critical Inquiry and Research Problem Solving Intellectual Curiosity Social Responsibility In recent years, we have revisited and re-evaluated programs and curriculum at the school and have redefined our goals in four areas that provides the opportunity for improved vertical articulation. Grew out of our SACS process from staff input. Add our definition of what this means to TJ? We hear these terms, but at TJ we live it through our programs.

Business & Technology explosion in Maryland Historical Context: 1985 Nation at Risk Report Business & Technology explosion in Maryland Education challenged to develop private and public sector partnerships A brief overview of three influences on the school in the early 1980’s provides a context for the vision behind the school: Nation at Risk Report Business & Technology corridor on Route 270 in Maryland Lack of business presence in No. VA… needed to help support the growing population in the Northern Virginia counties. Partnership of Business and politicians came up with the idea of magnet school for Sci/Tech. Approached FCPS with assurance that the school system would continue to fund it as a public school, and that additional funds would come from the school’s designation as a Governor’s Regional School.

West Virginia Maryland Virginia DC Loudoun Falls Church Fauquier Prince William Falls Church Arlington Fairfax Fauquier Virginia Maryland West Virginia DC Regional aspect of the school: this map reflects the surrounding jurisdictions that participate by sending their students to TJ. Counties sending their students here are responsible for providing students transportation as well as paying for each student. Some students travel as far as ninety minutes and more one way to get to school in the morning.

The TJPF Partnerships Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. ExxonMobil Fannie Mae Battelle Sun Microsystems FedResults Northrop Grumman Lockheed Martin Orbital Sciences Raytheon Vibration & Sound Solutions Deltek SAIC Micron Google ManTech Business relationships are key to TJ in terms of partnerships supporting our curriculum and programs such as the Mentorship Program, where students and faculty benefit from the expertise brought by each partner. Sharing knowledge between professionals, faculty and students with an eye towards evolving technologies, innovations and fields of research.

Educating the Complete Student Comprehensive Program: Academics Arts Athletics While the focus of the school is clearly defined as Science, Technology and Mathematics, the inter-disciplinary benefits are pursued at every grade level. Students are exposed to and encouraged to participate in a wide range of experiences that can only be found in a comprehensive program. These experiences include student leadership and character development. Comprehensive Program starts a step up; for example, all students have completed Algebra I before beginning studies at TJ. All course work is at the honors level.

Courses For Science & Tech Courses, see next page then Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, Complex Variables Math through Calculus Computer Science 4 years of English 4 years of Social Studies 3 years of Foreign Language Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian, Spanish, including AP 2 years of Physical Education These are some of the requirements of TJ diploma. Over four years students must earn 26 credits. Algebra must be completed before entering TJ. 1 year of Fine Arts For Science & Tech Courses, see next page

Science & Tech Courses 7 courses minimum graduation requirement (the “average” TJ student takes 8.5) 12 Geosystems 11 Physics 10 Chemistry 9 Biology 12 Senior Research Tech Lab 1 year SciTech Elective or AP Science Class 9 Design & Technology 9 10/11 AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, Advanced Optics, Alternative Energy Systems, Analog Electronics, Architectural Drawing, Artificial Intelligence, Astronomy, Audio Electronics, Automation and Robotics, Bionanotechnology, Communication Systems, Computational Physics, Computer Assisted Design, Conventional Energy Systems, Digital Electronics, DNA Science, Introduction to Engineering, Marine Biology, Microprocessor System Design, Nature of Materials, Neuroscience, Organic Chemistry, Parallel Computing, Prototype Development and Processing, Quantum Physics & Nanotechnology, Systems Engineering The following Ven diagram outlines the philosophical foundation of the curriculum at TJ, starting with a quick overview of core course work by area in the first domain of courses and content.

Humanities Innovative Programs Hum I: World History & Geography and English10 Hum II: US/VA History or AP US History & English11 AP Lit in Senior Seminar AP Lang in Topics in Globalization CHUM (Chemistry and Humanities) The Humanities Division while teaching core skills and texts is also a key area of the school for academic innovation. Besides IBET, the teaming of history and English in grades 10 and 11 along with interdisciplinary 12th grade courses such as Senior Seminar and Topics in Globalization are direct responses of a gifted faculty meeting the needs of a gifted student body. Last year saw the introduction of the latest of innovative courses in the Humanities Division: CHUM (Chemistry – Humanities), a 10th grade course.

Building sound research, writing & collaboration skills Humanities Building sound research, writing & collaboration skills Strong habits of Inquiry and Research Collaborative, interdisciplinary projects Communication and Presentation Skills TJ students establish academic habits of inquiry in their Humanities work, employing search methods finding primary sources, vetting Internet and book resources, and bringing curious, well-trained minds to their original research projects. The Humanities classroom gives students real world experience with collaborative, interdisciplinary projects producing effective presentations.

Specialized Programs IBET Geosystems Senior Lab Projects/Mentorship Program Eighth Period In order to better grasp how all of these various goals and philosophies inform our school, it helps to understand our specialized programs starting in the ninth grade and culminating in the twelfth grade. Admissions process. Diverse geographical. TJ diploma.

IBET is how we induct freshmen into Jefferson’s four values and skills. Inducting freshman into a large complex high school with four core values and skills Knowledge is and should be integrated There are exciting real-life problems to solve Problem solving is often better as a team effort Even teachers do better in teams and model teaming regularly for their students Teams require flexibility, listening, sharing, support and humor It provides a safe-haven—a school “home for half of each day It gives every student a group of 72 classmates and four adults to really get to know It allows the counselor to learn about their new counselees as they work and interact with each other “in the field” It allows teams to utilize time in a dramatically different way from the normal period-by-period pattern 13

IBET (Integrated Biology, English and Technology) Integrated English, Biology and Technology Field work: Setting out an area to quantitatively measure salamander egg production and migration.

Class Schedule, IBET Groups Tuesday (90 Minutes) Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Monday (45 Minutes) Period 5 Period 6 Period 7 Period 8 Wednesday A&B Thursday Friday An outline of our schedule through the week with an emphasis on scheduling for IBET.

IBET: Integrated Learning Communication, collaboration, and problem-solving are key components to work success in and out of school The world of work shows students what skills and behaviors are required to be successful provides role models Students learn about local issues through community work Students are active partners with community agencies and teachers in authentic research

Geosystems Senior core science course Analytical, quantitative, systematic Heavy on math, modeling, and data Extend knowledge of physics, chemistry and biology Where it all comes together Geosystems was designed explicitly to exploit the prior science and mathematical preparation of the Thomas Jefferson senior which is unique on such a large scale. It is a calculus based course in which all students have previously taken biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science. Geosystems provides the opportunity to see how the sciences really work together at a level that is unachievable without the degree of preparation of our students. Why not AP Environmental Science? Yes, AP Environmental Science does offer an AP credit, but given that every Jefferson student takes a minimum of four (with an average of six) AP courses, the benefit was considered to be largely outweighed by the opportunity to become the most scientifically literate high school graduates in the nation. Additionally, AP Environmental Science introduces no computer modeling, remote sensing, or the manipulation of large, real time data bases.

past atmospheric & climatic changes Geosystems past atmospheric & climatic changes land area changes sea changes atmosphere hydrosphere “solid” earth biota In lower level courses in the earth sciences, the systems on the left are studied (atmosphere, hydrosphere, solid earth, and the biosphere. Geosystems, however, examines not only those systems, but how they have reacted with each other over time to make huge changes on the earth. Our access and ability to manipulate and model data permit our students to do this level of work.

Geosystems Sea Surface Temperatures 6 cell world climate model Plots from World Seismic Network Geostationary WX Images World Chlorophyll Reflectance Examples of student work. #1 is the visual of the 6-cell atmospheric model that students derive and then use for modeling experiments #2 is an image of the daily sea surface temperatures for the world. This is a data source for the seasonal and long-term analysis of temperature change. #3 is an image of the daily world chlorophyll satellite image used to track both temperatures and biota on the earth #4 TJ has contact with 8 geosynchronous weather satellites that cover the whole planet. We can tell in real time what is occurring weather-wise anywhere in the world. #5 TJ students can plot, manipulate, and analyze any earthquakes on the earth due to software sills and availability of the world seismic network.

Senior Research

Tech Labs Astronomy Microelectronics Automation & Robotics Biotechnology Chemical Analysis Computer Aided Design Computer Systems Energy Systems Communications Systems Microelectronics Oceanography & Geophysics Optics & Modern Physics Prototyping & Engineering Materials Neuroscience

Mentorship On Site Mentorship In House Mentorship Using agencies, research institutes, universities etc.

Class Schedule, Mentorships Tuesday (90 Minutes) Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Monday (45 Minutes) Period 5 Period 6 Period 7 Period 8 Wednesday A&B Thursday Friday An outline of our schedule through the week with an emphasis on scheduling for IBET.

Eighth Period Socialization Service Opportunities Academic Support Reword this slide Students from wide geographical areas, this time provides time to explore interests beyond academics and collaborative projects in addition to leadership and mentoring opportunities

World Languages, Music, Art and PE

School Spirit One Question/One Book Outreach: Tutoring and Mentoring younger students

Student Research

The Jefferson Partnership Fund was established by a group of parents in collaboration with administration and staff to provide further resources and funding for the various specialized programs at TJ that don’t fall under the umbrella of support given all public schools in Fairfax County. This initiative explores and creates new partnerships with businesses, thus extending and enriching our Mentorship and Laboratory Research program collaborations, as well as soliciting support from our growing alumni population and from our parents.

http://www.tjhsst.edu