Here are a few of the innovative courses designed by Kiski teachers to engage young men through hands-on activities that incorporate technology and critical thinking.
Robotics. In this hands-on introduction to simple machines, students study sensors and movement, employing mathematics, physics, and computer programming skills to build autonomous robots.
Kiski Survival Arts. After a semester studying a variety of art, woodworking, environmental science, and design concepts, boys "take to the woods" to test their ability to survive in nature using only primitive materials. The culminating event is the unveiling of a major design-and-build project, which has most recently included the construction of igloos and kayaks.
Inventionland. In this interdisciplinary, project-based course, students will use hands-on, real -world innovative technology and entrepreneurial skills to take their own original ideas and turn them into working prototypes. Students learn the methods developed by Inventionland founder and CEO George Davison`82. Teams work collaboratively to generate ideas and develop a concept model, and then engineer each part of their invention in the Innovation Lab, using CAD technology. Each team’s design is made using 3-D printing technology. To visually sell their idea, each team will use the graphic design tool Adobe Illustrator to construct the external packaging for their invention. Teams then create a product sample of their invention, develop a marketing pitch and film an infomercial. The course culminates in a “Shark Tank” presentation in front of professional entrepreneurs and inventors.