Advanced Studies at Fernbank
Want to learn about animals, forests, food, robots, and much more? Advanced Studies at Fernbank Science Center may be for you.
This unique experience, available to all high school students, offers hands-on investigations into a variety of specialized areas of science. Students will have the opportunity to study with expert instructors, working in well-equipped laboratories or traveling to the field, seeing plants and animals in their natural habitats. These courses are provided tuition-free to all DeKalb County School System students. The courses are available on a space-available fee basis to other students.
To apply, students must submit an application obtained from their school counselor or you may download one here. To be considered, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, submit a teacher recommendation form from a science teacher and provide a brief statement explaining why they wish to enroll in the course. Please note that the Center's policy requires students to have good attendance. Participants may be dropped from a course after three absences. Please see the detailed course descriptions below.
| Course Descriptions 2011 - 2012 Click here for a printable brochure |
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| Fall 2011 | Spring 2012 |
| Ornithology: The Study of Birds* Explore the lives of birds from an ecological perspective. Learn methods used to study birds in the field. Take field trips to various habitats in Georgia. Students will have the opportunity to see and touch real, live birds! Instructor: Mr. Chris Showalter Day/Time: Mon and Thurs 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; two required Saturday field trips. Credit: 0.5 Carnegie Unit *Same course offered fall or spring - choose one |
Ornithology: The Study of Birds* Explore the lives of birds from an ecological perspective. Learn methods used to study birds in the field. Take field trips to various habitats in Georgia. Students will have the opportunity to see and touch real, live birds! Instructor: Mr. Chris Showalter Day/Time: Mon and Thurs 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; two required Saturday field trips. Credit: 0.5 Carnegie Unit *Same course offered fall or spring - choose one |
| Science of Food This is a multi-disciplinary course designed to introduce students to the field of food science. The course content covers many aspects of food production from farm to table. These include agricultural practices, processing, food safety, nutrition, new product development, packaging and sensory evaluation. Students will develop technical skills in microbiology, chemistry and physical science through many lab activities. Additionally, the class will visit regional food production and research facilities. Instructor: Ms. Stacy Byrd Day/Time: Tues and Thurs 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; one Saturday field trip. Prerequisite: Biology. Credit: 0.5 Carnegie Unit |
Animal Science This course is designed for students who have an interest in animals, particularly domesticated and companion animal species. The course explores topics in anatomy and physiology, growth and development, behavior, nutrition, health and breeding. the course is ideal for students who are interested in a career in veterinary medicine or animal care and management. There are several field trips planned to animal care facilities. Instructor: Ms. Stacy Byrd Day/Time: Tues and Thurs 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; one Saturday field trip. Prerequisite: Biology. Credit: 0.5 Carnegie Unit |
| Ecosystems Alive Ecosystems will be examined in the field from the perspective of a naturalist. A variety of natural communities in Atlanta will be explored. This is a field course, so students will be exploring wetlands, lakes, streams and forests up close and personal! Instructor: Dr. Larry Wilson Day/Time: Mon and/or Thurs. 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; one required Saturday field trip. Credit: 0.5 Carnegie Unit |
Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles Students will have hands-on experiences with amphibians and reptiles using the lab and the field. Field trips will include a trip to the Georgia mountains, in “The Great Cryptobranchus Chase." Students will observe and survey frogs, salamanders and snakes in a variety of habitats. Instructor: Dr. Larry Wilson Day/Time: Mon and/or Thurs. 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; two required Saturday field trips. Credit: 0.5 Carnegie Unit |
| Stream Ecology Learn about streams and the aquatic life they support by taking field trips, collecting and studying stream organisms and observing different types of stream environments in Georgia. Instructor: Mr. Al Tate Day/Time: Mon 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; two Saturday (all day) field trips and one weekend field trip. Credit: 0.5 Carnegie Unit |
Wetland Ecology Students will visit a variety of wetland environments to study vegetation, soil, hydrology and animal life commonly found there. Students will learn how to recognize legally defined or jurisdictional wetlands and participate in field studies. Instructor: Mr. Al Tate Day/Time: Mon 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; two Saturday field trips and one weekend trip. Credit: 0.5 Carnegie Unit |
| Forensic Science Examine the tools and scientific techniques used to solve crimes. This class will have a primary focus on the chemical aspect of forensics. Techniques include DNA, blood splatter, arson and explosive analysis. Field trips include visits to the GBI and Medical Examiners' Office similar to those seen on CSI. Instructor: Mr. Adrian Elliott or Mr. Steven Brown Day/Time: TBA Field trips may be scheduled during school hours. Prerequisite: Chemistry. Credit: 0.5 Carnegie Unit |
Forensic Science Examine the tools and scientific techniques used to solve crimes. This class will have a primary focus on the chemical aspect of forensics. Techniques include DNA, blood splatter, arson and explosive analysis. Field trips include visits to the GBI and Medical Examiners' Office similar to those seen on CSI. Instructor: Mr. Adrian Elliott or Mr. Steven Brown Day/Time: TBA Field trips may be scheduled during school hours. Prerequisite: Chemistry. Credit: 0.5 Carnegie Unit |
| The following courses require that you attend both semesters | |
| Advanced Placement Physics A two-semester course in calculus-based physics for prospective science and engineering majors. Our course emphasizes experimental work and problem solving, and can give successful students a year of college credit. Instructor: Mr. Michael Dowling Day/Time: Mon and Thurs 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Prerequisites: Calculus (concurrently), Physics (recommended) Credit: 1.0 Carnegie Unit |
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| Advanced Placement Chemistry AP Chemistry is a full-year college-level chemistry course designed for students who intend to major in a science related field. This course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. Students will attain a deep understanding of fundamentals and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems. Instructor: Ms. Vashonda Dailey Day/Time: Mon and Thurs 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Prerequisites: Chemistry, Algebra II Credit: 1.0 Carnegie Unit |
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| Robotics and Engineering l and ll This two semester, project-based course will introduce students to basic CAD principles used in the robotics industry and present the interrelationship of various technology systems. Each semester is independent of the other. Fall semester is a prerequisite for Spring, but students may attend Fall only. We will use AutoDesk Inventor software to design robotic components, interface with a CNC router and construct with appropriate tooling. The students will compete in the BEST Robotics challenge at Southern Polytechnic State University. If they advance to the Regionals, they will also compete at South's BEST at Auburn University in December. The students will utilize current technology to develop an understanding of skills required for designing and constructing a robot that has to perform specific functions. Part of the competition involves project management, contest, a table display, logo design and formal presentation. As we approach competition dates, we will be required to meet more often than regularly scheduled. Instructor: Dr. Debi Huffman Day/Time: Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. with additional time TBD. Credit: 1.0 Carnegie Unit |
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It is the policy of the DeKalb County School System not to discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, color, religion, national origin, disability or handicap in its education programs, activities or employment practices.