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Mission
The mission of Benson High School Magnet is to create lifelong learners through the use of project based learning and decision science empowering student success in a diverse global community.
Vision
At Benson High School Magnet we create a road for success. Each student’s journey begins with their freshmen year as they move through the decision sciences while making strategic choices for their futures. Ultimately, each student will gain a greater sense of belonging and a stronger sense of ownership for their learning and life beyond graduation.
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G.P.S. - Goals and Pathways for Success - Required 9th Grade
As the introductory magnet course for all Benson freshmen this course will introduce students to the Career Academies available at Benson and the decision science protocol that is utilized. This course will help students to answer the questions: Who they are? What they want? How they get it? Students will apply 21stCentury learning strategies in the academic setting; explore career options using the Nebraska Career Education Model of Career Clusters, and to gain knowledge and skills for effective citizenship. This course includes planning and application of the career development process for successful, seamless transition to postsecondary options. Students will implement their own ten year plan focusing on their personal and career goals.
Course ID:
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Magnet Research Seminar - Required 10th Grade
Students will learn the interdisciplinary skills necessary to successfully participate in project-based learning in this magnet course. The course includes instruction in the decision sciences, research skills, communication skills, project management, application or technology, and use of multi-media tools for presentation.
Prerequisites: Required for all 10th grade students
Course ID: 208051/208052
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Honors Magnet Research Seminar - Required 10th Grade
Honors students will learn the interdisciplinary skills necessary to successfully participate in project-based learning in this magnet course. The course includes instruction in the decision sciences, research skills, communication skills, project management, application of technology, and use of multi-media tools for presentation. Honors students will be required to incorporate extension activities, such as community presentations into the course work.
Prerequisites: GPS teacher recommendation, required for all 10th grade honors students
Course ID: 208151/208152
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HONORS AVID 1-8 (Advancement Via Individual Determination) 9-12
Students selected for AVID will study the skills needed to be successful in advanced level honors and AP courses in preparation for enrollment in a four year college. Students in the AVID program will be required to enroll in honors level of core curriculum courses.
Prerequisites: Selection after application and enrollment in honors/AP level courses.
Course ID: 208171/2 (7-8)
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Advanced Research Seminars are unique courses available only at Benson High School Magnet. These seminars allow students to explore solutions to issues that face our school and community. Seminars are offered on a “student interest” basis. Current seminars can be repeated, and new seminars will be designed to support the issues students wish to explore. All seminars are in one of the four categories listed. The Freshman Research Seminar is the entry level class for all Advanced Research Seminar.
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The courses listed below each advanced seminar are avenues to those seminars. Students interested in those courses would benefit from the opportunity to investigate ideas through the advanced seminar.
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HONORS ARTS, MEDIA, AND CULTURE RESEARCH SEMINAR 10-12
Creativity and innovation are the name of the game! Students in the Art, Media and Culture seminar will explore the role of the arts and media in our society today. Projects can include multimedia presentations to address school, community and universal issues. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration and the use of technology to support innovation. (One quarter)
Prerequisites: Magnet Facilitator permission
Course ID: 208111
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HONORS CIVIC DESIGN RESEARCH SEMINAR 10-12
Working in groups, students determine community issues to tackle. Using the decision science protocol, students research and investigate alternatives that address the community values and create an innovative plan to resolve the issue. Topics can range from school based issues, such as the health and wellness of the students, to community issues such as the Benson/Ames Alliance, homelessness, the impact of the business climate, Omaha by Design—the sky is the limit! Students will learn how to become active members of our community! (two quarters)
Prerequisites: Magnet Facilitator permission
Course ID: 208131/2
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HONORS UNIVERSAL PERSPECTIVES RESEARCH SEMINAR 10-12
We live in a global society and our world seems to be shrinking on a daily basis. What do students need to step into that global society? The Universal Perspectives seminar will allow students to investigate issues that affect our world. The topics are endless, and might include Marketing and Research, Business, International Relations, Finance, and more! Using the decision science protocol, students will research and investigate alternatives that address the universal concerns and design projects that address those concerns.
Prerequisites: Magnet Facilitator permission
Course ID: 208141/2
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HONORS INVENTION RESEARCH SEMINAR 10-12
In the last century, inventions propelled our country into a new age of mechanism and production. Now we are in the information age and the need to invent new solutions to new problems is greater than ever! Students in this seminar learn how to design and engineer solutions to real world problems of their choosing. Emphasis is placed on “green” solutions to everyday problems of a 21st century world. (Two quarters)
Prerequisites: Magnet Facilitator permission
Course ID: 208121/2
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HONORS SOCRATIC SEMINAR 10-12
As an elective for the magnet program available for all Benson sophomores, juniors, or seniors, this course will further students’ knowledge about the decision science protocol and how students can use this in higher level core and elective classes. This course is designed to capitalize on the Socratic Seminar method and Philosophical Chair strategies that help students prepare for higher-level AP and Dual Language Courses. This class will build upon the lessons students learned in the required Freshman and Sophomore level courses.
Course ID: TBA
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HONORS FILM AS LITERATURE SEMINAR 10-12
Traditionally movies have relied upon literature for source material. This course seeks to export the longstanding and ongoing connections between literature and film by studying a variety of literary forms (short stories, non-fiction, graphic and traditional novels, plays, poems) alongside related films, and genres. Students will become more knowledgeable and appreciative readers and more perceptive viewers of film. Selected readings will be analyzed in relation to film versions of the same works in order to stimulate critical thinking and evaluation. Students will be expected to read outside of class, to participate in class discussions, Socratic Seminar, and group presentations.
Prerequisites: A or B in English 3-4 and concurrent enrollment in AP English course *parental permission to enroll in the course would be their approval of the final film and reading lists.
Course ID: 021081
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HONORS JOURNALISM ENTREPRENEURSHIP SEMINAR 10-12
Students in this course create and develop marketing materials for local businesses, community members and various groups around the school. Skills are developed as they work to design, craft and produce marketing materials. This class is like Benson’s own design firm.
Prerequisites: Magnet Facilitator permission
Course ID: 020302
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