Electives Showcase
This Elective Showcase section of our website is designed to spotlight a selection of the outstanding classes available to our Chargers at Pin Oak. These electives offer a glimpse into the diverse and enriching opportunities we provide, aiming to cater to a wide range of interests and passions. Please note: Our elective offerings are refreshed annually to stay current with student interests, teachers, and resource availability. Consequently, the availability of specific electives may vary from year to year, and enrollment in a particular class cannot be guaranteed
At Pin Oak Middle School's chess elective class, we are fully committed to the comprehensive study and deliberate practice of chess. Students of all skill levels enthusiastically enroll in this course, eager to acquire the foundational knowledge and advanced techniques needed to elevate their gameplay. We warmly welcome novices, eager to learn from scratch, as well as highly skilled players with impressive FIDE ratings of up to 1600.
Speech & Debate are powerful skills that require logic and persuasion, all while encouraging intellectual growth and communication mastery. This course provides a dynamic platform for students to cultivate critical thinking, effective communication, and teamwork skills.
In this course, students will learn the art of podcasting while exploring their passion for sports. They will learn how to create and produce engaging sports podcasts, covering a range of topics such as game analysis, athlete profiles, sports history, and more. Students will develop skills in researching, writing, and presenting, as well as in audio editing, recording, and mixing. They will learn how to use professional podcasting software to produce high-quality podcasts that can be shared on various platforms. Additionally, students will develop critical thinking skills, as they analyze current sports events, engage in debates, and interview experts in the field. By the end of the course, students will have gained experience in producing their own sports podcasts and will have developed skills that are valuable in many areas, such as broadcasting, journalism, and media production.
In this course, students will learn how to design, construct, and test model cars, airplanes, and rockets. Students will explore the principles of aerospace engineering and mechanics as they work with various materials such as plastic, metal, and wood. Through a hands-on approach, students will develop essential problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. They will study the basic concepts of aerodynamics, thrust, and lift as they build and launch their own model rockets. By the end of the course, students will have gained a deep understanding of the principles of model building and aerospace engineering as well as the ability to create and launch their own successful models.
The Yearbook course offers students a comprehensive exploration of journalistic, photographic, and graphic design skills, enabling them to collaborate on producing the school's annual yearbook. Participants assume various roles—including writers, photographers, and designers—honing their abilities in interviewing, storytelling, and layout design. Utilizing the system and curriculum provided by Balfour, students develop project management skills, adhere to deadlines, coordinate tasks effectively, and work as a cohesive team.
Zoology is 'the scientific study of the behavior, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals.' In this class, students will explore a range from single-celled organisms to the Great Apes. Students will create detailed anatomical diagrams, conduct comprehensive research projects, dissect a variety of zoological specimens, and collect diverse biological specimens from the gardens of the school campus!