BVR-X courses embody the non-linear, trans-disciplinary nature of teaching and learning at Beaver. They allow students to delve deeper into the inquiry process and grapple with authentic and complex questions and to consider the interrelationships of these issues. BVR-X courses draw from different disciplines and also from a variety of fields like technology, media, entrepreneurship, science, art, and design.
To design BVR-X courses, we involve students by asking them what they are hoping to learn at Beaver. In short, our question is, “if you could learn anything at Beaver, what would it be?” From there, we design curriculum that will integrate the students’ ideas and the trans-disciplinary nature of our BVR-X courses.
Requirements
To graduate, a typical Beaver Upper School student will take 45 elective credits (nine, one-term elective courses); these courses count towards those electives credits.
BVR-X Courses
What’s App! Innovation and App Design
What’s App! Innovation and App Design
Have you ever wondered how the apps you use every day are made? Want to bring your ideas to life by designing your own app? Unleash your creativity through this launchpad and enter the app design and development world! You will learn the secrets behind the creation of apps, from user-friendly interfaces to eye-catching graphics, and
Project Lab: Design Your Future
Project Lab: Design Your Future
Have you ever wanted to work on your own project(s) or design your own idea? Do you crave the freedom to explore your own passions and create your own future? Or maybe you want to do an SDP but prefer the structure of a class? Imagine a class where you are the architect of your learning
Honors and standard levels
Code to Create: Delve into Computer Science
Code to Create: Delve into Computer Science
Want to learn how to code or further develop your coding skills? Join this engaging class to gain foundational knowledge in Python programming. You will build your computational thinking skills by breaking complex problems into step-by-step solutions and writing programs to design your projects. We will also discuss the impact of technology on society, such as
… the rise of AI and machine learning. No prior programming experience needed. [read more]Art of Navigating Life: The skills you will need
Art of Navigating Life: The skills you will need
You may feel confident writing a paper, 3-D printing and laser cutting, or making an oral presentation. How about managing finances, changing a flat tire, cooking and baking, writing a resume, or doing self-care? From housekeeping to repairing and from survival skills to money management, this class will help you build a “how-to guide to everyday
Socio-Economics of Sports
Socio-Economics of Sports
Sports are everywhere! We love and support our teams. But what role do sports play in society and how do they influence it? Sports teams generate billions of dollars every year, and sports events gather huge crowds in celebration akin to religious rituals. This BVR-X course will look into the workings of different sports; their teams;
… their business models; their impact on society and how sports have reacted to societal changes and political movements. Part of this class will include meeting with sports experts, athletes, and investors to get an authentic understanding of their perspectives. To connect the theory to its reality, this course will also involve organizing and participating in different sports tournaments, and attending and/or watching some sports games throughout the term to learn more about sports rules and practices.Honors and standard levels
[read more]Philosophy: The Meaning of Life through Ethical Dilemmas
Philosophy: The Meaning of Life through Ethical Dilemmas
Have you ever wondered what the meaning of life is or if a decision you made was the right one? Have you ever played the game, “Would you rather…?” Then you have done philosophy! Philosophy equips us with critical thinking and logic to navigate the world around us. Every day, we are faced with taking a
… stand on difficult moral questions and accept judgment on how we should lead our lives. You want to learn why people think, debate, love, hate, have emotions, and make (sometimes bizarre) decisions; or why people follow religions, search for truth, vote conservative or liberal; or you just want to learn how to make difficult decisions and how we should live our lives. Then this is your class. Be prepared to tackle challenging, real-life situations, consider alternative perspectives, understand how our brain makes decisions, and rethink your notion of morality, right and wrong, and what we ought to do to find the meaning of life. Take a class and discover not just what is, but also what could be!This class counts as English credit.
Honors and standard levels
[read more]Student Directed Project – SDP
Student Directed Project – SDP
A Student-Directed Project empowers students to do an in-depth exploration of a topic of interest throughout the term.
The student designs, plans, and leads their research project in collaboration and with the guidance and support of a coach (faculty advisor). It allows students to delve deeper into their passion and to be the designer of their
… own learning. There is a wide range of Student-Directed Projects; they are multi-disciplinary, non-linear, and most importantly, student-created and led.That’s what makes them so interesting.
Here are some examples of past projects:
- Creating an architectural model using 3D architectural software
- Through their eyes: Photo and interview series of veterans
- Robosub electromagnetic linear accelerator
- Acoustic pinger for Robosub
- Virtual Reality game for visually-impaired persons
- Creating a concept album
- Dispute: Landlord-tenant board game
- Multimedia journalism: Producing a podcast series
- Perplex: English and Theater Study
- Sensors and fiber optics: Building a fiber optic dress
- Haptic technologies: Force-Feedback Virtual Reality
- Applications of integrals to analytical continuation of functions
Social Psychology: To be is to be perceived!
Social Psychology: To be is to be perceived!
How is our behavior influenced by our social environment? How does our perception of others affect what we do and our sense of identity? Whether we want it or not, people (others) influence how we act or behave (how we dress, what we say or don’t say, what we feel). In this social psychology course, we
… will aim to get a deep understanding of human behavior, especially interpersonal relationships. We will look at theories and findings in psychology and social psychology, will learn about key ideas, and explore some recent research and unanswered questions. This course will be driven by student interests, and will also include topics such as biases, attitudes, obedience, mental health, social identity, and prejudice, among others. We will try to understand how others affect who we are and how we behave, and if indeed “hell is other people.”Honors and standard levels
[read more]Entrepreneurship with a Purpose
Entrepreneurship with a Purpose
Can entrepreneurship be the response to local and global challenges? Can it serve a purpose beyond being just a money-making endeavor? In this class, you will learn about how businesses are created and why some thrive and others fail. You will also design ideas to start your own business with empathy and a purpose in mind;
… business ideas that can have a meaningful, positive impact on others. This social entrepreneurship course will look at the change-making potential of people to pursue ideas, solutions, philanthropy and advocacy. You will hear from experts; analyze how businesses operate; explore Boston’s thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem; and brainstorm your own startup idea. This class will allow you to present your ideas to investors and organizations that look for purposeful social entrepreneurs to make a difference. [read more]Introduction to Investing
Introduction to Investing
Should you invest in the common stock of Apple Inc. or Exxon Mobil? How do you decide whether to get a car loan or a lease? How do you determine how much a small business is worth? In this course, we will learn about (a) the fundamentals of the stock market, investment vehicles, and basic principles
BVR-X courses draw from a variety of disciplines to un-silo learning and allow students to truly make sense of the world in its multiplicity and complexity beyond a single discipline content lens.
Kader Adjout, Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation
Examples from BVR-X classes

Beaver alum Jordan Alloway ’17 speaks to students about sports media

Forensic Science: Students investigate fake crime scenes

Socio-Economics of Sports: Students hear from sports betting expert
