BVR-X

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

10th, 11th, 12th
BVR-X
Interests: Coding, Programming

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

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Project Lab: Design Your Future

10th, 11th, 12th
BVR-X
Interests: Design, Student Directed

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

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Code to Create: Delve into Computer Science

10th, 11th, 12th
BVR-X
Interests: Coding, Programming

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

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Art of Navigating Life: The skills you will need

10th, 11th, 12th
BVR-X
Interests: Financial Literacy, Wellness

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

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Socio-Economics of Sports

10th, 11th, 12th
BVR-X
Interests: Business, Economics, Politics, Social Justice, Socioeconomics, 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;

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Philosophy: The Meaning of Life through Ethical Dilemmas

11th, 12th
BVR-X, English
Interests: Psychology, Social Sciences, Writing

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

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Student Directed Project – SDP

10th, 11th, 12th
BVR-X, English, Global History & Social Sciences, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Performing Arts, Science, Student-Directed Projects, Visual Arts
Interests: Architecture, Business, Design, Engineering, Film, Hands On, Health, Law, Literature, Politics, Psychology, Research, Social Justice, Social Sciences, Sports

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

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Social Psychology: To be is to be perceived!

10th, 11th, 12th
BVR-X
Interests: Education, Health, Identity, Psychology, Social Justice, Social Sciences, Socioeconomics, Wellness

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

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Entrepreneurship with a Purpose

10th, 11th, 12th
BVR-X
Interests: Business, Design, Education, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Health, Marketing, Research, Social Justice, Sports

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;

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Introduction to Investing

11th, 12th
BVR-X
Interests: Business, Financial Literacy, Psychology, Research, Stock Market

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

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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