SI Courses

List of 7 frequently asked questions.

• Computer Science

  AP Computer Science A
  Engage in creative problem-solving while modeling real-world situations through a hands-on approach to coding

  • Partner with data scientists to participate in real-world application of computer science
  • Receive a microcredential from SMU’s Data Science department

• English

  Fashion or Fiction
  Fashion, like art, does not exist in a void. From tops to trousers, from hats to heels, clothing trends reflect cultural, social, and political currents of the day

  • Address fashion’s economic and environmental costs by designing a project of social impact.

  Female Friendships in Literature
  Write creative and analytical pieces about friendship in literature, collaborate with the Hockaday archives to research the friendships of the school’s alumnae

  • Taking inspiration from the Girl Talk mentorship program, propose a new friendship impact initiative in Dallas

  
  Leadership in Literature
  Write creative and analytical pieces about friendship in literature, collaborate with the Hockaday archives to research the friendships of the school’s alumnae

  • Taking inspiration from the Girl Talk mentorship program, propose a new friendship impact initiative in Dallas

• Fine Arts

  Chamber Orchestra 

  Apply musical knowledge and skills to design and teach a weekly music enrichment course for a local public elementary school without access to music education  

  • Inspire future musicians
  • Improve school readiness and engagement through music 

  
  

  Hockaday Dance Theater
  Share the joy of dance throughout the Dallas community with performances and student-led dance projects with partner elementary schools

  • Serve as the principal performing ensemble of the dance program at Hockaday (selected through audition)
  • Demonstrate imagination, dedication, and reliability and expand approach to the creative process
  • Design, choreograph, and perform dance pieces in collaboration 
  • Attend master classes, taught by guest artists

• History

  From Classroom to Boardroom
  Participate in a class based in economic principles and the incubation of a business

  • Engage in real world learning from co-teachers who are Hockaday alumnae and industry leaders
  • Develop and pitch a culminating socially conscious business plan that addresses a current world issue and compete
    for funding 

  
  U.S. Government
  Participate in a civics based class that features lecturers from city, state, and federal government

  • Identify a local, national, or world issue and draft a bill to create change, applying working knowledge of democracy
  • Propose mock legislation to local government officials and use advocacy skills to take action

  Global Issues
  Collaborate in a current events seminar and grapple with major socio-political issues facing our world today. 

  • Understand global events in their historical and international contexts to become better-informed citizens and leaders. 
  • Raise awareness of contemporary world events and how they impact local communities by identifying and implementing concrete action in the community to address a global issue.

• Mathematics

  Applications of Pre-Calculus

  Build a stronger mathematical foundation and enhance problem solving and critical thinking 

  • Buy stocks and learn the math behind it while trying to maximize profits
  • Understanding the principles and calculus behind games of chance, create a game to run at the social impact bazaar to raise money for a local nonprofit social impact partner

  Introduction to Financial Accounting

  Learn how financial statements interact with each other, understand forecasting and valuation, including time value of money and net present value

  • Gain advanced Excel skills, such as advanced formulas, modeling, pivot tables, and macros
  • Partner with Biolabs to learn about building business plans for biotech companies

  Linear Algebra

  Explore how basic linear algebra operations form the basics of AI technology 

  • Work with an Artificial Intelligence startup to design the beginnings of large language models that aid in company productivity and impact
  • Industry professionals working with large language models and machine learning will teach classes and help students understand how to utilize these technologies to make a greater impact

  Statistics
  Collaborate and engage in a class where data combined with mathematical ideas transform the way one looks at the world 

  • Explore different ways of visualizing, modeling, and making sense of data from daily life, the community, and the world  
  • Address social issues through data collection, visualizations, analysis, and interpretation to develop the tools to raise awareness and instill empathy

• Science

  Advanced Genetics
  Learn techniques used to understand the human genome, including CRISPR, and how they are used to help those with inherited disorders

  • Explore the nature of inherited diseases and connect with researchers and clinics to learn first-hand about new techniques, build empathy in new contexts, analyze data on environmental impact on gene expression
  • Find solutions to challenges patients and clinicians experience-especially those related to epigenetic phenomena
  • Learn how to translate scientific and medical terminology into accurate everyday language to help more people better understand the factors that make us who we are.

   

  Biology, Impact, and the Zoo 
  Engage in a biology class and learn the similarities and differences between living organisms

  • Collaborate and apply design thinking to solve environmental issues in partnership with experts from the Dallas Zoo 
  • Produce a culminating pitch to area industry leaders in a “shark tank” setting that addresses an identified environmental problem and competes for funding

   

  Biology–Tiny Earth 
  In the context of learning biology, help find solutions to the global problem of antibiotics that are no longer effective 

  • Contribute to The Tiny Earth (TE) program to find and isolate bacteria from soil that produce new types of antibiotics.
  • Educate our local community on what we can do to reduce the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

  Chemistry SI
  Learn and apply chemistry in the context of societal issues

  • Engage in laboratory investigations to learn proper procedures and data analysis for real-world application
  • Conduct field research to design a solution to an environmental problem applying chemistry knowledge

  
  AP Environmental Science
  Analyze the role of food and food systems in our world

  Consider how the nature of a particular environment impacts access to food and identify the food issues currently impacting our community 

  • Engage in a yearlong impact study focused on creating and implementing change within native species at Trinity River Audubon Center

  
  Neuroscience
  Students delve into how the brain’s 86 billion nerve cells organize themselves into functional circuits enabling us to think, feel, move, and perform complex behaviors and what happens when the brain malfunctions or is in a diseased state.

  • Complete a synthesis project while creating an impact on the greater community
  • Work with a cutting-edge biotech company on a real-world project

  SPARK
  This transformative learning experience will cultivate innovation, critical thinking, and leadership in STEM, preparing students to navigate challenges and opportunities in an era of unprecedented scientific and technological progress 

  • Synthesize knowledge of scientific advancements and critically evaluate their societal impact through hands-on labs, emerging research techniques, ethical debates, and discussions with industry experts.

• World Languages

  Spanish in the Community

  Help the Dallas Spanish-speaking community through practicum work in education, geriatrics, and healthcare  

  • Analyze and address issues specifically related to healthcare access within the Spanish speaking population
  • Enhance your own language fluency through community engagement