*Please note that course availability is subject to change based on staffing and student interest. All courses are half year courses unless otherwise indicated.

Art

Our art program strives to expose students to a variety of art media such as: sculpting, painting, drawing printmaking and ceramics. Students will continue to explore ways to create interesting compositions and build basic skills, furthering their knowledge of art elements such as line, shape, texture, value and form. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE ATTACHED TO THIS COURSE TO COVER THE COST OF CONSUMABLE MATERIALS.

Band (Full Year Course) 

Students will continue to develop their musical skills and use them in a variety of performing situations. Students must commit to weekly rehearsals. Grade 9 Band is filled with performances: the Remembrance Day Assembly, elementary feeder concerts, and concert tours in Edmonton and the Okanagan. Students will also participate in festival and concert performances and work with guest conductors throughout the year. Students must have been enrolled in Grade 8 Band or have an interview with the director in order to take Grade 9 Band. Optional trips are tentatively planned to Edmonton in December and Okanagan, B.C. in late May. Instrument rental is currently $100. There is an additional resource fee of $85 to help cover the cost of clinics, workshops, field trips and festival fees. Students registering for Band are making a full-year commitment.

 Comm-Tech

Do you want to learn how to Photo-Shop images or paint with a drawing tablet? Have you ever wanted to edit a music video or make your own cartoon? Want to learn how to 3D print, and create your own gadgets like fidget toys and iPhone cases? What about creating a robot, programming games, or competing in design challenges with Minecraft? Hosted in the MidSun Technology Centre, students will experience guided design projects based off of the processes that real-world professionals go through every day. Students in Grades 8 and 9 will be able to explore new technologies through independent projects where they explore new technologies that apply to their own interests and potential career paths. In short, if you love technology and computers, this is the course for you!

Construction

Do you like building things? Students in Construction 9 will learn or review shop safety, equipment and tools, and machines. Projects will provide the opportunity to improve both skills and knowledge through practical experience and safety.  Projects may include: iPhone amplifiers, bandsaw boxes, gumball machines, and brain teaser games. Construction 9 will be self-directed and self-paced, especially for those who have taken Construction in Grade 8. Once mastery of safety and tool use is demonstrated, students will be expected to create a major project, for a specific purpose, demonstrating the techniques and skills acquired throughout the course. If you have never taken construction, why not give it a try? PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE ATTACHED TO THIS COURSE TO COVER THE COST OF CONSUMABLE MATERIALS.

Digital Photography

Explore the world of digital photography. We will also look into night/early morning photography, the rule of three, the blue hour, and many more aspects of digital photography. Finally we will be printing our own photos and creating simple projects to display your work.

Drama

Do you like to perform? Students will write their own scripts, collaborate with peers, plan and improvise scene work and experiment with both acting and directing. In Drama 9, students will be given the opportunity to find their voice and tell their story in a skills based speech unit. Other action packed performance units include: stage combat, advanced hand-to-hand combat, sword fighting and gore makeup using advanced makeup techniques with professional supplies, such as liquid latex. All acting units will culminate in at least one performance to showcase new skills learned in class, in addition to smaller performances in class held regularly for maximum learning and fun. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE ATTACHED TO THIS COURSE TO COVER THE COST OF CONSUMABLE MATERIALS.

Environmental Outdoor Education

Do you have a passion for the outdoors? Can’t get enough of being active outside with your friends? In Grade 9 Envoe there is no shortage of active fun! You can look forward to learning how to cook meals on a backcountry stove, building slings and splints for backcountry first aid, bike maintenance skills, xc-skiing in our field, avalanche awareness, trip planning, team building games and more! And don’t forget about the field trips! In Grade 9 there is the opportunity to go hiking in Banff National Park, xc-skiing in Kananaskis, canoe/kayaking on a lake, downhill skiing/snowboarding, rock climbing at a climbing wall, as well as a 4-day backcountry camping trip. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A FEE ATTACHED TO THIS COURSE TO COVER THE COST OF OFF CAMPUS TRIPS.

Foods

Culinary students will explore the skills and training required for the diversity of careers in the food industry. Examine the role of food, looking beyond consumption to production, visual appreciation, nutrition, meal planning, economics, and preparation, and learn the various skills in the cook trade. Topics may include: food safety, skill techniques, meal plans, event planning, plating, napkin folding, place settings, appetizers, breads, entrées, desserts, snacks and cake decorating. Come learn techniques to create a unique cake design project. Do you want to be the next MidSun Cake Boss? Through problem solving, discussion and reflection, students will appraise their contributions in teamwork, kitchen work and cooking skills, and decide upon strategies to make any necessary changes or improvements for future projects. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE ATTACHED TO THIS COURSE TO COVER THE COST OF CONSUMABLE MATERIALS.

Leadership

The Leadership program engages students in activities to promote and foster’s LEGACY within the school culture at MIDSUN. Students are challenged to discover ways to make an impact both locally and globally through events, activities, awareness campaigns and fundraising efforts. Major events include: carnivals, charity basketball game, Adopt-a-Family, Free the Children Campaigns, Staff vs Student Hockey Game, and much more. Volunteer service is an important component of the course with students needing to give back a minimum of 9 hours within the semester. Team building activities, traits of leaders, leadership styles, time management, communication skills and public speaking are a key focus. Successful students in this course will show initiative, self-discipline, a sense of team, a strong work ethic and demonstrate the ability to work independently.

Dance

In Dance at MidSun you will learn a variety of dance techniques and styles including Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, and Musical Theatre. Students will be taught how to properly warm up their bodies for dancing while focusing on avoiding injury. Then, students will take this knowledge to come up with their own dance warm up for their class. The semester culminates with a group dance project where students will become choreographers and create a dance showcasing the moves they have learned all semester long! Love to dance? Take dance at MidSun, no dance experience necessary!

Design Studies

Unleash your creativity in Design Studies! In this course, you’ll learn how to use Adobe Illustrator like a pro to design bold, original artwork for laser cutting. From custom keychains, leather patches to detailed signs, you'll turn digital designs into real-world creations. It's all about design, precision, and bringing your ideas to life. Dream it. Design it. Cut it.

Three-Dimensional Arts

In this course, students will explore the exciting world of three-dimensional art by creating sculptures, models, and other 3D projects. Using materials like clay, wire, paper, and recycled objects, students will focus on developing skills in shaping, assembling, and finishing 3D pieces. By encouraging creativity and problem-solving, students will develop a capacity that will carry over into all academic areas.

Robotics

Explore the world of robotics with theBasicBot (tBB) — a customizable robot built with 3D-printed parts, a laser-cut chassis, and an Arduino microcontroller. In this course, you’ll design, build, and program your own robot using electronics and coding skills. It’s hands-on, creative, and packed with future-ready STEM learning. Students will customize their tBB to perform different functions and compete against one another in an action-packed competition. Build it. Code it. Make it move.

Advanced Arts

This advanced arts course is designed for students who want to deepen their skills and creativity in various art forms. Students will explore more challenging techniques in drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media. This program would continue to encourage personal expression, critical thinking, and artistic analysis while also pushing skills and processes to a higher degree.

American Sign Language

Are you interested in learning a new way to communicate? In this fun and hands-on course, you’ll learn the basics of American Sign Language (ASL), including fingerspelling, everyday signs, and simple conversations. You’ll also explore the culture and history of the Deaf community through games, videos, and interactive activities. ASL is a visual language that’s great for all types of learners—and it’s an awesome way to connect with more people in your school, community, and beyond!