This year, Liberty offers three new classes for students. Globalization and Sustainability is taught by Aubrey Mathwig, Advanced Computer Science and Topics by David Bradley, and AP Japanese 4 by Mokoto Abe.
In Globalization and Sustainability, students learn about the historical and social aspects of food, the costs of food, and how different foods affect people.
“We all engage in the food system in some way,” Mathwig said. “It is important for people of all ages to start to think about where their food comes from and what impact their food and purchases are having on the economy and the world.”
In college, Mathwig took a class on food cultures, which taught her about the food system, and where food comes from and is created. This sparked her interest on the topic of food. When she heard about a similar course being held at Issaquah High School, Mathwig looked into teaching a course like this for her own students.
In general, most students have seemed to enjoy this course so far. They have found it to be interesting and beneficial, helping them develop their own opinions on food products.
“I now know where my food comes from, how our buying habits have changed in America, and what kind of food at the grocery store is actually healthy,” junior Stephanie Czichas said.
Advanced Computer Science Projects and Topics is an independent-study class, which revolves around student-led and created projects. This year, there are a total of five students taking the course. They sit in with Bradley’s AP Computer Science class.
“Generally, the projects are on things we don’t cover in my other computer science classes, and things that interest you,” Bradley said. “One person is actually creating their own language interpreter, while some other people are looking at making a modification to a game and building their own.”
Senior Jill Polsin, who wants to major in computer science, is one of the students taking the new class.
“Right now, my project is using an ultransonic sensor, with an aurdino board, to put on the front of my car to measure the distance from the front on my car to the end of the garage,” Polsin said.
AP Japanese 4 allows students to study the Japanese language at a more in-depth level, helping them become proficient in both reading and writing Japanese.
“Expectations are high in AP Japanese, and there is definitely more work involved for students in the course,” Abe said.