Ah, I see. Sounds like this isn't a necessity that allows the kids to complete their programs. It just allows them to have some options. Good to know.

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone explain what the advantage is of taking either of these classes over the summer?

I'm honestly clueless about the scheduling of classes for MCPS high schools but I'm trying to help my rising 9th grader figure out how to make the most of the IB program.

You take these to free up time for other electives or choices as they are a time suck and block you from the course you want. Some kids can do the tech credit in MS and get it over with. Otherwise, take health a one summer and health b the second or you could do them both in one summer but its a miserable class.

Can anyone explain what the advantage is of taking either of these classes over the summer?

I'm honestly clueless about the scheduling of classes for MCPS high schools but I'm trying to help my rising 9th grader figure out how to make the most of the IB program.

Health! Tech is much more fun to do in person.

Yes, it's a 3 week session per semester's worth. It's just that if you're going to start online, it makes sense to go through the second 3 weeks as well and finish it off.

Anonymous wrote:Tech is going to be 6 weeks while health A is 3. Keep in mind there is now a health B requirement, too.

My first two kids did tech over the summer as well as health A (this is pre-health B) and were glad they did as they didn't want to take them during the school year when they could take more interesting/challenging classes.

Isn’t tech divided into 2 semesters so you complete A and B separately, 3 weeks each, just like health?

Get health over with. You need to do health A and b. Do one this summer, one next summer.

Tech is going to be 6 weeks while health A is 3. Keep in mind there is now a health B requirement, too.

My first two kids did tech over the summer as well as health A (this is pre-health B) and were glad they did as they didn't want to take them during the school year when they could take more interesting/challenging classes.

If it is possible to take the tech credit (foundations of technology) in person at your high school, that's a good option.

It's a fun and easy class with lots of hands on projects + all the resources at the high school. There was never any homework as everything was done in class.

It might be possible for your child to take both Health A (virtually in the afternoon/evening) and the first semester of Tech (in-person) at the same time.

Health is a lot of busy work, but it'll only be about 3 weeks.

These are both relatively easy to accomplish online, particularly for smart kids that are willing to do some box checking work and show up for the class periods.

That said, I think health is probably easier. If you are taking the intro to engineering as the tech credit know that they still do group projects even in the online summer version. Group projects can be dicey in the best circumstance. When your best hope to communicate with your group members, who you do not know, is over email for short turnaround projects…. Well you can imagine the difficulty.

For summer before 9th grade, which is better to take tech credit or health A online. We were leaning toward health A but school counselor suggested tech first.
Is one more challenging than the other or more work? Are there tests for either or just assignments?
Need to get these out-of-the-way due to the program kid is entering.