MAP Electives

In addition to core courses, Lyons offers a wide range of classes designed to enrich and personalize each student’s learning journey. These courses help students earn the credits they need for graduation while also:

• Deepening their understanding of content from core classes

• Exploring topics that spark curiosity and passion

• Engaging with the rich cultural and educational resources of New York City

Whether through a literature seminar, a science field study, or a city-based art project, students at Lyons are encouraged to think deeply, ask questions, and connect their learning to the world around them.

Current MAP Classes:

• NYC in Film:  Explore iconic films set in New York City—from classics to contemporary—and learn the language of cinema. Students write critical responses, study film techniques, and plan, shoot, and edit their own short documentaries. This is a rigorous, college-style course in filmmaking—not just movie-watching.

•  Intro to the Lens:  This Photography 101 course introduces students to the art of composing, shooting, and editing photographs. Students study the work of renowned photographers, travel the city to capture images, and complete projects including a photo story, a research paper, and a portrait series. 

• Business and Baking:  Learn the fundamentals of running a small business—accounting, marketing, and management—while mastering the science of baking. Students read, calculate, and create weekly, applying math and literacy skills to real-world recipes and business plans.

• Zoology: This field studies course connects students with urban wildlife through hands-on observation, research, and exploration. Students investigate animal behavior and ecosystems across New York City, building scientific knowledge through direct experience.

• Strength Between Mind & Body: Explore the connection between physical movement and mental presence. Students engage in mindfulness practices and physical exercises that promote self-awareness, focus, and well-being.

• Gears & Gadgets: Dive into robotics through hands-on engineering and coding projects. Students design, build, and program robots to solve real-world challenges, developing collaboration, critical thinking, and technical skills.

• Intro to AI & Machine Learning: Step into the world of artificial intelligence and explore how machines learn to think. In this hands-on course, students learn the basics of programming, data analysis, and machine learning algorithms. Through projects like training chatbots, analyzing patterns, and building simple AI models, students gain a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping our world—and how they can shape it too.

• On the Road:  Become an urban explorer and uncover the hidden stories of New York City. Each week, students study a unique landmark or neighborhood, then visit it on foot to document their observations through writing, photography, and discussion.

• Open Studio: A space for independent artistic exploration. Students pursue personal projects in painting, drawing, sculpture, or mixed media, with access to materials, guidance, and feedback. Open Studio encourages creative risk-taking and self-expression.

• Lyons Needs Theater: Join the Lyons Needs Theatre Company and build your voice, confidence, and stage presence. Through games, rehearsals, and live performances, students learn the fundamentals of acting and the collaborative process of theater production

• Intro to Sewing and Clothing Design: Learn the art of garment construction from the ground up. Students use sewing machines, follow patterns, and design original pieces while exploring fabric, stitching, and fashion as creative expression.

• Hands in Clay: Discover the ancient art of ceramics. Students learn hand-building techniques like pinch, coil, and slab, and are introduced to wheel throwing. Projects include creating bowls, plates, and sculptural forms.

• Foodie Journalism - Explore the city through its food. Students sample diverse cuisines, write personal essays and profiles, and investigate labor and equity in the food industry. Projects include blogging, photography, and short films.

• Journalism - Become a reporter for the Lyons community. Students learn to identify stories, conduct interviews, and produce multimedia news content. The course emphasizes fairness, clarity, and the power of student voice.

• Language and the Brain - Explore how language shapes our world. This linguistics course examines myths, structure, and cultural impact of language. Students investigate dialects, accents, and the science behind how we speak and think.

• Spanish for Native Speakers - Celebrate and explore Spanish-speaking cultures through language, history, and the arts. Students take field trips to Spanish-speaking neighborhoods and cultural institutions, deepening their connection to heritage and community.