Science Department
The fundamental goal of the Science Department is scientific literacy for all students.
Through cultivation of scientific literacy students will be acquire scientific knowledge, develop an understanding of the nature of science and the practice of scientific inquiry, the limits of science, and evaluate scientific advances and technological applications as they impact society.
Development of scientific literacy is essential to prepare students to live and work in a highly scientific, technological world, where economic competitiveness is dependent on an educated, trained workforce that thinks in a scientific and technological manner.
Science
- 5th Grade: Intro to Science
- 6th Grade: Earth Science
- 7th Grade: Life Science
- 8th Grade: Physical Science
- Anatomy & Physiology
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Psychology
- Biology I
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Intro to Physics
- Sports Medicine
- Zoology
5th Grade: Intro to Science
The fifth grade science course builds the foundation of various skills and topics that will be covered in more detail during middle school. Students will complete four models which include many STEM activities. Over the course of the year, students will engage in open discussions, free exchange of ideas, and development of ideas into products.
6th Grade: Earth Science
Issues and Earth Science is an engaging hands on earth science course based on the educational approach of scientific inquiry. As such, it uses several kinds of activities to teach science. For example, students design and conduct an experiment to identify a mineral, explore a model of the continents changing through plate movement, play the roles of scientists learning about the composition of soil, and read about numerous earth processes. A combination of experiments, readings, models, debates, role plays, and projects help students discover the nature of science, learn science content, and experience the relevance of science in today’s world.
7th Grade: Life Science
Life Science is an engaging hands on life science course based on the educational approach of scientific inquiry. It uses several kinds of activities to teach science, with the scientific method at the core of each unit. For example, students will design and conduct an experiment to investigate human responses. They will explore a model of how species compete for food. And they will play the roles of scientists learning about the causes of infectious disease. A combination of experiments, readings, models, debates, role plays, and projects will help to uncover the nature of science and the relevance of science to student interests. They will find that important scientific ideas come up again and again in different activities, and be expected to do more than just memorize these concepts: they will be asked to explain and apply them. In particular, they will improve theirdecision making skills, using evidence and weighing outcomes to decide what they think should be done about scientific issues facing society.
8th Grade: Physical Science
Issues and Physical Science is an engaging hands on physical science course based on the approach of scientific inquiry. Some of the topics include; atoms and elements, motion, electricity, gravitation, mater and its phases, chemical reactions, and work and machines. As such, it uses several kinds of activities to teach science. For example, students design and conduct an experiment to investigate the effects of speed and mass on vehicle collisions, explore molecular models of water and other chemicals, play the roles of scientists investigating water quality, and read about alternative energy sources. A combination of experiments, readings, models, debates, role play, and projects help students discover the nature of science, learn science content, and experience the relevance of science in today's world.
Anatomy & Physiology
Students will gain a basic understanding of systems of the human body. Systems to be studied are: introduction to anatomy and physiology (levels of organization, organ systems, homeostasis), the language of anatomy, a review of basic chemistry and cells, and the 11 organ systems of the human body. This is a course designed for students who are considering enrolling in a post secondary program with emphasis on the life science and/or health science fields. The course focuses on important concepts in comparative anatomy and physiology, including the muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems, etc. of the body. The dissection of higher level mammals is used as a tool for comparative analysis of the major body systems (when needed). Prerequisite: 83 or higher in Biology and Chemistry.
AP Biology
In AP Biology, students discover how central concepts of modern biology interconnect and unite each level at which biology is studied biochemistry, metabolic pathways, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, evolution, physiology and ecology. Students perform the science practices that lead to biological knowledge such as hypothesis generation, experimental design, data collection and statistical analysis. Laboratory work, lab reports, classroom activities, papers and outside readings emphasize these two approaches. Development of close analytical reading and written expression also prepares students for the type of reading and writing required for the AP exam and success in college. This course conforms to the recent College Board AP revision of what constitutes an AP Biology Course.
AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry is a course designed to cover the curriculum described for individuals planning to take the AP Chemistry exam. The majority of topics are covered in detail and as time permits the remaining topics are covered for important concepts and content. The major topics include: atomic theory, atomic and electronic structure, atomic bonding and molecular structure, stoichiometry and chemical reactions, the Periodic Table and chemical reactivity, the gas laws and phase changes, colligative properties, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibria, acid base chemistry, solubility, electrochemistry, coordination chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. There is an emphasis on problem solving and a range of relevant laboratory exercises to illustrate various concepts, introduce laboratory techniques and develop analytical skills.
AP Psychology
This course serves to introduce students to the history, progress, contemporary state, and methods of psychology with a special emphasis on the role of neuroscience in modern psychological study. Fields surveyed include abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology, motivation and emotion, sensation and perception, and social psychology, all of which are discussed with reference to the history of the field, its philosophical foundation, prominent figures in the development of the field, and what the modern understanding of the field looks like, as seen by examining current research in the field. The methods of science and social science as they are understood and employed in psychology will be a central theme of these discussions, focusing on how empirical evidence shapes our understanding of the mind.
Biology I
Biology I is the introductory high school biology course that studies chemistry and metabolism, cell structure and the cell cycle, inheritance and genetics, physiology, ecological relationships within ecosystems, and natural selection and evolution. Students learn biological concepts embedded in the broader context of current issues and case studies. Lab work is emphasized, where students learn to observe closely, describe carefully, devise explanatory hypotheses, design experiments to evaluate hypotheses, and collect and interpret data. Students also prepare short research papers and presentations on biology topics by choosing appropriate sources, reading and thinking critically, organizing their topic, and communicating effectively.
Chemistry
Chemistry I is an introductory course that examines the basic constituents of matter, their properties and interactions. The class is designed not only to teach basic chemistry concepts, but also to develop and practice the study and problem solving skills necessary for success in this class as well as future science courses. Work in the laboratory is emphasized. Labs are designed and chosen to complement the course's inquiry based approach to learning chemistry. Written lab reports require student to learn to make careful observations, analyze and present the data generated in their labs.
Environmental Science
Environmental Science examines the impact of humans on natural earth systems. Students are required to propose solutions to environmental problems by interconnecting the scientific principles of ecology, chemistry and biology with the economical, political and ethical consequences of environmental choices.
Intro to Physics
Sports Medicine
This course provides high school students with a general overview of athletic training, sports medicine, and its history. It includes introductory information about the AT's scope of practice: injury prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, emergency management, and administrative functions. This course is intended to help students gain an understanding of sports medicine, various associated disciplines, and the role they play in the physically active community. Students enrolled in this class will not provide patient care.
Zoology
This course will be a survey of the Animal Kingdom. It will cover the taxonomy, morphology, general biology, and evolutionary relationships of animal like Protists, nine major and 10 minor animal phyla. Discussion of lower taxa (classes, orders, genera, species) will be included when appropriate. Lectures will be supplemented by numerous labs involving microscopic observations of live and prepared slides of organisms and relevant structures. Several dissections, field collection, and taxonomic identification of various animals are included.
