Science

Science Department Staff:

Jennifer Alexander, Jacob Bishoff, Ashley Cody, Dana Fletcher, Heather Hathaway, Blaire Hill, Cindy Marzen, Stacey Morgan, Hara Overstreet, Anna Perrin, April Richards, Alex Seigler, Anna Selph,

Physical Science

The Physical Science curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to have a richer knowledge base in physical science.  This course is designed as a survey course of chemistry and physics.  This curriculum includes the more abstract concepts such as the conceptualization of the structure of atoms, motion and forces, and the conservation of energy and matter, the action/reaction principle, and wave behavior.  Students investigate physical science concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.

Biology

The Biology curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the life sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in biology.  This curriculum includes more abstract concepts such as the interdependence of organisms, the relationship of matter, energy, and organization in living systems, the behavior of organisms, and biological evolution.  Students will investigate biological concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.

Honors Biology

The Honors Biology course is designed to promote the cognitive and affective growth of gifted and/or high-ability learners. It is rigorous and demanding. The curriculum enriches, extends and accelerates students’ learning in the area of Biology. Students investigate biology concepts through laboratory experiences and field work using advanced critical thinking and inquiry-based lab skills.  In addition to the standards covered in the regular Biology class, the Honors Biology class differs in several ways.  Students are required to complete independent research projects and reading outside of classroom instruction.  Students should have strong study and organizational skills to manage the fast pace of this course.

Environmental Science

The Environmental Science curriculum is designed to extend student investigations that began in grades K-8.  This curriculum is extensively performance, lab and field based.  It integrates the study of many components of our environment, including the human impact on our planet.  Instruction should focus on student data collection and analysis.  Some concepts are global; in those cases, interpretation of global data sets from scientific sources is strongly recommended.  It would be appropriate to utilize resources on the Internet for global data sets and interactive models. Chemistry, physics, mathematical, and technological concepts should be integrated throughout the course.  Whenever possible, careers related to environmental science should be emphasized.

Chemistry

The Chemistry curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in chemistry.  This curriculum includes more abstract concepts such as the structure of atoms, structure and properties of matter, characterization of the properties that describe solutions and the nature of acids and bases, and the conservation and interaction of energy and matter.  Students investigate chemistry concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.

Honors Chemistry

The Honors Chemistry course is designed to promote the cognitive and affective growth of gifted and/or high-ability learners. It is rigorous and demanding. The curriculum enriches, extends and accelerates students’ learning in the area of Chemistry. In addition to the standards covered in the regular Chemistry class, the Honors Chemistry class differs in several ways. Students are required to complete reading assignments, formal lab reports, and independent research outside of classroom instruction.  Students should possess strong math skills to successfully perform calculations necessary for this course.

Physics

The Physics curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in physics.  This curriculum includes more abstract concepts such as interactions of matter and energy, velocity, acceleration, force, energy, momentum, and charge.  This course introduces the students to the study of the corrections to Newtonian physics given by quantum mechanics and relativity.  Students investigate physics concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.

AP Physics

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Advanced Placement Environmental Science

AP Environmental Science is designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of the AP Environmental Science course: (1) Science is a process, (2) Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes, (3) The Earth itself is one interconnected system, (4) Humans alter natural systems, (5) Environmental problems have a cultural and social context, and (6) Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.

Advanced Placement Biology

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a two semester college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year.  The AP Biology course is designed to be taken by students after the successful completion of a first course in high school biology and on in high school chemistry.  It aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. The topics covered in the course are molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and populations.

Forensic Science

In this course students will learn the scientific protocols for analyzing a crime scene, how to use chemical and physical separation methods to isolate and identify materials, how to analyze biological evidence and the criminal use of tools, including impressions from firearms, tool marks, arson, and explosive evidence.

Human Anatomy

The human anatomy and physiology curriculum is designed to continue student investigations that began in grades K-8 and high school biology.  This curriculum is extensively performance and laboratory based.  It integrates the study of the structures and functions of the human body, however rather than focusing on distinct anatomical and physiological systems (respiratory, nervous, etc.) instruction should focus on the essential requirements for life.  Areas of study include organization of the body; protection, support and movement; providing internal coordination and regulation; processing and transporting; and reproduction, growth and development.  Chemistry should be integrated throughout anatomy and not necessarily taught as a standalone unit.  Whenever possible, careers related to medicine, research, health-care and modern medical technology should be emphasized throughout the curriculum.  Case studies concerning diseases, disorders and ailments (i.e. real-life applications) should be emphasized.

Honors Human Anatomy

The Honors Anatomy course is designed to promote the cognitive and affective growth of gifted and/or high-ability learners. It is rigorous and demanding. The curriculum enriches, extends and accelerates students’ learning in the area of Anatomy. Students investigate anatomy concepts through laboratory experiences using advanced critical thinking and inquiry-based lab skills.  In addition to the standards covered in the regular Anatomy class, the Honors Anatomy class differs in several ways.  Students are required to conduct research projects (i.e., venom, disease, careers, case studies) outside of classroom instruction.  Knowledge of fundamental chemistry is required for the physiological study of course topics such as metabolic processes, muscle and nerve function, and respiratory gas exchange.