The mission of the Andover High School Science and Engineering Department is to prepare all students to constructively participate in a modern society in which science and engineering influence nearly every aspect of their lives. We offer a program that strives to develop scientifically literate citizens who possess an understanding of the nature of science and who have the knowledge base necessary to critically analyze scientific claims and assertions. By experiencing a relevant and rigorous science curriculum and developing their knowledge of the engineering design process, Andover High students will be well positioned to pursue advanced studies in science and engineering and careers in scientific and engineering fields if they choose.
Andover High students are required to successfully complete three credits of science courses to qualify for a diploma. All 9th grade students are enrolled in Physical Science and sit for the Introductory Physics MCAS exam in June of their freshman year. Biology is studied by 10th grade students, followed by Chemistry, Physics, and other electives. Once this basic foundation of science study is completed, students are offered a rich variety of elective and Advanced Placement courses from which to choose. Laboratory investigations and knowledge of lab safety practices are critical components of Andover High science courses. Participation in directed and inquiry-based scientific investigations requires students to think critically and problem-solve creatively, to work collaboratively with peers, and to communicate effectively.
All 9th grade students should register for Physical Science. Physical Science and Biology are required before taking other science courses (Environmental Science may be taken concurrently with either of these courses).
Physical Science (1 credit) introduces students to many of the fundamental concepts of physics and some chemistry through a lab-based, in-depth exploration of everyday phenomena in the world around us. Students work in cooperative groups while conducting a variety of experiments and activities to discover and reinforce the critical relationships and concepts necessary to more fully understand the physical world they live in. For example, while studying motion, students experiment with ramps and photo gates to collect, graph, and analyze motion data. This analysis positions students to think about the relationship being graphed and communicate this thinking using the language of science and math. Similar instructional methods that integrate the use of technology and cooperative problem solving are used while studying forces and motions, work and machines, and electricity to name a few. All students are expected to be able to present their findings.
Environmental Science - Ecosystems and Conservation (.5 credit) - This project-based course offers students an opportunity to investigate and explore fundamental principles of ecology, biodiversity, and conservation, with a focus on New England’s ecosystems. A central component of this course is a team-oriented field study of a specific local environment in which data for both abiotic and biotic factors are recorded and analyzed. Throughout the course, the relationship between humans and the natural world is explored through lectures, demonstrations, laboratory activities, field work, and shared research projects and reports. Both honors and college prep levels are combined in the same class with specific expectations for each level clearly stated at the beginning of the course. This course may be taken in addition to Environmental Science: Sustainable Earth for a combined total of 1 credit. Environmental Science may be taken in addition to Biology but not in place of it.
Environmental Science - Sustainable Earth (.5 credit) - This project-based course offers students an opportunity to investigate and explore environmental issues related to the atmosphere, land, and water with the goal of understanding how humans can help maintain Earth’s natural systems for future generations. Possible topics include: climate change, sustainable agriculture, pollution, trash & recycling, and designing cities of the future. Students will analyze environmental challenges from multiple perspectives including science, human behavior, and ethics. Throughout the course, the application of environmental science in students’ lives is explored through lectures, demonstrations, laboratory activities, field work, work in the sustainable garden, and shared research projects and reports. Both honors and college prep levels are combined in the same class with specific expectations for each level clearly stated at the beginning of the course. This course may be taken in addition to Environmental Science: Ecosystems and Conservation for a combined total of 1 credit. Environmental Science may be taken in addition to Biology but not in place of it.
Engineering and Design Courses
The AHS R.I.G. Labs and Xplore Engineering, in partnership with NuVu Studios Cambridge, are a series of studio classes engaging students to explore design engineering through the critical areas of Robotics, Innovation, and Green Energy (R.I.G.) and Mechanical Engineering.
Every semester the R.I.G. Labs explore a variety of the studio themes/topics, giving students multiple access points to engage complex, global, and critical issues as design engineers. The R.I.G. Labs are the first step of a scaffolded approach to design engineering that increases in complexity across a student's four years at AHS. The R.I.G. courses comprise a scaffolded design/engineering path and is designed to be an introductory course for 9th and 10th grade students but open to any student with an interest.
The next step of the Engineering Design scope and sequence are the Xplore Mechanical Engineering classes. In these courses, students take a deeper dive into the wonder and complexities of mechanical engineering.
This sequence of courses may culminate with a year-long college/career ready CAPStone project in the 12th grade. The AHS design engineering experience is connected to our Global Pathways program, our successful Robotics Club, CAPStone projects, ESIC, our World-Ready Labs, the Global Business Solutions classes - all housed within the AHS Library and the APS IDEAStudio.
G Lab - Green Energy Engineering (.5 credit)- The AHS Green Energy Engineering Lab (G-lab) enables students to explore a sustainable and eco-conscious future for our world. Students will experience a unique studio learning model developed by Nuvu Studio in Cambridge, MA to solve real world problems in meaningful ways. The dynamic studio framing creates a playground for curious exploration outside of students’ knowledge and comfort zone to develop wildly creative solutions. Themes ranging from environmental health wearables, to bioplastic packaging design, and cutting-edge green energy solutions will be explored using an engaging design process. Students can expect to develop concepts through sketching, brainstorming, and rapid prototyping, giving them multiple access points to engage complex, global, and critical issues as green design engineers.
R Lab - Robotics (.5 credit) - The R Lab offers students the opportunity to explore the growing field of robotics. Students will experience a unique studio learning model developed by Nuvu Studio in Cambridge, MA to solve real world problems in meaningful ways. The dynamic studio framing creates a playground for curious exploration outside of students’ knowledge and comfort zone to develop wildly creative solutions.
In the R Lab, we will be surveying the current needs and demands for robots and propose new contexts for their complex mechanisms. Using programmable materials, pneumatic actuators, and bioplastics, we will conceive and fabricate the next species of robots. Students will design, build and program tech products from the ground up, test them, and analyze how their products perform. They will explore new potential for compliant mechanisms and understand ways to manipulate material properties to control movement. Through this process, students will create innovative and unprecedented use cases and contexts for robotics as well as devise various material and scale fabrication methods.
I Lab - AHS Innovation Lab (.5 credit) - The AHS Innovation Lab (I Lab) empowers students to think creatively to solve complex problems in meaningful ways. Students will experience a unique studio learning model developed by Nuvu Studio in Cambridge, MA through a rigorous, iterative design process. The dynamic studio framing creates a playground for curious exploration outside of students’ knowledge and comfort zone to develop wildly creative solutions.
During the I Lab experience, students will work in an immersive project-based environment using cutting edge skills and fabrication technologies. Students will also enhance fundamental academic skills including research, oral communication and presentation, and scientific and quantitative reasoning and analysis.
Themes ranging from fun and games, product design, future building, and more will be explored through this design process. Students can expect to develop concepts through sketching, brainstorming, and rapid prototyping to learn real-world problem solving solutions.