Science

Grade level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

Students develop a conceptual understanding of Biology and Earth/Space Science. They experience biology and Earth/space science concepts, as outlined in the Kentucky Academic Standards for Science, such as structure and function of cells; molecular basis of heredity; biological change; changes in the Earth system; interdependence of organisms; matter, energy and organization in living systems; and the behavior of organisms. Students will learn these core ideas through the use of the science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts. The science and engineering practices are the skills students will use as they investigate the natural world, and develop solutions to problems. The crosscutting concepts are conceptual ways of thinking that cross the domains of science. 

Grade level:  10

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  Biology with Earth Space Science

Students develop a conceptual understanding of Chemistry and Earth/Space Science, as outlined in the Kentucky Academic Standards for Science, through the use of the science and engineering practices. They experience chemistry and Earth/space science concepts such as the structure of atoms, structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, geochemical cycles, and formation and ongoing changes of the universe. The use of the science practices describes the behaviors students will engage in as they investigate the natural world. Students will learn these core ideas within these topics through the use of the science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts. The science and engineering practices are skills students will use as they investigate the natural world and develop solutions to problems. The crosscutting concepts are conceptual ways of thinking that cross the domains of science. 

Grade level:  11

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  Earth Space Science, Biology 1, and Algebra 1

This course serves as an introduction which integrates the basic concepts of chemistry and physics as outlined in the Kentucky Academic Standards for Science. Students learn how the physical and chemical properties of matter can be explained and predicted in terms of atomic and molecular structures and forces. They also learn how balanced and unbalanced forces influence the behavior of objects. Students will learn these core ideas within these topics through the use of the science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts. The science and engineering practices are skills students will use as they investigate the natural world and develop solutions to problems. The crosscutting concepts are conceptual ways of thinking that cross the domains of science. 

Grade level:  10 Beginning with Class of 2029  or 11 for Class of 2027 & 2028

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  Biology with Earth Space Science

Students develop a conceptual understanding of Chemistry and Earth/Space Science, as outlined in the Kentucky Academic Standards for Science, through the use of the science and engineering practices. They experience chemistry and Earth/space science concepts such as the structure of atoms, structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, geochemical cycles, and formation and ongoing changes of the universe. The use of the science practices describes the behaviors students will engage in as they investigate the natural world. Students will learn these core ideas within these topics through the use of the science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts. The science and engineering practices are skills students will use as they investigate the natural world and develop solutions to problems. The crosscutting concepts are conceptual ways of thinking that cross the domains of science. 

Grade level:  11

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  Chemistry with Earth Space Science

Students develop a conceptual understanding of physics and Earth/space science content, as outlined in the Kentucky Academic Standards for Science, through the use of the science and engineering practices. They experience physics and Earth/space science concepts such as motions and forces, conservation of energy and the increase in disorder, interactions of energy and matter, and energy in the Earth system. Students will learn these core ideas through the use of the science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts. The science and engineering practices are skills students will use as they investigate the natural world and develop solutions to problems. The crosscutting concepts are conceptual ways of thinking that cross the domains of science. 

Grade level:  9-12

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

Students will develop understanding of ecological concepts as outlined in the Kentucky Academic Standards for Science, such as cycling of matter, biodiversity, ecosystems, earth systems and human impact. Students will learn these core ideas through the use of the science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts. The science and engineering practices are the skills students will use as they investigate the natural world, and develop solutions to problems. The crosscutting concepts are conceptual ways of thinking that cross the domains of science. 

Grade level:  11-12

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

This course is a problem-based inquiry course dealing with Forensic sciences.  This course could serve as a science elective for high school graduation, but not as one of the three required science courses to ensure students have access to all Kentucky Academic Standards for Science. 

Grade level:  11-12

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

This course uses health occupations as a vehicle to present some components of the life science content outlined in the Kentucky Academic Standards for Science. The course is interdisciplinary in nature and integrates the disciplines of life science, mathematics, health, social studies, language arts, arts and humanities, and career studies. During their study of medical science, students will gain an understanding of the normal structure and function of the human body through scientific investigation. Anatomy, physiology, physics, and chemistry concepts are reinforced with real-life analogies and health-related examples are used to illustrate potentially difficult scientific concepts. 

Grade level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

Major concepts addressed in this course include plant structure, animal structure, tissues, organs, and systems. This course could serve as a science elective for high school graduation, but not as one of the three required science courses to ensure students have access to all Kentucky Academic Standards for Science. 

Grade level:  12

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  304601-H Honors Biology 1 and 304058-H Honors Introduction to Chemistry and Physics

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions. College credit is earned with a qualifying score on an AP exam. Prerequisites: Students should have successfully completed high school courses in biology and chemistry. 

Grade level:  11-12

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

This course focuses on the study of the human body, including nutrition concepts, digestive system, circulatory system, nervous system, and the reproductive system. This course could serve as a science elective for high school graduation, but not as one of the three required science courses to ensure students have access to all Kentucky Academic Standards for Science. 

Grade level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

This course focuses on the study of weather, the atmosphere, clouds, and frontal weather conditions. This course could serve as a science elective for high school graduation, but not as one of the three required science courses to ensure students have access to all Kentucky Academic Standards for Science. 

Grade level:  9-12

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

Students will develop understanding of environmental concepts as outlined in the Kentucky Academic Standards for Science, such as cycling of matter, biodiversity, earth systems, energy flow and climate, and human impact. Students will learn these core ideas through the use of the science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts. The science and engineering practices are the skills students will use as they investigate the natural world and develop solutions to problems. The crosscutting concepts are conceptual ways of thinking that cross the domains of science. 

Grade level:  11-12

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  Earth Space Science, Biology 1, and Algebra 1

The AP Environmental Science course is designed to engage students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships within the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. College credit is earned with a qualifying score on an AP exam. Prerequisite: Students should have successfully completed two years of high school laboratory science (1 year of life science and 1 year of physical science) and at least 1 year of algebra.