1 CREDIT
Credit Area: Science
Course Number: 3033
Course’s essential questions or focus: Interrelationships of the natural world
This course is an immersive journey into understanding the intricate web of connections between humans, nature, and the environment. Throughout this year-long exploration, students will delve into the complexity of our planet and its natural resources along with the impact of human activities.
This course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of environmental science by integrating the fundamental principles of chemistry, biology and physics. Explore the fascinating connections between scientific disciplines and the environment, preparing to tackle global environmental challenges with a multidisciplinary approach.
Prerequisite: Earth & Space Science or Biology
Grades 11, 12
1 CREDIT
Credit Area: Science
Course Number: 3010
Course’s essential questions or focus: Universe and the solar system
The Astronomy course will consist of the study of the planets and the solar system, the formation and structure of the universe, the history of the field of astronomy, and some practical experiences with telescopes and the night sky. Topics will include lunar phases, eclipses, seasons, and the formation of the solar system, asteroids, meteors, and comets. The history of astronomy will include the early astronomers like Galileo, Brahe, and Kepler. Students will learn about many constellations and stars including the location of deep 38 sky objects such as galaxies. Students will learn the history of space exploration as well as how to build and use telescopes. Basic science topics such as scaling, measurements, scientific notation, gravity, light, and SI units will be covered to support the understanding of astronomy. Because of the mathematical nature of astronomy, students should be willing to work with math concepts such as trigonometry, geometry, basic algebra, cube and cube roots. The course will include, if possible, several star viewing experiments.
Prerequisite: Successful completion or concurrently enrolled in Chemistry and Physics
Grades 11, 12
Academic/Honors with Lab: 1.5 CREDITS
Standard: 1 CREDIT
Credit Area: Science
Course Numbers:
Standard: 3000
Academic: 3003
Honors: 3007
Course’s essential questions or focus:
How do biological systems respond and adapt to stimuli in order to maintain dynamic homeostasis?
Why do genetic systems maintain biological systems?
How does the process of evolution drive the diversity and unity of life?
Why are growth and reproduction in biological systems dependent upon the cycling of matter and the transformation of energy?
Biology may include the use of microscopes and dissection. Other topics may include biochemistry, cells, genetics, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, biodiversity and conservation, ecology, botany, and evolution. The material covered will include the full spectrum of biology from biochemistry to ecology.
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
1.5 CREDITS (w/Lab)
Credit Area: Science
Course Number: 3009
Course’s essential questions or focus:
AP Biology is designed for those students who are considering a career in the biological sciences or health field. Students who are taking this class will develop an understanding of the molecular basis of life, the workings of biological systems, and the process of scientific inquiry. This will be accomplished through class discussions, labs, lectures, student-designed research, and peer critiques of research designs. Major topics will include molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and population. Students are encouraged to take the A.P. exam at the conclusion of the course.
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
Grades 11, 12
1.5 CREDITS (w/Lab)
Credit Area: Science
Course Numbers
Academic: 3013
Honors: 3015
Course’s essential questions or focus: Chemistry Concepts
This course will provide solid training in working with chemical equations, chemical reactions, problem solving and atomic structure. This is integrated with laboratory experiments that illustrate and make practical application of theory. Laboratory experiments that illustrate theories and demonstrate important laboratory techniques are incorporated in the course.
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation. Concurrently enrolled in Algebra I or completion of Algebra I.
Grades 10, 11, 12
1.5 CREDITS (w/Lab)
Credit Area: Science
Course Number: 3018
Course’s essential questions or focus:
AP Chemistry covers the same material as a college chemistry course for students interested in majoring in science or engineering. The topics of Chemistry I are reviewed, and additional topics in reaction rates, equilibrium, spontaneity of reactions, electrochemistry and organic chemistry are covered. Demanding, theoretical laboratory experiments illustrate topics throughout the course.
Summer work is a component of this course.
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
Grades 11, 12
1 CREDIT
Credit Area: Science
Course Number: 3038
Course’s essential questions or focus: Introduction to Chemistry and Physics concepts
This course will acquaint the students with the basics in these two areas of science. In chemistry, the structure of the atom, chemical processes, and applications of chemistry to everyday life will be studied. In physics, Newtonian mechanics, work, waves, and electricity will be among the topics considered. This course will use a conceptual approach with math applications.
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
Grades 11, 12
1 CREDIT
Credit Area: Science
Course Numbers:
Academic: 3025
Standard: 3022
Course’s essential questions or focus: How can we use scientific skills to gain an understanding of how all of Earth’s Systems Interact?
Earth and Space Science is designed to help students develop an understanding of the three disciplinary core ideas in Earth and Space Sciences through the development and engagement in scientific inquiry and reasoning. The general topics of investigation will be Earth’s Place in the Universe, Earth’s Systems, and Earth and Human Activity. Students will acquire skills through lab practices to support a better understanding of how scientific knowledge is produced and how solutions are developed.
Prerequisite: None
Grade 9
1 CREDIT
Credit Area: Science
Course Numbers:
Academic: 3031
Honors: 3032
Course’s essential questions or focus: The Human Body
Students requesting this course should have a strong interest in the science of the human body and may be considering post-secondary studies and/or career paths in the health sciences. Course objectives include:
Become more scientifically literate in matters related to human biology in health and disease.
Critically analyze information about human biology in the popular press/media.
Gain a more scientifically complete understanding of our bodies that will influence healthy decision-making skills
The honors option goes more in depth with class topics and requires additional assignments.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry courses
Grades 11, 12
1 CREDIT
Credit Area: Science
Course Number: 3029
Course’s essential questions or focus: Ecological approach to understanding the environment
Maine Ecology explores the complex relationship between the living and non-living world. A focus will be on the unique ecosystems found in Maine, including both marine and terrestrial environments. The secondary focus will be looking at the impact of human beings on the environment. This course is a rigorous course open to students of all ability levels.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and taking concurrently with any Chemistry or Chem/Phys course
Grades 11, 12
1 CREDIT
Credit Area: Science
Course Number: 3038
Course’s essential questions or focus: Introduction to Chemistry and Physics concepts
This course will acquaint the students with the basics in these two areas of science. In chemistry, the structure of the atom, chemical processes, and applications of chemistry to everyday life will be studied. In physics, Newtonian mechanics, work, waves and electricity will be among the topics considered. This course will use a conceptual approach with math applications.
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
Grades 11, 12
1.5 CREDITS (w/Lab)
Credit Area: Science
Course Numbers:
Academic: 3041
Honors: 3045
Course’s essential questions or focus:
Physics is a course that covers topics in mechanics, properties of matter, heat, sound, light, and magnetism. It is a lab class where the students learn about the laws and principles in nature. The focus will be to gain a better understanding of the world around them by discovering concepts by inquiry and applying the knowledge to their own lives. The course focuses on using reasoning and problem-solving skills to help build an understanding of concepts.
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation and recommended having completed Algebra II
Grades 10, 11, 12
1.5 CREDITS (w/Lab)
Credit Area: Science
Course Number: 3047
Course’s essential questions or focus: Focus on describing mathematically how and why things move, including transferring the transfer of mechanical energy within systems. Focus on experimental design and data collection and analysis through graphs.
The AP Physics 1 course includes the use of trigonometric functions as well as Algebra II formula manipulation and graph interpretation. 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. This course requires that 25 percent of 36 instructional times will be spent in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices.
Summer work is a component of this course.
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation and successful completion or currently enrolled in Pre-Calculus
Grades 11, 12
1.5 CREDITS (w/Lab)
Credit Area: Science
Course Number: 3050
Course’s essential questions or focus: Focus on mathematically describing the transfer of energy within systems, electricity, magnetism, and properties of light. Focus on experimental design and data collection and evaluation.
AP Physics 2 is an Algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; PV diagrams and probability; electrostatics; electrical circuits with capacitors; magnetic fields; electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills. This course requires that 25 percent of the instructional time will be spent in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices.
Summer work is a component of this course.
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation and successful completion of Pre-Calculus and AP Physics 1
Grades 11, 12
.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Elective
Course Number: 3024
Course’s essential questions or focus: Learn about different types of waves.
Students will look at waves in general, including sound waves and water waves. Light as a wave and a particle will be studied, and students will gain a basic understanding of light and electromagnetic waves. Radio waves could be a focus of a unit on how radios work. Students will study lenses and how light and EM waves interact with lenses.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1 and a willingness to work with some new math concepts.
Grades 10, 11, 12
.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Elective
Course Number: 3026
Course’s essential questions or focus: An overview of electricity and magnetism.
This course includes basic electrostatics, DC electric circuits with resistors, using Ohm’s law, AC circuits with inductors and other components, basic household wiring including switches and lights (could include 220 circuits), basic magnetism, including fields around wires and in coils, how electric motors and generators work.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1 and a willingness to work with some new math concepts.
Grades 10, 11, 12
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE I - LIVESTOCK
.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Science
Course Number: 3725
Course’s essential questions or focus: What sustainable practices can aid in the livestock industry and supporting our local farms?
Fall Semester of Sustainable Agriculture, looks at the different modalities of the livestock industry including poultry, bovine, goats and more! We will explore the ins and outs of farming and what we can do to support or farms and potentially plan for a future homestead. This course will include field trips to different farms, fairs and campuses that are integrating sustainable agricultural practices to get first hand experience. Guest farmers will be actively included in our course so we can actively support our local farming community! Farming experience is not required to take this course.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Earth & Space Science
Grades 11, 12
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE II - HORTICULTURE/BOTANY
.5 CREDITS
Credit Area: Science
Course Number: 3726
Course’s essential questions or focus: What sustainable practices can aid in the crop industry and supporting our local farms?
Spring term topics include seasonal crop selection, planting procedures, cultural practices, harvesting and post harvest for organic production of vegetable and grain crops in small commercial operations. We will be visiting different local crop farms in the local area experience first hand. Local farmers will share their expertise and insights so we can plan for our future! When the weather warms up, we will work in the school green house to our own sustainable agriculture scheme! Farming experience is not required to take this course.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology and Earth & Space Science, Sustainable Agriculture I is not required to take this course.
Grades 11, 12