Open to Grades 9 & 10

Prerequisites: Application and Teacher Recommendation

Visit the FUSION Academy page for application and sign-up information.

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1 credit (2 semesters)

Open to Grades 9 - 10

Prerequisites: Available to FUSION Academy students or by teacher recommendation

Content:  All students will be competent in the following knowledge, skills, and behaviors by the end of this course.

• • Effectively care for a hydroponic growing system 

  • Determine plants suited for hydroponic growing conditions

  • Produce plants in a hydroponic system

  • Develop a guide for a teacher or student who is new to hydroponics 

Activities:   Activities will include:

• • Daily care and maintenance of the hydroponics units 

  • Problem-solving/troubleshooting of the units should issues arise

  • Research of new findings in hydroponics and the future of sustainability 

  • Trips to classrooms in the District that have hydroponics units to answer questions and to share ideas with other students

  • Explore and implement ideas on how to expand the hydroponics program

  • Grow and distribute crops to the staff/students 

  • Partnership with community businesses to provide them with crops

  • Fostering mentorship for younger students related to science in the District.

Cost: None           

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1 credit (2 semesters)

Open to Grade 9

Prerequisites: None                              

Foundations of Physics is an introductory course to the formal study of the physical sciences.  Students will develop an understanding of major concepts including uniform motion (velocity and acceleration), forces (including Newton's Laws), energy, wave motion (including sound) and additional topics as time allows. By analyzing the results of laboratory experiments, students will develop scientific models to describe the physical world.  The science practices of experimental design, data collection, data representations, and data analysis and interpretation will be emphasized, allowing students to express these models verbally, diagrammatically, graphically and algebraically.

Course Activities:  Will include hands-on experiments, data analysis, challenge labs (using models to make predictions that can be verified).  Interactive lecture demonstrations and student projects.

Technology Integration:  Student Chromebooks will be used to not only document laboratory experiments but gather data via Vernier sensors.  Students will use technology to research, write, annotate and complete class activities.  The online course content can be accessed with any internet-enabled device.

Cost:  None

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1 credit (2 semesters)

Open to Grade 9

Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation   

Advanced Foundations of Physics is an introductory course to the formal study of the physical sciences. This course moves at an accelerated pace and requires excellent reasoning skills and well-developed work and study habits. Fluency in the application of algebra is essential. Students will develop an understanding of the major concepts of uniform motion (velocity and acceleration), forces (including Newton's Laws), energy, wave motion (including sound) and additional topics as time allows. By analyzing the results of laboratory experiments, students will develop scientific models to describe the physical world. 

The science practices of experimental design, data collection, data representations and data analysis and interpretation will be emphasized, allowing students to express these models verbally, diagrammatically, graphically and algebraically.

Activities: Include hands-on experiments, data analysis, challenge labs (using models to make predictions that can be verified), interactive lecture demonstrations and student projects.

Technology Integration: Student Chromebooks will be used to not only document laboratory experiments but gather data via Vernier sensors. Computer interfaces will also be used.

Cost:  None

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1 credit (2 semesters)

Open to Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisites: Foundations of Physics or Advanced Foundations of Physics                             

This is a laboratory-centered course that uses the molecular approach to study living things. The major biological concepts are viewed in terms of their impact upon humans and their environment. Topics of study include scientific inquiry, theories of evolution, characteristics of living things, cell energy, photosynthesis, cell respiration, DNA, cell theory, reproduction, development of living things, genetics, life processes, and life systems.

Course Activities:  Lectures, discussions, laboratory investigations, and experiments.

Technology Integration: The online course content can be accessed with any internet-enabled device.

Student Cost:  Safety goggles.

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1 credit (2 semesters)

Open to Grades 9 - 12

Prerequisites: Foundations of Physics or Advanced Foundations of Physics                           

This course is designed for advanced students who are ready for an in-depth study of major biological concepts. Topics are the scientific method, classification of life, theories of  evolution, protein   synthesis,   anaerobic   respiration,   aerobic   respiration, photosynthesis, cell structure and composition, DNA and RNA, reproduction and development, genetics and life systems. This is an advanced class with an advanced writing component.

Activities:  Lectures, discussions, and laboratory experiments. 

Cost:  Safety goggles.

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisite: Biology;  Chemistry (or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry) strongly recommended

Content:   This class is for students who have completed biology but want to learn more about topics in animal behavior such as social interactions, parenting, mating, finding food, defenses, courtship and intelligence. Students will make observations of invertebrate and vertebrate behavior in this lab-based class through field experience, readings, laboratory experiments, discussions, and videos.  By the end of this course, students should be able to understand the mechanisms involved in the production of a behavioral sequence by an animal and explain how this can be used to understand human behavior.

Activities:

• • Analysis of animals via international webcams.

  • A trip to a zoo to observe the behavior of animals in captivity

  • Field notebook/ethogram:  Multiple observation periods will be required throughout the course and a field notebook will be used to document observations, species, and behaviors observed.  There are 4 required observation activities where students must provide evidence of completion; however, students are encouraged to participate in additional observation activities throughout the course.

  • Development of a research proposal centered around animal behavior with a peer review.  It is not likely that students will be able to carry out their research proposal (this takes time and funds).  The process of writing the proposal takes immense understanding of their topic and is a skill that will help them succeed in other science classes.

  • To make the research proposals more authentic, we would use Skype or Google Hangout so that the students can receive feedback from a scientist or science professor.

  • Students will read a book that focuses on animal behavior and present their findings to the class.

  • Speakers:  Vet and emotional support dogs/owners

  • Field Trips

Cost: $25 for field trips to the Zoo and Humane Society                

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: Biology; at least one semester of Chemistry, or consent of instructor or Dept. Chair. (Chemistry can be taken in the same school year as Biotechnology.)

Biotechnology is a course that reflects the most current application of the biological sciences. Topics covered include forensic science, lab procedures for isolating and manipulating DNA, gel electrophoresis for analyzing DNA samples, genetic engineering, and bioethics. In essence, this is a biology application course that focuses on building lab skills. The curriculum grows and changes each year to reflect current biological research and discoveries.

Activities: Class time will include lots of time in the lab on hands-on activities, lab opportunities to use state-of-the-art equipment, discussions of ethical issues in biology, debate,  small group work, and analysis of pop culture references of biology.

Cost:  $10 lab fee and safety goggles.                             

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1 credit (2 semesters)

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry. (Chemistry can be taken previously or during the same year, with consent of Dept. Chair.)

NOTE: Students enrolling in an AP® class will automatically be registered for that course's exam. An exam Opt-Out option is available.

NOTE: Be advised that students are required to complete readings and assignments during the summer prior to taking this course.

NOTE: This course is no longer offered for CAPP credit 

In taking AP Biology,  you are enrolling in a course equivalent to a college-level course in quality, sophistication, and workload. The AP College Board recommends that the AP Biology course be taken by students after the successful completion of a year of Biology and a year of Chemistry. 

This is a second-year biology course focusing on molecular levels in the following areas: cellular biology, genetics, and evolution. The course provides for the detailed study of cell processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, reproduction and gene expression. This is an advanced class. This course, along with Environmental Biology and Human Biology, can help to prepare students for the AP Biology exam.

Activities:   Lectures, experiments, research, and applications of scientific procedures and techniques in the laboratory.

Cost:  There is a Lab Fee of $25 which covers both semester's classroom and lab supplies. An exam fee if the AP® exam is taken in May.                           

AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of College Board. Used with permission.

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry. (Chemistry can be taken previously or during the same year.)

This course is an introductory study of body organization and function. This course will provide a detailed human anatomy and physiology background for those students contemplating the AP Biology exam. This course will also offer an excellent introduction to human biology for students considering health-related occupations requiring two or four -year degrees. The course will emphasize the cell as it relates to specialized body tissues, organs, and systems that carry out the many vital activities that maintain health and survival. This course will take a systematic approach to the human body, including studies of body tissues and the integumentary,  skeletal, muscular,  nervous  and circulatory systems.

Activities:  Lectures, discussions, labs, dissections, guest speakers, and field trips.

Cost:  $10 lab fee, safety goggles, and field trips.                         

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1 credit (2 semesters)

Open to Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisites: Algebra 1

To prepare students for entry into a post-secondary (technical college, 2-year, or 4-year college or university), this is a chemistry course for non-science majors. This course includes the major concepts, basic vocabulary, and intellectual and laboratory skills expected in an introductory chemistry course. 

This course is for students who are interested in non-science majors at a technical college, 2-year, or 4-year college, or university. Students interested in nursing as a career can take either Chemistry or ChemStudy and should use the ACT Aspire recommendations to make a decision. Recommended for students that have an ACT Aspire score at or below 434.

Activities: Laboratory investigations, lectures, discussions, problem-solving.

Cost:  Safety goggles.                          

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1 credit (2 semesters)

Open to Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Geometry. (Algebra 2 taken previously or during the same year is recommended.)

This course will prepare students for entry into a college-level chemistry course for science and engineering majors. This course is an advanced-level mathematically-based approach to the study of chemistry with emphasis on theory, applications and problem-solving.

Students who are interested in pursuing a degree in a science or engineering field or attending medical school should take this course. Students interested in Nursing as a career can take either Chem-Study or Chemistry and should use the ACT Aspire recommendations to make a decision. Chem-Study is recommended for students who have an ACT Aspire score at or above 435, and who are interested in pursuing a science-related field in college. Students with an ACT Aspire mathematics score below 432 are recommended to take Chemistry. 

Cost:  $5 lab fee.  Safety goggles and a scientific calculator (TI-30 or equivalent) with exponent and logarithm keys are required for this course.

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.5 credit (1 semester) ; UW-Oshkosh CAPP credits: 4

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: Chemistry or *Chem-Study. Preference will be given to students who intend to take the course for CAPP credit.        

NOTE: This is a CAPP course that earns UW-Oshkosh credit for Chemistry 101, but transfers as general education credits at other UW system schools. Check transfer wizard at http://www.wisconsin.edu/transfer/wizards/. All CAPP courses are subject to annual approval.

Chemistry 101 is the first of UW Oshkosh's nursing chemistry courses. Students attending UW-Oshkosh will also need to take Chemistry 102 upon arriving on campus as a freshman. This course is only useful for nursing students at UW-Oshkosh, but transfers as general education credits at other UW system schools. The curriculum for this course will be determined by UW-Oshkosh.

Generally, this is about 75% general chemistry which deals with basic topics in chemistry which are applicable to all other areas of chemistry. This portion of the course is math-intensive because it includes topics such as stoichiometry, gas laws, and equilibrium, which are based on mathematical models. The remaining 25% will be an introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry.

Activities: During class, students will participate in lecture, lab, and group learning activities as well as activities designed to help students learn to use a college chemistry textbook and become successful in a college-level chemistry course.

Cost: University fees if taken for CAPP credit.

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.5 credit (1 semester) ; UW-Oshkosh CAPP credits: 5

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: *Chem-Study, OR both Chemistry AND *Chemistry 101. Physics or *Advanced Physics (or concurrent enrollment) is recommended.

NOTE: All CAPP courses are subject to annual approval. This course is offered for CAPP credit to students who meet enrollment requirements. To see how/if credits transfer to other UW schools check the transfer wizard at http://www.wisconsin.edu/transfer/wizards/.

Chemistry 105 is UW-Oshkosh's first-semester general chemistry class and is similar to a General Chemistry 1 course at most colleges and universities.  The curriculum for this course will be determined by UW-Oshkosh.  Topics may include a more in-depth analysis of mole relations, atomic and molecular structure, states of matter and thermodynamics.  This is an advanced class.

Activities:  During class, students will participate in lecture, lab and group learning activities as well as activities designed to help students learn to use a college chemistry textbook and become successful in a college-level course.

Cost:   $5 lab fee. Safety goggles and a scientific calculator with trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions are required.  University fees if taken for CAPP credit.

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: None                              

This course is designed for students who are interested in both astronomy and meteorology and will address the following course objectives. Successful students will demonstrate the ability to:

• • Contrast the scientific method with pseudoscience and non-scientific approaches to understanding phenomena.

  • Describe the cycles of nature used in astronomy and their historical background to explain the behavior of celestial objects in the sky.

  • Use the Earth’s characteristics as a model planet to compare and identify distinguishing features about other members of the solar system.

  • Explain solar activity based on the physical characteristics of the sun as a model star.

  • Summarize the attributes of a great variety of stars and determine their positions on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

  • Identify the features of the Milky Way Galaxy and compare them to features of the other types of galaxies in the Universe.

  • Contrast models and determine the best explanations of cosmology using current scientific evidence.

  • Identify the challenges associated with colonizing another celestial body.

  • Differentiate the different layers of the atmosphere and the energy transfer that occurs between those levels.

  • Investigate the relationship between atmospheric moisture and weather conditions.

  • Analyze the characteristics of air masses and fronts and be able to predict possible locations of severe weather.

  • Differentiate between different severe weather conditions and where they occur.

  • Interpret weather maps and predict future weather conditions.

  • Understand how global weather patterns affect our local weather.

Course Activities:  The course activities will include group and individual instruction, student-selected projects, laboratory activities, and investigations.

Student Cost: None

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisites: None                            

This course explores environmental problems facing Wisconsin and the world as a whole. A significant focus will be placed on Great Lakes issues, such as invasive species, nutrient imbalance, and biodiversity loss. Additional topics include climate change and wilderness.

Course Activities:  Students will conduct investigations to collect and analyze data about environmental issues, evaluate and produce solutions to environmental problems, use reading strategies to analyze texts from foundational environmental literature authors, research current events regarding local environmental problems, and communicate with scientists and other regional experts.

Cost: Field trip fees.

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: None                  

This course explores the fundamentals of ecology. It uses themes of forestry, waters of Wisconsin, and winter ecology to explore the concepts of population ecology, communities, ecosystems, and niches. This is an ideal course for students interested in natural resources careers or those curious about the more complex workings of the natural world.

Activities:   Students will regularly conduct field studies in the land surrounding the high school, collaborate on research projects, analyze data from multiple sources to explore ecological phenomena, and apply concepts learned in class to current events related to ecology.

Cost:  Field trip fees.

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: None. 

Why geology?  One reason for studying geology might simply be because you're curious about the way the earth works- the how and why of our planet. In this course, students will investigate and develop knowledge of many geologic processes and phenomena. Through discussions, student projects, laboratory work, and field work, students will develop an in-depth understanding and appreciation of how our planet works.

Activities:  Experiments, research, computer-integrated activities, lectures, field studies.

Cost:  An appropriate fee for field studies, safety goggles.

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: None.

This course encourages students to explore the natural world around them. Students will use hands-on experience in nature to develop an understanding of the core themes of the course: seasonal phenology, adaptations, life cycles, and interpretation of environmental clues. They will do this through the study of seasonal changes in astronomy, plant activity, bird migration, animal adaptations, and arthropod activity. 

Activities: Go outside weekly to observe changes in seasonal phenology. Conduct investigations on bird flight, winter adaptations, ephemeral ponds, and other seasonally appropriate topics. Develop skills in observation, description, and sketching through weekly nature journaling activities. Practice skills in identification and interpretation of environmental clues.

Cost: None

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Open to:                       Grade 10-11-12

Length:                         2 SemesterS

Credits:                         1 Credit

Prerequisite:               Foundations of Physics, Algebra 1, and Geometry

Course Name:            Principles of Physics

Course Number:        55400/55410

Open to:                       Grade 10-11-12

Length:                         2 Semesters

Credits:                         1 Credit

Prerequisite:               Foundations of Physics, Algebra 1, and Geometry

Course Content: 
SEMESTER 1: ADVANCED MECHANICS-
Students will learn about and engage in the study of the following Advanced Mechanics topics: projectile motion,  momentum, rotational motion, introductory thermodynamics, and introductory fluids.

SEMESTER 2: THE PHYSICS OF LIGHT, SOUND, AND ELECTRICITY-
Students will learn about and engage in the study of the following topics and their relation to physics: light, sound, electricity, and magnetism.

Course Activities:  Lab exercises, computer-integrated lab activities, problem-solving.

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1 credit (2 semesters) ; UW-Oshkosh CAPP credits: 5

Open to Grades 10 - 12

Prerequisites: Algebra 1; Geometry; Algebra 2 (or concurrent enrollment); Foundations of Physics/*Advanced Foundations of Physics/*Advanced Physical Science)

NOTE: Students enrolling in an AP® class will automatically be registered for that course's exam. An exam Opt-Out option is available.

NOTE: This course is approved for CAPP credit through UW-Oshkosh. For transfer information, check transfer wizard at http://www.wisconsin.edu/transfer/wizards/. All CAPP courses are subject to annual approval.

AP® Physics 1 is an algebra-based, college-level physics course suitable for all students planning a career in science or engineering, or wishing to further develop abstract thinking skills. Students deepen their understanding of physics through iniquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, torque and rotational motion. The course has a large laboratory/demonstration component and features computer-integrated data gathering and analysis activities.

Activities: The course activities will include guided inquiry experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, interactive lecture demonstrations, problem solving, and conceptual discussions.

Cost: Exam fee is AP Exam is taken. University fees if taken for CAPP credit.

AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of College Board. Used with permission.

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Open to Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: *AP® Physics 1

Course Content: This course will cover topics not covered in *AP® Physics 1 including simple harmonic motion, waves, geometric and physical optics, fluids, capacitors, and magnetism. 

Activities: Classroom discussions, student projects and design activities and problem-solving. 

Cost: A scientific calculator with trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions is needed. Graphing calculators are useful but not required.

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.5 credit (1 semester)

Grades 11 & 12

Prerequisites: Foundations of Physics, Biology, AND approval of Department Chair. 

NOTE: Students who have completed Chemistry, *Chem-Study, *AP Physics 1, Geology, or Astronomy & Meteorology are not eligible.

This one-semester survey course will focus on four areas of science. Introductory topics in geology, astronomy, chemistry, and physics will be explored in four separate units of study. Laboratory experiments, hands-on activities, and computer simulations will be used to explore practical applications to everyday phenomena and effective decision-making in these four areas of science.

Activities: Laboratory experiments, hands-on activities, computer simulations, readings, projects, and field trips.

Cost: Approved pair of safety goggles, and a basic function calculator.

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