Life Science is a branch of natural science that deals with the structure and behavior of living organisms. You will learn about the diversity of life on Earth and how to make sense of the systems and events in nature. In Life Science A, you will begin by studying the most basic unit of life, the cell, and work your way towards more complex organisms that include plants and animals. Throughout the course, you will use the scientific method. This is a procedure that will help you set up credible experiments to test predictions. The method features research, data gathering, observation, and communication.

Physical science is part physics and part chemistry. It’s a branch of science that deals with matter, energy, forces, and motion. In this course, you will identify and describe the chemical composition and properties of substances. Additionally, you will study the interactions between matter and energy in physical contexts. Throughout the course, you will apply your reasoning skills through investigation and the principles of the scientific method. As you might expect, measurement and data collection play an important role.

Science is the study of the natural world. It relies on experimentation and physical evidence to describe the natural events that occur around us. Earth and Space Science A begins with space. You will observe the phases of the Moon and use scientific evidence to understand how Earth, the Sun, and the Moon interact. You’ll also examine other celestial objects in our solar system. This course describes the history of Earth through the study of energy flow, weathering and erosion, the rock cycle, and tectonic plate movements. You will apply an understanding of the three states of matter to explain the water cycle and other systems on Earth. The course ends with a discussion of Earth’s natural resources

Students develop a clear understanding of the sometimes complex concepts at the root of life science. Course units cover genetics and evolution, cell structure, multiple units on the diversity of life and on plant structure and function. For example, the unit on cell structure and specialization drills down into mitosis, meiosis, and cancer and carcinogens.

The course surveys chemical theory, descriptive chemistry, and changes in matter and its properties. Students learn how to classify different states of matter as well as how atoms and compounds are structured. Additional areas of discussion include chemical energetics, measurements, bonding, stoichiometry, ionization, hydrocarbons, oxidation and reduction. A variety of simple lab experiments are included.

Physics introduces students to the physics of motion, properties of matter, force, heat, vector, light, and sound. Students learn the history of physics from the discoveries of Galileo and Newton to those of contemporary physicists. The course focuses more on explanation than calculation and prepares students for introductory quantitative physics at the college level. Additional areas of discussion include gases and liquids, atoms, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear physics.