maggie.owens@sd5.k12.mt.us

• CHEMISTRY YEAR (A Core Discipline Science Course)

Credit: 1.0; Full year; Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 with a “C” or higher.

Course Objective: The goals of this chemistry course are to develop problem solving skills for everyday life and to understand the chemical interactions related to our world. This course is highly recommended for any student who wishes to continue beyond two years of science. Chemistry is the study of electrons and their interactions as they relate to matter. Chemistry topics include measurement, atomic structure, periodic trends, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, nuclear chemistry, gas laws, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases. Students will engage in predicting, designing, experimenting and describing the chemical interactions of everyday life. Mathematical relationships are emphasized, as well as the explanations of observed phenomena in terms of modern scientific theory.  This course is recommended as an IB prep science course.

libby.zimmerman@sd5.k12.mt.us

• EARTH SCIENCE (A Core Discipline Science Course)

Credit: 1.0; Full year; Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: None

Course Objective: Earth Science is a lab-based course that explores the systems of the solid earth and space systems, giving students the opportunity to discover how the dynamic earth affects their lives. Students will make connections involving human interactions with our earth systems and the environment. Our areas of study will be guided by the key questions outlined by our state standards.

• How do the major Earth systems interact?

• How do the properties and movements of water shape Earth’s surface and affect its systems?

• What is the Universe and what goes on in stars?

• How do people reconstruct and date events in Earth’s planetary history?

• What regulates weather and climate?

• How do humans depend on Earth’s resources?

Investigations will improve student skills in the science practices including: asking questions, planning and carrying out 

investigations, interpreting data, constructing explanations and arguing from evidence. Local earth science topics will be incorporated into the curriculum wherever possible.