Course Descriptions

SCIENCE

Graduation requirement: 3 years

PHYSICAL SCIENCE                        credits: 4                              Grade Level: 9

Physical Science is a year-long laboratory course that covers basic high school physics and chemistry concepts and the nature of science and engineering. These concepts are applied to earth and space science phenomena. Students learn about atomic structure, chemical reactions, types of energy transformations, forces and motion. These concepts are used to investigate changes in earth and space systems over time including geology, meteorology and astronomy. Students use observations, laboratory investigations, and problem solving to analyze and understand the science of everyday phenomena. This laboratory course prepares students for biology and other science electives.

BIOLOGY                                              credits: 4              Grade Level:  10, (11, 12)

Prerequisite: Physical Science        

Biology is a year-long laboratory course that studies cells, genetics, evolution, ecology, cycling of matter, flow of energy, organ systems, and the nature of science and engineering. Students investigate various problems and study current issues through laboratory activities, scientific inquiry and projects and independent work. Students will prepare lab reports, study the textbook, and complete assignments on a regular basis. This course prepares students to be scientifically literate as well as prepare them for future biology and science classes. 

CHEMISTRY                                credits: 4                Grade Level 11,  12

Prerequisite: Physical Science

Chemistry is a year-long introductory laboratory course covering the principles of Atomic structure, periodicity, bonding, states of matter, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and acids and bases. Hands on activities, group projects and laboratory work are an integral part of this course. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are addressed on a daily basis.

SCIENCE ELECTIVE COURSES

CIS: Climate Change-Solutions 

                                                                       credits:   4              Grade Level:  11,12

Prerequisite: Biology and Algebra 2 

This class will bring students to an understanding of the complexity of the environmental system by making explicit the connection between the natural world and their own communities. Students will apply scientific methods and research skills to understand how the choices humans make on a day to day basis impact our planet. They will propose possible solutions to environmental issues.

ASTRONOMY                               credits:  2               Grade Level: 10,11,12

Prerequisite: Physical Science

Astronomy and Meteorology is a one semester course in which students will learn about astronomy - the study of the universe beyond the earth; and meteorology - the study of the earth's atmosphere and weather. Students will learn through classroom discussions, hands-on . experiments and activities, and group projects. Computer simulations and laboratory exercises will supplement classroom lectures and worksheets. We will also visit the Como Elementary School Planetarium.

STEAM         credits:  2               Grade Level: 10,11,12 

 (Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics)

We will use a variety of materials to create  learning activities. Each of these activities will focus on several of the core areas of STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics). There will be a short introduction to the Science of each unit, however most of what is learned will come from trial and error. Many of the topics require creating an object that is either damaged or destroyed as part of the lesson, however, there will be many projects that can be reused at home. At the conclusion of each unit of study, there will be a short write-up that will be the only graded part of the class. The write-up will need to reflect on as many of the STEAM principles as they can. Connecting: Identifying ways in which the solutions learned in class can be applied in broader industry related applications.Frustration: Learning to deal with failure will be a very hard lesson for some.Fun: At the heart of this class should always be a good dose of fun. Students learn better when they are enjoying what they do.Becoming Engineers: Having the disposition and imagination to inquire, investigate, tinker, dream, conjecture, invent, and communicate with others about practical ideas.

SCIENCE SUPPORT- BIOLOGY             Grade Level: 10,11,12

STUDENTS WILL BE ADDED CASE-BY-CASE

This course is for students who are having trouble passing the general Biology course. It is a means of supporting their learning, enabling them to pass the biology course, rather than having to retake it. We will use various vocabulary building activities, concept review processes and allow the extra, guided time, that many or our students need in order to be successful. The concepts and material follow the general Biology course precisely. We work with that course and review the concepts being presented.

SCIENCE SUPPORT- CHEMISTRY Grade Level: 10,11,12

STUDENTS WILL BE ADDED CASE-BY-CASE

This course is for students who are having trouble passing the general Chemistry course. It is a means of supporting their learning, enabling them to pass the Chemistry course, rather than having to retake it. We will use various vocabulary building activities, concept review processes and allow the extra, guided time, that many or our students need in order to be successful. The concepts and material follow the general Chemistry course precisely. We work with that course and review the concepts being presented.