Science

Regents: Earth Science is the study of the natural processes that affect the earth. It includes geology, meteorology, and astronomy. Topics are similar to the Honors Earth Science course but more emphasis is placed on developing graphing and analysis skills. Reading and writing skills are needed for the successful completion of the new science requirements that are practiced. (The laboratory requirement for entry into a Regents science examination is a minimum of 1200 minutes of hands-on lab with satisfactory laboratory reports.)

Honors: This course is an in-depth study of the physical processes that affect the Earth. It includes geology, meteorology, and astronomy. Geology is approximately one half of the course and includes earth formations, how they were formed and how they have changed through time. Meteorology is the study of weather and climate. Astronomy is the study of the universe. Emphasis is placed on reasoning skills and abstract thinking. (The laboratory requirement for entry into a Regents science examination is a minimum of 1200 minutes of hands-on lab with satisfactory laboratory reports.)

Traditionally referred to as “Applied Biology I,” this course is designed for students to develop the skills and content knowledge needed to succeed in Living Environment R the following year. Science skills include such activities as microscopy, measurement, scientific inquiry, graphing, and reading comprehension. Content areas include characteristics of life, cells, taxonomy, and the human body. This course is lab oriented to give students the opportunities to use scientific instruments and make observations from experiments in order to gain a deeper understanding of the living world around them. Real life applications help the students more fully comprehend the challenging concepts found in the NYS Core Curriculum Guide for the Living Environment. (The laboratory requirement for entry into a Regents science examination is a minimum of 1200 minutes of hands-on lab with satisfactory laboratory reports.)

The Living Environment II course is designed to offer more time for students to develop the skills in areas such as graphing, reading comprehension, and writing extended responses in order to be successful on the Regents exam. This course is more lab oriented to give students the opportunities to use scientific instruments and make observations from experiments in order to gain a deeper understanding of the living world around them. Real life applications help the students more fully comprehend the challenging concepts found in the NYS Core Curriculum Guide for the Living Environment. (The laboratory requirement for entry into a Regents science examination is a minimum of 1200 minutes of hands-on lab with satisfactory laboratory reports.)

The AP Biology course shifts from a traditional “content coverage” model of instruction to one that focuses on enduring, conceptual understandings and the content that supports them. Students will spend less time on factual recall and more time on inquiry-based learning of essential concepts which will help them to develop the reasoning skills necessary to engage in the science practices. Students taking this course will also develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts in and across domains. The result will be readiness for the study of advanced topics in subsequent college courses. The AP Biology course is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology course and has been endorsed by higher education officials. The teacher serves as a facilitator, while the students develop as independent thinkers and learners, especially through laboratory investigations.

It is strongly recommended that students taking this course have successfully completed Regents Living Environment and Chemistry. Successful completion of this course and exam can result in college credit and/or placement.

Regents: The Regents Chemistry course teaches the following: atomic structure, the mole concept, math relationships involving chemical formulas and balanced equations, the Periodic Table, chemical bonding, gases, solutions, acids and bases, electrochemistry, and organic chemistry, to name some of the major topics outlined in the NYS Core Curriculum Guide for the Physical Setting: Chemistry. The lab component reinforces the concepts taught in the classroom to prepare the student for success on the Regents Exam. It is strongly recommended that students electing to take this course have received a minimum score of 75 on the Algebra I Regents exam. (The laboratory requirement for entry into a Regents science examination is a minimum of 1200 minutes of hands-on lab with satisfactory laboratory reports.)

The AP Chemistry course is organized around six underlying principles called the Big Ideas. Topics include atomic structure, intermolecular forces, bonding, chemical reactions, kinetic theory, stoichiometric relationships, equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. This course is designed to be the equivalent of the first year of college General Chemistry course and it is assumed that the student will spend at least five hours a week in unsupervised individual study. A significant amount of time will be spent on inquiry-based hands-on labs with formal written lab reports. Through inquiry based learning, students will develop critical thinking and reasoning skills. This course prepares students for the AP Chemistry exam given in May. Students may earn college credit upon successful completion of the AP exam.

It is strongly recommended that students complete Algebra II and regents chemistry prior to taking this course.

This course offers an alternative to a traditional chemistry course in that it is specifically designed as a hands-on exploratory science course covering a variety of real world topics and applications. The course is divided into smaller modules, such as forensics, polymers, developing medicinal drugs, carbonated beverages, and food safety. Students carry out project-based investigations of these modules by applying what they have learned in the classroom to create reports to present to the class.

Regents: The Regents Physics course deals with an understanding of the relationships between matter and energy and thus is the basis for all fields of science. This course answers essential questions about how and why things in the physical world work as they do. A strong foundation in mathematics is required because the course involves the ability to think of physical phenomenon in mathematical terms. Emphasis is placed on the development of math skills in interpreting data and the correlation of all units to real world applications. Topics include the study of mechanics, energy, electricity, magnetism, waves, and modern physics. Written lab reports are required. The final exam for this course is the June Regents exam. Written lab reports are required. It is strongly recommended that students electing to take this course have received a minimum score of 75 on the Algebra I Regents exam. (The laboratory requirement for entry into a Regents science examination is a minimum of 1200 minutes of hands-on lab with satisfactory laboratory reports.)

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. This course prepares students to take the AP Physics examination in May and the Regents Physics exam in June. A significant amount of time will be spent on inquiry-based hands-on labs with formal written lab reports. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop critical thinking and reasoning skills. The course is based on six Big Ideas and topics include Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. Students may earn college credit upon successful completion of the AP exam. It is strongly recommended that students complete Algebra II prior to or concurrent with this course. (The laboratory requirement for entry into a Regents science examination is a minimum of 1200 minutes of hands-on lab with satisfactory laboratory reports.)

Human Anatomy and Physiology is an elective open to students in grades 10 - 12 who have completed Regents Living Environment. It is recommended that students also have Chemistry to understand the biochemical relationships in the human body. After study of biochemistry, cell structure, and function is completed, each organ system of the body is examined and comparisons are made to the anatomy of a preserved fetal pig in laboratory activities. Principles of genetics are learned through an in-depth molecular biology unit.

Life in the 21st century requires an increased awareness of environmental issues. More than ever, today’s students will be faced with increased energy and food demands and must be willing to balance their needs with environmentally sustainable practices in order to ensure future environmental quality. By understanding how organisms interact with each other and how humans interact with the environment, students will better understand local and global environmental issues and the political, economic, and social decisions that are made to face these issues.