Wellesley High School Science and Technology Engineering Department

Science & Tech Engineering Department

Mission Statement

The mission of the Wellesley High School Science and Technology Department is to create knowledgeable, scientifically literate, and technologically capable problem solvers. By fostering a spirit of inquiry, nurturing our students’ curiosity, and bringing current, relevant and real-world science into the classroom experience, we prepare our students to become educated citizens capable of comprehending and analyzing global issues.

Vision Statement

The Wellesley High School Science and Technology Department aspires to graduate students who are skilled critical thinkers, problem solvers, innovators and team players. We will develop the minds of life-long learners by providing access to a variety of course offerings that will support the creativity and curiosity of all students. At the conclusion of their high school career, our students will be capable of applying their scientific knowledge to contemporary issues, making connections between scientific disciplines, and pursuing post-secondary education or careers in the fields of science and engineering.

Science

The overarching goal of Wellesley High School’s science department is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to be scientifically literate citizens. To that end, students are required to pass two years of science as well as one of the Science, Technology, and Engineering MCAS exams for graduation. While this is WHS’s minimum graduation requirement, the Science Department strongly encourages continued enrollment in science courses throughout high school so that students will be positioned well to succeed in their post-secondary endeavors. For those students interested in pursuing a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field, it is imperative that students enroll in at least one science course during each of his or her four years of high school*.

The science program at WHS will follow the “Cornerstone-to-Capstone” approach which offers students a coherent sequence of courses in the following three core scientific disciplines: physics, chemistry, and biology. Ninth grade students will enroll in a physics course, which will provide them with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for success in chemistry and biology courses during their sophomore and junior years. In addition, this course will prepare them to take the Introductory Physics MCAS exam.**

All Physics 9, Chemistry 10, and Biology 11 courses are offered at three levels to meet the needs of all of our students, while they are learning our core content. While the content and activities at each level are tailored to meet the students’ individual needs and abilities, a central curriculum forms the basis for all courses. All senior level science electives will be taught at the Advanced College Prep level making them accessible for all students who have a passion for pursuing a particular area of the sciences. Every science course provides laboratory experiences, as well as demonstrations and problem-solving exercises. A variety of teaching methods are used to ensure maximum understanding of science concepts in all levels.

Advanced Placement courses are offered as first year courses for physics and environmental science, while the Advanced Placement courses in chemistry and biology are available as second year electives in grades 11 and 12, respectively.

*Schedule permitting and, in some cases, with department head approval, students have the option of taking a second science course in addition to the core sequence during his or her junior and senior year.

**All 9th grade students enrolled in physics will sit for the Introductory Physics MCAS in June of their freshman year. Students who do not pass the Introductory Physic MCAS exam at the end of their freshman year will have the opportunity to sit for one of the other STE exams while enrolled at WHS. The 9th grade course, as well as the 10th grade Chemistry and 11th grade Biology courses are aligned with state standards to ensure students are prepared to pass the MCAS STE exams in these subjects.

Technology

The Wellesley High School Industrial Technology/Engineering Program is designed to prepare students for the future in an increasingly technological world and for collegiate engineering and advanced vocational/technology programs. Students will apply basic scientific and mathematical principles and solve a myriad of technological and engineering problems. They will develop an appreciation for technology in our society while learning the proper safe use of tools, machines and materials. Students will develop problem-solving skills and cultivate their own creative talents as they use techniques associated with engineering principles. Because the design and engineering process is an essential component of applying any form or technology, all students entering the Industrial Technology Program at WHS will be required to take Introduction to Engineering Technology. Following this course, students may choose to further their understanding of the engineering process by taking Engineering Technology, or use their planning and design skills in a specific area of technology such as woodworking, robotics, or mechanical and architectural drawing.