Biology seeks to challenge learners to a detailed and critical evaluation of life on both a very small scale (cellular structure and function, DNA) and on a much larger scale (ecology). Learners explore a wide variety of areas of biology and are challenged to ask deep, thoughtful questions not simply about the content itself, but about their role in the greater world. Learners participate in researched, academic debates about ecology and evolution, investigate their own familial history during the study of genetics and examine their own cells and even DNA in the lab during the units on cells and genetics. Learners explore the human body as well. Learners learn how the various body systems work together to maintain physiological homeostasis and have the opportunity to participate in two dissections in class, comparing our own anatomy to that of the organisms they examine in class. Learners apply the knowledge they gain directly to their own lives and experiences in order to translate the classroom science experience to the real world. Learners conceptualize the scientific method and employ that understanding throughout the course, developing a method of analyzing not only their data in class, but their practical experiences in their day to day lives.
Science
BIOLOGY – LABORATORY SCIENCE
CHEMISTRY – LABORATORY SCIENCE
This chemistry course is designed to introduce learners to the science of chemistry. The course challenges the learners to explore and understand atomic structure and function, read, interpret and utilize the periodic table, discover the variety of chemical bonds that create the building blocks of everything around us in the world, complete and understand stoichiometric calculations (including use of the gas laws), differentiate between the four states of matter and identify their differences down to the molecular and energetic levels, discover the physical, molecular and behavioral differences of acids and bases and how they interact, examine the concept of solutions and solubility, learn and understand the basics of thermodynamics and the transfer of energy through different media and processes, understand density and its role in chemical interactions, study and work with the concepts of kinetic theory and reaction rates and explore the areas of electro-chemistry, nuclear chemistry and bio-chemistry. The course is designed to prepare learners adequately for a collegiate chemistry course. The course also provides learners with a variety of lab experiences designed to give learners the opportunity to learn each concept through hands-on interaction with the content. Learners create hypotheses based upon their understanding, explore the validity of those hypotheses through experimentation and data collection, analyze their findings and form informed conclusions based upon their experiment. Finally, learners are given the opportunity to participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) projects and assignments, during which they put their acquired knowledge into practice. Learners are encouraged to examine the sciences in the context of their everyday lives and in relation to technology, engineering and mathematics.
PHYSICS – LABORATORY SCIENCE
Physics focuses on studying the function of the universe from a scientific perspective. This course will be conceptual, meaning that mathematical concepts will be applicable throughout the course; however, it will not be the primary focus. Both fundamental and practical applications of Physics will be studied, while covering the following topics: motion, force, gravity, momentum, energy, heat, fluids, waves, light, optics, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of the atom. Learners will participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) projects and assignments, during which they put their acquired knowledge into practice. Learners are encouraged to examine the sciences in the context of their everyday lives and in relation to technology, engineering and mathematics.
RESEARCH SCIENCE (CAPSTONE COURSE)
Research science is a capstone course, in which learners will have the opportunity to select an area of research of their choice. This course is only offered to seniors, and will include college level research, writing, application, critical thought, discussion and presentation. Learners will be given requirements to guide them through their research process, and provided opportunity to engage in critical discussion regarding their research process, discovery of knowledge and research findings. The culmination of this course will include a major thesis style research paper, and an oral presentation, during which the learner will present their defense of their paper.