Science

The fifth-grade science course begins with an introduction to science process skills and then applies them using the scientific method. The students use an inquiry-based approach to explore topics in the areas of physical science, earth science, and biological science. Students utilize investigatory skills to look for patterns, relationships and connections between various topics of the different disciplines of science. Topics covered include: the nature of properly designed experimental procedures, properties of the Earth, interaction of species and their environments, and environmental awareness and stewardship.

The sixth grade science course focuses on the study of matter, biological systems, and ecology by unraveling misconceptions and gathering prior knowledge. In this course, students will examine ideas concerning identity, continuity, and interactions within and between living systems. The course begins by continuing the investigation into scientific inquiry started in the fifth grade with a study of Forensic Science. The study of biological science will include investigations into cell structure and function, life cycles and genetics, and the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. Relying on investigation as a primary way of acquiring knowledge, the students will gain an understanding of the scientific process while developing skills in data recording, data analysis, experimental design and lab report writing. Laboratory materials and skills are introduced and used in a series of basic experiments.

Seventh grade science focuses on a variety of earth science disciplines.  The course uses National Parks as a lens to understand what is happening in and on our Earth.  Areas studied include rocks and landforms, earthquakes and volcanoes, climate, and Earth’s place in the universe.  The course uses on an inquiry-based approach with students engaging in hands-on investigations in order to frame the lessons.  There is also an emphasis placed on technology and using online resources to study our earth.  Students focus on improving their skills of scientific modeling and scientific writing. The seventh-grade course continues to build on the laboratory and analysis skills developed in sixth grade. 

Eighth grade science is the final course in the middle school program. It emphasizes scientific inquiry and experimentation while helping students develop their scientific skills. Eighth grade science concentrates on the study of physics by investigating the concepts of motion, Newton's Laws, work, energy, and power, fluid statics and buoyancy, and sound and light wave phenomena.

Biological and Chemical Systems I (BioChem I) is the first course in the Biological and Chemical Systems two-year sequence. Required for ninth graders, this interdisciplinary course centers on a study of the structure and properties of matter, energy, and living organisms. Topics such as atomic structure, chemical and physical properties of different categories of compounds, nature and function of biologically active molecules, cell structure and function, genetics, and evolution are all introduced in this course. Furthermore, significant emphasis will be placed on the development of science practices that allow students to effectively carry out the process of scientific inquiry.

Required for tenth graders, Biological and Chemical Systems II (BioChem II) continues the interdisciplinary study of biology and chemistry started in the ninth grade. In this course studies will focus on the connection between macroscopic properties of various types of matter and their atomic/molecular structure. Inquiry into the relationships between atomic structure and chemical activity will serve to enable students to delve into biochemical reactions and biochemical energy production. This course emphasizes practices of quantitative problem solving and data analysis as a tool for elucidating patterns and information.

In the honors section of the BioChem II class, students will explore the same concepts as in the non-honors course, though the depth and pace of the course will reflect a much higher level of rigor. The honors section is best suited for students who tend to pick up concepts more quickly and can master introductory problem-solving strategies with fewer examples needed.  This allows the class to investigate more advanced applications of concepts and to solve more complicated problems.  As an honors level course, there is an expectation that subject matter covered in BioChem I has been retained and can be applied to both the breadth and depth of the material covered in BioChem II. It is expected that students enter the course with strong work habits, complete homework on a nightly basis, read independently for understanding, and demonstrate self-advocacy skills. Students should expect to spend roughly an amount of time working outside of class equal to that spent in class. Lab reports and special projects may add on to this time.

This year-long course offers an in-depth study of classical and modern physics. Topics to be investigated include kinematics, projectile motion, Newton’s Laws, circular motion, momentum, energy, thermodynamics, electric circuits and optics. The course is designed to provide students with a systematic development of the main principles of physics. It emphasizes problem solving, critical thinking, and data analysis and helps students to develop a deep understanding of physics concepts. Lab work will provide students opportunities to learn concepts through inquiry and apply concepts to real-life situations. Students will be using basic algebra and trigonometry when solving quantitative problems.

See the video comparison of honors and regular physics here.

In the honors section of the physics class, students will explore the same concepts as in the non-honors course, though the depth and pace of the course will reflect a higher level of rigor.  The honors section is best suited for students who tend to pick up concepts more quickly and can master introductory problem-solving strategies with fewer examples needed.  This allows the class to investigate more advanced applications of concepts and to solve more complicated problems.  As an honors level course, it is expected that students enter the course with strong work habits, complete homework on a nightly basis, read independently for understanding, and demonstrate self-advocacy skills. 

See the AP Bio introduction Here.

This year-long, biology course introduces students to the central ideas of biology. The course focuses on fundamental principles of evolution, cell structure and function, genetics, and interactions between systems. The curriculum is demanding both in its scope as well as its level of sophistication, with particular emphasis placed on the application of biological principles to explain experimentally derived data and results. Students will be asked to read a variety of materials from textbooks to online scientific journals. As an AP course, AP Biology is equivalent to a first-year college biology course.  Therefore, it is expected that students enter the course with strong work habits, complete homework on a nightly basis, read independently for understanding, and demonstrate self-advocacy skills. Students should expect to spend roughly an amount of time working outside of class equal to that spent in class. Lab reports and special projects may add on to this time.

View the College Board AP Biology Course Description.

See the AP Chemistry introduction Here.

This year-long, college level course expands upon many of the topics introduced in earlier courses. Students will begin with a study of the nature of matter, examining topics ranging from atomic structure and its application to observable macroscopic properties of elements and compounds to real gases to the structure and properties of condensed states of matter. An in-depth, experimental approach to the study of the behavior of matter will occur through an examination of reaction kinetics, equilibrium systems, and thermodynamics. Laboratory work plays a key role in the structure of the course, with particular emphasis placed on the application of chemical principles to explain experimentally derived data and results. While the Advanced Placement test is certainly an important goal, emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As an AP course, AP Chemistry is equivalent to a first-year college inorganic chemistry course.  Therefore, it is expected that students enter the course with strong work habits, complete homework on a nightly basis, read independently for understanding, and demonstrate self-advocacy skills. Students should expect to spend roughly an amount of time working outside of class equal to that spent in class. Lab reports and special projects may add on to this time.

View the College Board AP Chemistry Course Description.

See the AP Physics introduction Here.

This year-long college level course is an in-depth, calculus-based study of physics. It addresses the concepts of mechanics introduced in Physics, but delves into the topics with much greater depth by employing an experimental and quantitative analytical approach to the material. Topics for study include Newtonian mechanics, the work-energy theorem, momentum and impulse, angular momentum, circular motion, rotational kinematics, dynamics and statics, and simple harmonic motion. All of these topics will be covered at the calculus-based level and use of calculus in problem-solving and derivations increases as the course progresses.  As an AP course, AP Physics C is equivalent to a first-semester college mechanics course.  Therefore, it is expected that students enter the course with strong work habits, complete homework on a nightly basis, read independently for understanding, and demonstrate self-advocacy skills. Students should expect to spend roughly an amount of time working outside of class equal to that spent in class. Lab reports and special project may add on to this time.

View the College Board AP Physics C (Mechanics) Course Description

See the AP Environmental Science introduction Here.

The goal of this course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. This involves the identification and analysis of environmental problems both natural and human-made, the evaluation of the risks associated with these problems and the examination of alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. This course promotes environmental literacy to enable informed decision-making regarding issues that impact the environment and society. Additionally, this course will help establish and build a sense of stewardship for the environment, illustrating throughout the course that one person can make a difference. The course encompasses human population dynamics, interrelationships in nature, energy flow, resources, environmental quality, human impact on environmental systems, and environmental law. Environmental science is an interdisciplinary study that draws from the biological, physical, chemical and earth sciences, as well as social sciences such as economics, politics and sociology. Critical thinking and problem-solving applications are emphasized. As an AP course, AP Environmental Science is equivalent to a first-year college course.  Therefore, it is expected that students enter the course with strong work habits, complete homework on a nightly basis, read independently for understanding, and demonstrate self-advocacy skills.  Students should expect to spend roughly an amount of time working outside of class equal to that spent in class. Lab reports and special project may add on to this time.

View the College Board AP Environmental Science Course Description.

See the Net Zero 2050 introduction Here.

There is consensus among climate scientists that we need to prevent the earth from warming by more than 1.5°C to avoid experiencing the most severe consequences of Climate Change. This requires decreasing our greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. Achieving this goal requires unprecedented, rapid, and far-reaching transitions in energy, industry, buildings, transportation, land-use and cities. This will be one of the greatest scientific, industrial, economic, political, and societal challenges that humanity has ever faced. We know that this will be a monumental task, but how exactly can this be done? In this course, students will learn the physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science behind the various solutions to the Climate Change crisis. They will answer such questions as:

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, wave/tidal and biofuels? What are the associated costs?
• How can we store energy so it is available when it is needed most?
• How can we electrify the entire transportation sector?
• How can we design homes so that they produce all the energy they use, with enough left over to meet our personal transportation needs?
• How can we remove carbon from the atmosphere?

Students in this course will be engaged in a variety of laboratory and research projects. They will develop their data analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. They will work independently and collaboratively, with the end goal of creating a detailed plan for how to decarbonize our economy and society. This course will help to prepare students for their future and allow them to take advantage of new career and business opportunities

Why do most animals need a partner to reproduce – and why are there some that don’t? Why are males and females so different in appearance and behavior in many species? How can a single cell become a complex, coordinated being with hundreds of tissue types and trillions of cells working together? In this class, we will explore the topic of reproductive biology through evolution, physiology, and development. We will learn how natural and sexual selection have shaped the myriad reproductive strategies employed by the plants and animals of the world. We will explore the processes of sexual differentiation and development in animals and humans, with a focus on the hormones that shape our brains and bodies. We will follow the developmental journey of a single egg from fertilization to birth. Students in this course will be engaged in a variety of laboratory and research projects. Adequate preparation for class is required and students should expect regular homework.

See the Anatomy & Physiology introduction Here.

The purpose of this class is to study the structure and function of several systems in the human body (circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, endocrine, and reproductive). With an emphasis on the concept of homeostasis, we will examine the mechanisms by which these systems support the process of life. This course makes regular use of case studies. Students will act as detectives to diagnose patients and link symptoms of a disease to the underlying physiological causes. Students in this course will be engaged in a variety of laboratory projects, dissections, and model building exercises to gain a deeper understanding of body systems. They will also be asked to exercise their intellectual and creative capacity by researching a disease and presenting their findings in a case study of their own. Adequate preparation for class is required and will involve regular homework.

What makes people sick? How is the cause and spread of disease studied and assessed? What are key factors that determine health and well being for all populations? What are the biggest challenges in global health today and how are these challenges being met? These questions lie at the heart of a study of global health and infectious disease. This course will enable you to develop an understanding of the nature of infectious disease and explore how this class of disease continues to be the central determinant for the health of all populations. Tackling the issue of global health and infectious disease from a variety of perspectives, our work will focus on developing an understanding of the basic concepts of infectious diseases, dynamics of disease transmission, as well as the impact that emerging and reemerging infectious diseases have on society.

Students in this course will be engaged in a variety of laboratory and research projects. Therefore, adequate preparation for class is required and will involve regular homework.

This semester-long course is an introduction to the universe, with an emphasis on conceptual rather than mathematical comprehension. Topics include modern theories of the universe, evolution of galaxies, quasars, stars, black holes, planets and solar systems. Current observational and research techniques will be explored through laboratory work. Students will have opportunities to utilize telescopes in both direct and remote observing. Major themes of astronomy which will be addressed in this course include:

• How has our understanding of our place in the Universe evolved over time?
• How are astronomers able to describe and understand complex phenomena utilizing only the light received from distant sources?
• What is the role astronomy plays in our daily lives, and in the future of humanity?

This course will focus on developing an understanding of modern evolutionary theory by focusing on major topics within evolutionary biology. These include natural selection, descent with modification, relationships between modern and extinct species, mechanisms of speciation, and molecular evolution. By examining the breadth of current evidence for modern evolutionary theory, an understanding of the mechanisms of evolutionary change will then be applied to address a variety of questions. For example,

• How can we explain the incredible variety of living organisms on Earth?
• Why do some insects look like sticks?
• Are we, as humans, more closely related to insects or sea urchins?
• What is responsible for the current rise in multi-drug resistant bacteria?
• How can DNA analysis provided insight into where humans originated and how they came to populate the Earth?

Students in this course will be engaged in a variety of laboratory and research projects. Therefore, adequate preparation for class is required and will involve regular homework.