Science Curriculum

Length: Year 
Prerequisite: None 
Entry Level: 9

This is an activity oriented science course focusing on the earth.  Students will investigate such topics as; the earth's rocks and minerals, landforms, erosional processes, history, climate, weather, oceans and resources.  Earth's place in the universe - its galaxies, stars, and planets, will also be explored.

Length: Year
Prerequisite: Earth Science
Entry Level: 10

Biology is the study of life.  Various living systems will be covered from an environmental, cellular and evolutionary perspective.  Also included will be cell reproduction, molecular biology and genetics. There will be an emphasis on problem solving and application of the scientific method as we explore these topics.

Length: Year
Prerequisite: Biology Grade of C, Algebra 1
Entry Level: 11

Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, and properties of matter, as well as the changes that occur in matter.  Units will include atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding, ionic and molecular compounds, nomenclature, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, gases, liquids and aqueous solutions, thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, acids and bases, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry.  This college-preparatory course will include the completion of weekly laboratory experiments.

Length: Year
Prerequisite: Chemistry
Entry Level: 12

The course curriculum will cover the following fields of study: (1) Mechanics, which involves motion, forces, momentum, energy, and gravitation; (2) Wave Physics, which includes sound, light, and other wave-related phenomena; and (3) Electromagnetism, which  made some changes to the course description below...investigates electricity, simple circuits, and magnetism: and (4) Modern Physics, which includes relativity and quantum mechanics.  Students will engage in mathematical problem-solving activities and numerous laboratory investigations throughout the course.

Length: Year, 2 period block (2 credit course)
Prerequisites: Chemistry, Algebra 2
Entry Level: 12

AP Physics 1 Algebra-Based is the equivalent to an introductory college course in algebra-based physics. The course covers kinematics, dynamics, circular motion, gravitation, simple harmonic motion, momentum and impulse, work and energy, rotational motion and dynamics, mechanical waves and sound, electrostatics and DC circuits. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop critical-thinking and reasoning skills. The purpose of this course is to prepare students for the AP Physics1 Algebra-Based exam. This course is intended for students planning to pursue degrees in engineering, the physical sciences (chemistry, physics, geology, etc.), mathematics, or other technology-related fields.

Length: Semester (fall odd years)
Prerequisite: Earth Science enrolled in or completed Biology, 2.5 GPA
Entry Level: 12 & grade 11 students enrolled in Health Occupations or graduating early.

What is space life? How can humans go there? In this class, students will look at what steps are taken so that humans can go to and survive in space. How do we learn about objects in space that are unfathomably far away? This course will explore how astronomers learn about space by using gravity, light, telescopes and observatories. Finally, students will develop a fundamental understanding of stars.

Length: Semester (fall even years)
Prerequisite: Earth Science enrolled in or completed Biology, 2.5 GPA
Entry Level: 12 & grade 11 students enrolled in Health Occupations or graduating early.

Black holes, colliding galaxies, Cosmology, these are huge objects and huge ideas. Students will learn about the formation and impact of these objects. The Earth is a unique planet. How do we use Earth tolearn about other planets in our solar system? What about planets that orbit other stars? Is there any type of life somewhere other than Earth? How do we find out? Robotic spacecraft are powerful tool to answer many of these questions, students will explore these spacecraft.

Length: Semester (spring)
Prerequisite: Earth Science, enrolled or completed Biology, 2.5 GP
Entry Level: 10, 11, 12

This course will provide a basic introduction to the field of natural resources managements. Natural resources include both renewable resources (like soil, air, water, forests and wildlife) and nonrenewable resources (like fossil fuels, metal and minerals). When trying to maintain conservation and manage these resources it requires an understanding of the interactions between natural (like ecology) and social (like economics, politics and planning) processes.

Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Completed Biology with a B
Entry Level: 12 & Juniors concurrently enrolled in the Health Occupations program or graduating early.

Physiology will include a comprehensive study of the skeletal system and the muscular system of the human body. Other systems of the body will be covered as special topics of discussion on a weekly basis.  The course will conclude with a dissection and comparative analysis of fetal pig anatomy.

Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Anatomy & Physiology I
Entry Level: 12 & Juniors concurrently enrolled in the Health Occupations program or graduating early.

This course will cover topics that include the normal  response of a human body to exercise. The students will study how a body responds to strenuous activity, how muscles, blood circulation, breathing and body heat are affected. How training and diet can enhance these responses by your body will also be covered. This class will also cover basic first aid alone with athletic injuries and prevention of these injuries.

Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Biology
Entry Level: 11

The fine autumn weather will allow us to study outdoor topics such Entomology (insect collecting and identifying) and Botany (plant collecting and identifying).   When the cold weather brings us indoors we may finish the semester with various Life Science lab activities and/or units on the cultural and medicinal use of plants and/or independent Life Science research projects.

Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Biology
Entry Level: 11

Zoology will be a highly lab oriented tour of the animal kingdom. We will begin our exploration at the level of the lowly sponges and work our way up through ever more complex phyla until we reach the vertebrates. This course will also provide the student with the background terminology and dissection skills that will allow a smooth transition to the Physiology course.