SCIENCE
Course Offerings
Physical Science
This is a basic course in physical science that will stress the general principles of chemistry and physics. The basic physics section will include emphasis in simple machines, basic electricity, and the various forms of energy. The chemistry section will cover matter, mixtures, and compounds. The student will be presented with the practical side of physical science that emphasizes the everyday uses of physics and chemistry. Laboratory skills will include measure mass and volumes, measure temperature, measure melting point and boiling point, filtering and decanting, graphing, interpretation of data, observation, description, recording, measuring pH, titration, pressure of gases, calorimetry, and preparation of solutions.
Biology
This is a basic course in biology that will stress general biological principles such as the interrelationships of the biotic to the abiotic world, the place of humans in the ecological scheme of life and a basic taxonomic survey of living things. There will also be some coverage of basic genetics. This course will be laboratory oriented. Students will investigate themes of biology through independent research and various projects.
Physics A
Physics is one of the three main fields of science, along with biology and chemistry. If asked what biology and chemistry deal with, most of us can come up with a one-word answer: life and chemicals respectively. Physics though, often seems like a grab bag of topics, including motion, magnets, machines, light, sound, and electrical circuits. The common thread running through all these things is that they each illustrate some very basic mathematical laws in our physical world. In brief, physics is the scientific study of matter, energy, and their most fundamental physical interactions, including attractions, repulsions, and collisions. In Physics A, you will learn about the “basics” of physics: how to describe and analyze motion, how forces interact with matter, and how to further describe these interactions with the aid of the concepts of energy and momentum. Finally, you’ll explore one more specialized topic, thermodynamics, the physics of heat.
Physics B
Physics is one of the three main fields of science, along with biology and chemistry. If asked what biology and chemistry deal with, most of us can come up with a one-word answer: life and chemicals respectively. Physics though, often seems like a grab bag of topics, including motion, magnets, machines, light, sound, and electrical circuits. The common thread running through all these things is that they each illustrate some very basic mathematical laws in our physical world. In brief, physics is the scientific study of matter, energy, and their most fundamental physical interactions, including attractions, repulsions, and collisions. In Physics A, you will learn about the “basics” of physics: how to describe and analyze motion, how forces interact with matter, and how to further describe these interactions with the aid of the concepts of energy and momentum. Finally, you’ll explore one more specialized topic, thermodynamics, the physics of heat.
Chemistry
Physics is one of the three main fields of science, along with biology and chemistry. If asked what biology and chemistry deal with, most of us can come up with a one-word answer: life and chemicals respectively. Physics though, often seems like a grab bag of topics, including motion, magnets, machines, light, sound, and electrical circuits. The common thread running through all these things is that they each illustrate some very basic mathematical laws in our physical world. In brief, physics is the scientific study of matter, energy, and their most fundamental physical interactions, including attractions, repulsions, and collisions. In Physics A, you will learn about the “basics” of physics: how to describe and analyze motion, how forces interact with matter, and how to further describe these interactions with the aid of the concepts of energy and momentum. Finally, you’ll explore one more specialized topic, thermodynamics, the physics of heat.
Earth and Space Science A
Science is the study of the natural world. It relies on experimentation and physical evidence to describe the natural events that occur around us. Earth and Space Science A begins with space. The student will observe the phases of the Moon and use scientific evidence to understand how Earth, the Sun, and the Moon interact. The student will also examine other celestial objects in our solar system. This course describes the history of Earth through the study of energy flow, weathering and erosion, the rock cycle, and tectonic plate movements. The student will apply an understanding of the three states of matter to explain the water cycle and other systems on Earth. The course ends with a discussion of Earth’s natural resources.
Earth and Space Science B
Science is the study of the natural world. It relies on experimentation and physical evidence to describe the natural events that occur around us. Earth and Space Science B explains how convection shapes the weather, climate, and movement of ocean currents on Earth. The course takes an in-depth look at climate change and the greenhouse effect in Earth’s atmosphere. It draws attention to severe weather events and describes how technology plays a role in keeping communities safe. It also explores how the growing human population poses challenges for the distribution of Earth’s natural resources today and in the future.