Science

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None

This course takes the student on a journey through the human body. Each System and its relationship to other systems is discussed. Hands-on activities allow students to explore the functions of several systems. This course meets the Natural Science credit requirement for graduation.

Anatomy and Physiology Syllabus

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ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY HONORS

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None

This course takes the student on a journey through the human body. Each System and its relationship to other systems is discussed. Hands-on activities allow students to explore the functions of several systems. This is an honors level course that includes research and projects and activities focused on critical thinking, creativity, and understanding of the scientific process. Activities are rigorous, yet designed to be done at home with minimal specialized equipment. This course meets the Natural Science credit requirement for graduation.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY HONORS

 

BIOLOGY (LAB SCIENCE)

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None

Biology is the study of life – the basic characteristics and functions of living organisms and their place in our environment. Laboratory and field investigations are the primary means for developing problem-solving skills and for developing knowledge and understanding of biological concepts. Topics include the history of biology; the cell and cell processes; genetics and heredity; cycles in nature; photosynthesis and respiration; ecology; plants, animals, and microorganisms; continuity of life; and the interaction of science, technology, and society. This course meets the Natural Science credit requirement for graduation.

Biology Syllabus

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BIOLOGY HONORS (LAB SCIENCE)

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None

Biology Honors begins with the smallest components of life, the biochemical functions, and progresses through increasingly larger components: cell parts, cell functions, genetics and inheritance, evolution, taxonomy, and ecology. This is a lab course that includes labs and projects focused on critical thinking, creativity, and understanding the scientific process. Labs are rigorous, yet designed to be done at home with minimal specialized equipment. This course meets the Natural Science credit requirement for graduation.

Biology Honors Syllabus

 

CHEMISTRY CP (LAB SCIENCE)

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: Algebra 1, Geometry, at least 1st semester of Algebra 2

Chemistry uses an atoms-first approach and coverage includes the parts of the atom and the basics of nuclear chemistry; electronic configurations of atoms including orbitals, covalent and ionic bonding, Lewis structures, and VSEPR theory; intermolecular forces; periodic properties, nomenclature, and descriptive chemistry; chemical reactions, including balancing, the mole concept, stoichiometry (including limiting reagents), equilibrium; thermodynamics, solutions and electrolytes, concentration; gas laws, including static and non-static conditions; acids, bases, pH, and equilibrium; and organic functional groups. Students must show proficiency in dimensional analysis, provide cogent short answers to various concept questions, demonstrate the ability to research information not directly provided in the lessons and cite sources correctly, and completely safe, home-based experiments that include full laboratory reports. This course meets the Physical Science credit requirement for graduation.

Chemistry Syllabus

Demo Lesson

 

CHEMISTRY HONORS (LAB SCIENCE)

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: Algebra 1, Geometry, at least 1st semester of Algebra 2

Chemistry Honors uses an atoms-first approach and coverage includes the parts of the atom and the basics of nuclear chemistry; electronic configurations of atoms including orbitals, covalent and ionic bonding, Lewis structures, and VSEPR theory; intermolecular forces; periodic properties, nomenclature, and descriptive chemistry; chemical reactions, including balancing, the mole concept, stoichiometry (including limiting reagents), equilibrium; thermodynamics, solutions and electrolytes, concentration; gas laws, including static and non-static conditions; acids, bases, pH, and equilibrium; and organic functional groups, and an introduction to biochemistry. Students must show proficiency in dimensional analysis, provide cogent short answers to various concept questions, demonstrate the ability to research information not directly provided in the lessons and cite sources correctly, and completely safe, home-based experiments that include full laboratory reports. This course meets the Physical Science credit requirement for graduation.

Chemistry Honors Syllabus

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CONCEPTUAL CHEMISTRY
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: None

In this course, cooking is used to study introductory chemistry concepts. Topics include atoms, molecules, the periodic table, chemical reactions, balancing simple chemical equations, acids and bases, types of mixtures, and freezing points. The concepts are also applied in a final research project. Online research is a regular part of this course. This course meets the Physical Science credit requirement for graduation.

Conceptual Chemistry Syllabus

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CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: None

This course uses science fiction and current research to study introductory physics concepts and touch on ideas in theoretical physics. Topics include the electromagnetic spectrum, Doppler effect, star evolution, the solar system and universe, distance and time relationships, the theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, and the many-worlds theory. The concepts are applied in a final research project. Online research is a regular part of this course. This course meets the Physical Science credit requirement for graduation.

Conceptual Physics Syllabus

 

EARTH SCIENCE

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisites: None

Earth Science introduces students to a broad study of the Earth with topics including astronomy, geology, oceanography, meteorology, and ecology. Students explore the Earth’s dynamic systems from its position in the universe to the ecology of its soil. Hands-on activities reinforce students’ scientific exploration, and the scientific method is emphasized in the process of critical thinking about challenges facing the planet. This course meets the Physical Science credit requirement for graduation.

Earth Science Syllabus

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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (LAB SCIENCE)

Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None

Environmental Science provides an overview of basic environmental issues, including climate change, sustainability, pollution, depletion of natural resources, renewable energy, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, soil fertility and erosion, and waste disposal. It also explores the history of the environmental movement, the politics and ethics involved in environmental issues, and the regulations that help limit environmental damage. Students will complete a project to explore their own impact on the environment and ways to mitigate that impact. These five labs are designed to give students hands-on experience in observing and assessing natural systems and how they function. The topics include backyard ecology, invasive species, energy audits, soil erosion and acid rain. This course meets the Natural Science credit requirement for graduation.

Environmental Science CP Syllabus

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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE HONORS (LAB SCIENCE)

Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisite: None

Environmental Science provides an overview of basic environmental issues, including climate change, sustainability, pollution, depletion of natural resources, renewable energy, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, soil fertility and erosion, and waste disposal. It also explores the history of the environmental movement, the politics and ethics involved in environmental issues, and the regulations that help limit environmental damage.

This is an honors level lab course that includes labs and projects focused on critical thinking, creativity, and understanding of the scientific process. Labs are rigorous, yet designed to be done at home with minimal specialized equipment. Students complete 5 projects that are designed to help them assess the environmental damage in their own ecosystems and determine their own environmental footprint. Students will complete 5 of 9 labs. Labs are designed to give students hands-on experience in observing and assessing natural systems and how they function. The topics include the recycling of wastes, soil erosion, stream health, invasive species, backyard ecology, energy audits, and acid rain. This course meets the Natural Science credit requirement for graduation.

Environmental Science Honors Syllabus

 

PHYSICS (LAB SCIENCE)

Grade Level: 10,11,12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisites: Algebra I, first Semester Algebra II

The course focuses on the core concepts of Algebra-based Physics preparing the student for future college-level Physics courses. The key concepts of the course have a focus on mechanical physics with introductory level electromagnetics and wave mechanics.

Physics Syllabus

Demo Lesson

 

PHYSICS HONORS (LAB SCIENCE)

Grade Level: 10,11,12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisites: Algebra I, first Semester Algebra II

This is an honors level lab course that includes labs and projects focused on critical thinking, creativity, and understanding of the scientific process. The course emphasizes core concepts of Algebra-based Physics preparing the student for future college-level Physics courses. The key concepts of the course have a focus on mechanical physics with introductory level electromagnetics and wave mechanics. This course meets the Physical Science credit requirement for graduation.

Physics Honors Syllabus

Demo Lesson

 

PHYSICAL SCIENCE (LAB SCIENCE)

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.5 or 1.0
Prerequisites: None

This course is the foundation course for all high school science courses. Students will study basic chemistry with topics in properties of matter, atomic structure, and chemical reactions and basic physics with topics in energy, force, motion, machines, light, sound, electricity, and magnetism. This course meets the Physical Science credit requirement for graduation.

Physical Science Syllabus

Demo Lesson

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