Science Department

The science curriculum is designed to build an understanding of science by doing science. Students learn to make observations through experiments, and they develop conceptual and analytical reasoning skills by relating observations to theories and by solving problems. In laboratory courses, one of the class meetings each week is a double lab period.

Middle School:

Life Science A:

Students will investigate the interdependence of organisms on Earth through a study of Ecology and then discover how and why those organisms are classified. During the first semester, students will explore the basic characteristics of living things, how those living things function and coexist in an environment and what roles those living things fulfill. Through interactive lessons, students will gain a better understanding of survival in an ecosystem. Students will also reinforce what they know about cycles in nature and gain a more in depth understanding of how the three major cycles are interrelated. The second semester will focus on classification of living things. Through inquiry-based lessons, students will gain an understanding of taxonomy by working with different types of classification tools and explore the eight levels of classification. Students will then study the major domains of classification and the kingdoms within them.

Life Science B:

Through project based and inquiry learning, students will explore human biology from a basic cell and its process to a complex human organism understanding all its major systems. During the first semester, students will study cells and cell processes. Students will gain an understanding that the cell is the basic unit of life and the process that one cell uses to carry out its individual role in the body. Beginning during the first semester and carrying through the second semester, students will explore the human body and its complex systems through hands on lessons and inquiry-based curriculum. All the body’s major systems will be explored and how they function to keep a human organism alive. The semester will conclude with a study of heredity and genetics and how the cells we first studied carry all the traits that human exhibit.

Physical Science: (Required – Year Long – 1 credit – Grade 8)

The Physical Science curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to have a richer knowledge base in physical science. This course is designed as a survey course of chemistry and physics. This curriculum includes the more abstract concepts such as the conceptualization of the structure of atoms, motion and forces, and the conservation of energy and matter, the action/reaction principle, and wave behavior. Students investigate physical science concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.

Upper School:

Biology: (Required – Year Long – 1 Credit – Grade 9)

Concepts for this course include the interdependence of organisms; the relationship of matter, energy, and organization in living systems; the behavior of organisms; and biological evolution. Students will investigate biological concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.

Chemistry: (Required – Year Long – 1 Credit – Grade 10)

This course addresses the structure of atoms, the structure and properties of matter, and the conservation and interaction of energy and matter. Students will investigate chemistry concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.

AP Physics 1: (Alternative to Physical Science/Elective – Year Long – 1 Credit – Grade 11/12)

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based course equivalent to an introductory college course (1st semester). Students develop an understanding of the foundational physics principles. Through an inquiry-based approach, students develop content knowledge and critical-thinking skills, including kinematics, Newton’s laws, simple harmonic motion, and circular motion. The objectives for this course follow the College Board Framework, preparing students for the Advanced Placement Physics 1 exam.

*Requires departmental recommendation based on solid A achievement in prior coursework, including a demonstrated potential to actively participate and succeed in a college-level course. Must take College Board AP exam in the spring.

AP Physics C: (Alternative to Physical Science/Elective – Year Long – 1 Credit – Grade 11/12)

This is a college-level physics course and is calculus based. Students develop an understanding of the foundational physics principles. Through an inquiry-based approach, students develop content knowledge and critical-thinking skills, including kinematics, Newton’s laws, simple harmonic motion, and circular motion. The objectives for this course follow the College Board syllabus, preparing students for the Advanced Placement Physics C exam.

AP Environmental Science: (Elective – Year Long – 1 Credit – Grade 11/12)

This is a college-level environmental science course. The course is interdisciplinary, with elements of geology, ecology, environmental studies, chemistry, and physics. The course stresses scientific principles in the analysis of issues. The goal is to prepare the student with the tools required to understand interrelationships of the natural world in order to evaluate environmental problems and solutions. The objectives for this course follow the College Board syllabus, preparing students for the Advanced Placement Environmental Science exam.