Biology 1

Grades 10-12

Biology 1 is a course that introduces students to the world of living things. The students explore the following:

• Basic life processes at the molecular, cellular, systemic, organism, and ecological levels of organization within the biosphere.
• Interdependence and interactions within the environment to include relationships, behavior, and population dynamics.
• Cultural and historical scientific contributions on men and women.
• Evidence that supports biological evolution and…
• Current and emerging technology applications.

It is the expectation that students will experience the content of Biology 1 through an inquiry approach. Using available technology, students will investigate the world around them. Biology 1 will provide the student with knowledge, prerequisite skills, and the habits of the mind needed for daily living and ethical decision-making. This course provides a foundation for advanced biological studies and personal career choices. (1 Credit)

Biology 2

Biology II: Grades 11-12

Biology II is a course that introduces students to major specialty areas of biology. The students will explore the following:

The student will observe, model, and/or manipulate a variety of organisms representing the major groups of invertebrate. Prerequisite: Chemistry I and Biology I (1 Credit)

Chemistry 1

Chemistry 1: grades 10-12

Chemistry is a course that explores the properties of substances and the changes that substances undergo. The student will investigate the following:

• Atomic Structure
• Matter and Energy
• Interactions of Matter
• Properties of Solutions and Acids and Bases

Students should explore chemistry through inquiry, hands-on laboratory investigations, individual studies, and group activities. The students’ experiences in chemistry should enable them to understand the role of chemistry in their lives by investigating substances that occur in nature, in living organisms, and those that are created by humans. Their study should include both qualitative and quantitative descriptions of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. Students should practice the necessary precautions for performing safe inquiries and activities and appreciate the risks and benefits of producing and using chemical substances. Prerequisites: Algebra 1. (1 Credit)

Chemistry 2

Chemistry II

Chemistry II is a continuation of Chemistry 1, but it investigates in greater depth the fundamental makeup of matter, the interactions of matter, and the energy of such interactions. This course may be used as the basis for an AP Chemistry class, or it may be taught concurrently with AP Chemistry. The student will investigate the following:

• Structure of Matter.
• States of Matter.
• Reactions.

(1 Credit)

Earth Science

Earth Science: Grade 9

Earth Science is a course that explores the origins and the connections between the physical, chemical, and biological processes of the Earth System. The student will investigate:

• Earth System.
• Energy in the Earth System
• Cycles in the Earth System
• And Geological History

It is the expectation that students will experience the content of earth Science through inquiry learning. Hands-on laboratory investigations, individual studies, and group activities should be a major portion of the learning experience. Students focus on topics associated with matter, energy, crystal dynamics, cycles, geochemical processes, and the expanded time scales necessary to understand events in the Earth System. Earth Science will provide the knowledge, prerequisite skills, and habits of mind needed for problem solving and ethical decision-making about matters of scientific and technological concern, as well as, provide a basic foundation for advanced studies in biology, chemistry, physics, and personal career choices. Special Education students only.

1 Credit)

Ecology

Ecology: Grades 11-12

Ecology is a course that enables students to develop an understanding of the natural environment and the environmental problems the world faces. Students will investigate the following:

• Fundamental Ecological Principles
• Human Population Dynamics
• Natural Resources
• Energy Sources and their use
• Human Interaction with the environment
• Personal and Civic Responsibility

It is the expectation that students will explore the content of Ecology through inquiry. This advanced science course will utilize group lab and field experiences to meet these expectations. Concepts from Biology I and Chemistry I will be applied. Particular emphasis will be placed on local environments. Students will develop a basic understanding of ecology as a basis for making ethical decisions and career choices. Prerequisite: Biology I and Chemistry or Physics or Physical Science. (1 Credit)

Geology

Geology is a course that explores the origins and the connections between the physical, chemical, and biological processes of the Earth system. The student will investigate:

• Maps
• Matter and Minerals
• Rocks and the Rock Cycle
• Geologic History
• Plate Tectonics
• External Landform Morphology

Students will experience the content of Geology through investigations and observations both in the field and the laboratory and through open-ended problem solving via cooperative learning and individual research.

Students will focus on the physical aspects of Earth processes and cycles. The participants will understand the importance of these processes and how they have and will continue to influence mans very existence and well-being. This will enable them to make sound decisions relative to their community as well as the Earth’s environments as a whole. Geology will provide a means of connecting all disciplines of science including biology, chemistry and physics. Geology also provides many areas of opportunity for personal career. (1 Credit)

Life Science

Grades 9-10

Life Science is a course that introduces students to living things and their relationship to the environment. The students explore the following:

• Cells
• Ecological Interactions
• Energy Production and Use
• Reproduction and Inheritance
• Classification and Environment Diversity
• And Biological Evolution

The Life Science standards provide a basic foundation for the biological sciences. This curriculum is aligned with the Gateway Biology I course and the K-8 curriculum. Hands-on laboratory investigations, technology, research; inquiry, individual and group activities are used to meet the life science standards. Although the microscope is not addressed directly in the curriculum, it is recommended that students use this investigative tool extensively and vertebrate animals, to gain an understanding of increasing complexity. (1 Credit)

Physical Science

Grades 9-12

Physical Science is a course that explores the relationship between matter and energy. Students should learn Physical Science through the process of inquiry. Hands-on laboratory investigations, individual studies, and group activities should constitute a major portion of the learning experience. Using available technology, students will investigate forces and motion, the chemical and the physical properties of matter, the ways in which matter and energy interact with the natural world, and the forms and properties of energy. Conservation of matter and energy is an underlying theme throughout the entire course. Physical Science provides the knowledge, prerequisite skills, and habits of mind needed for problem solving and ethical decision-making about matters of scientific and technological concern. Physical Science offers a basic foundation for advanced studies in Chemistry and Physics. Must be enrolled in Algebra I (1 Credit)

Physics

Grades 11-12

Physics is a course that deals with the relationship between matter and energy and how they interact. The following major areas will be investigated:

Using available materials and technology, students will carry out investigations of the above areas using inquiry based learning, hands-on laboratory investigations, observation of demonstrations, individual studies, and group activities. This course will afford students the opportunity to apply knowledge and prerequisite skills, habits of mind needed for problem solving and ethical decision-making about local and global scientific and technological concerns. This course will provide knowledge and experiences needed for advanced studies and personal career. Prerequisites: Algebra I (1 Credit)