|
Physical Science
The Ninth Grade Physical Science objectives continue the development of foundational knowledge in chemistry, physics, earth science and astronomy. All students will demonstrate scientific literacy and the use of 21st Century Skills across these major fields of science. Students will explore occupational opportunities in chemistry, engineering, earth science, and technology and evaluate the required academic preparations. Students in Ninth Grade Physical Science will expand and deepen their understanding of major concepts such as energy interactions, chemical changes and earth processes. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50 percent of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills. Safety instruction is integrated in all activities.
Biology
Prerequisite: Physical Science
Biology is a course designed for students who desire a broader, in-depth study of the content found in many biological fields of endeavor. Students will explore occupational opportunities in health, engineering, and technology and evaluate the required academic preparations while expanding laboratory skills and experiences. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations, and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills. Safety instruction is integrated in all activities.
Conceptual Biology
Prerequisite: Physical Science
Conceptual Biology is an introductory course designed for students who are interested in the field of technical biology which will give them the scientific knowledge, opportunities to develop the inquiry, problem solving skills, and decision making abilities necessary for their future vocation. Conceptual Biology is an alternative to Biology and is designed to prepare students for entry-level careers, using skills for the 21st Century. Students will explore occupational opportunities in health, engineering, and technology and evaluate the required academic preparations while expanding their knowledge and laboratory experiences. The course will provide an in-depth study in the chemical nature of life, cellular functions, microbiology, ecology, biotechnology, zoology and botany with an emphasis on application. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations, and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities.
Biology II
Prerequisite: Physical Science, suggested C in Biology
Biology II is an advanced course that is an elective designed for students who have completed Biology or Conceptual Biology and desire an in-depth and rigorous study of the content found in many biological fields of endeavor. This course is designed to build upon and extend the Biology and Conceptual Biology concepts, skills and knowledge from a science program, using skills for the 21st Century. Students interested in health and scientific related careers will evaluate the required academic preparations while building and expanding their laboratory skills and experiences. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities.
Chemistry
Prerequisite: Physical Science, Biology, Algebra I
Chemistry is an advanced level course designed for students who desire a broader, in-depth study of the content found in the science field of chemistry. Chemistry is the study of matter, its composition and its changes. This course is designed to build upon and extend the Chemistry concepts, skills and knowledge from the science program using skills for the 21st century. This course is designed to prepare a student for college chemistry, requiring a strong mathematical base. The relationship between chemistry concepts and mathematics will be emphasized. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills as they evaluate the academic requirements and prepare for occupational opportunities in biology, chemistry, engineering, and technology. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities.
Conceptual Chemistry
Prerequisite: Physical Science, Biology, Algebra I
Conceptual Chemistry is an introductory level course designed for students in the skilled pathway who desire an alternative to a traditional college preparatory course emphasizing real life applications of chemical principles. Mathematical based problem solving is de-emphasized. Conceptual Chemistry is the study of matter, its composition and its changes. Emphasis is placed on the important role chemistry plays in a student’s personal life, career opportunities, environment and society while developing 21st century skills. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research laboratory skills as they evaluate the academic requirements and prepare for occupational opportunities in biology, chemistry, engineering, and technology. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities.
Chemistry II
Prerequisite: Physical Science, Biology, Algebra II, strong math background
Chemistry II is an advanced level course that is an elective designed for students who have completed Chemistry and desire a broader, in-depth study of the content found in the science field of chemistry. Chemistry is the study of matter, its composition and its changes. This course is designed to prepare students to be critical and independent thinkers who are able to function effectively in a scientific and technological society, and to build upon and extend the chemistry concepts, skills and knowledge from the previous chemistry class. This course is designed not only to prepare a student for college chemistry but to make the college chemistry experience much easier as the student will have already studied much of the material reserved for college chemistry at the high school level. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills as they evaluate the academic requirements and prepare for occupational opportunities in biology, chemistry, engineering, and technology. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities.
Earth Science
Prerequisite: Physical Science, Biology
Earth Science is an advanced level lab course that is an elective designed for students who desire a broader understanding of the fundamentals of earth science and includes geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy. This course is designed to build on knowledge, skills, and dispositions developed during the science progression, which included the traditional disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics where appropriate. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills as they evaluate the academic requirements and prepare for occupational opportunities in geology, astronomy, astronomy, and ecology. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities.
Environmental Science
Prerequisite: Physical Science, Biology
Environmental Science is an elective, advanced level lab course which builds on foundational knowledge of the chemical, physical, biological, geological processes and focuses on the natural world. Through an inquiry-based program of study, all students will demonstrate environmental literacy as they explore the economic, social, political, and ecological interdependence in urban and rural areas. Students will synthesize information and experiences across disciplines as they acquire knowledge, values, and skills needed to protect and improve the environment. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50 percent of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills. Safety instruction is integrated in all activities.
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Prerequisite: Physical Science, suggested C in Biology
Human Anatomy and Physiology is an advanced course that is an elective designed for those students wanting a deeper understanding of the structure and function of the human body. The body will be viewed as a whole using anatomical terminology necessary to describe location. Focus will be at both micro and macro levels reviewing cellular functions, biochemical processes, tissue interactions, organ systems and the interaction of those systems as it relates to the human organism. Systems covered include integumentary, skeletal, muscular, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, excretory, reproductive immunological, nervous and endocrine. This course will develop 21st century skills and be appropriate for college bound students as well as those choosing a health services career cluster. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigation, and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills as they evaluate the academic requirements and prepare for occupational opportunities in health and medical fields. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities.
Physics
Prerequisite: Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Algebra II, strong math background
Physics is an advanced level course that is an elective designed for students desiring a broader, in-depth study of the content found in the science field of physics. As a college preparatory course, Advanced Physics is a laboratory driven, advanced study of nature’s universal laws with emphasis on process skills, using 21st century skills. This course is designed to build upon and extend the Physics concepts, skills, and knowledge from the science program. The course emphasizes a mathematical approach to the areas of kinematics, dynamics, thermodynamics, light and optics, electricity and magnetism and modern physics. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations, and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills as they evaluate the academic requirements and prepare for occupational opportunities in biology, engineering and technology. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities.
|
