COURSE DESCRIPTION

This first year course is an introduction to science, emphasizing hands-on experimental design and data analysis. Students will be guided through in-depth assessment of experimental results with the goal of increasing critical thinking skills. The course includes four major themes: chemistry, Earth and space science, physics, and engineering. The fourth quarter will revolve around engineering project based learning modules to allow all students to explore scientific principles in real-life situations. Students in the honors section will explore all class material in more depth and must demonstrate initiative and scientific curiosity. Use of scientific and computational technology will be an integral part of this course.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 9
• PREREQUISITES 90+ IN MATH ON THE PLACEMENT TEST
• CO-REQUISITE MUST BE ENROLLED IN AN HONORS LEVEL MATH CLASS
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? YES

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to look at the structure and function of organisms that make up the natural world. First semester includes review and application of scientific method, cellular and molecular biology, and the study of genetics. Second semester focuses on evolution, classification, exploration of taxonomic groups, and ecology. Throughout the year, there will be emphasis on the collection and presentation of data, hands-on scientific experimentation and inquiry, and development of standard biological laboratory skills to enhance learning.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 10
• PREREQUISITES STEM EXPLORATIONS
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? YES

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to challenge motivated students, prepare those interested in a science career, as well as prepare those wanting to take AP Biology or Anatomy and Physiology – Honors. Critical thinking and math skills will be developed. Labs will move from teacher-directed to inquiry-based thus allowing students to pose, develop, and investigate biological problems. Emphasized topics include biochemistry, cell processes, genetics, evolution, microbiology, plant and animal anatomy and physiology, and ecology.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 9, 10
• PREREQUISITES STEM EXPLORATIONS (YEARLONG AVG. OF 85+ in HONORS OR 93+ in GENERAL)
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES. If you do not meet these prerequisites and wish to petition for admission to this course, please see your grade level counselor.
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO (But a student must pass a Biology course.)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course teaches fundamental concepts of general chemistry with emphasis on data collection and analysis as well as graphical interpretation. Students develop laboratory skills through extensive experimentation utilizing small scale lab techniques and technology. Topics included are mathematical skills, properties of matter, atomic theory and structure, chemical bonding, chemical equations, stoichiometry, gas laws, acids and bases, solutions, equilibrium/kinetics, thermochemistry, and nuclear chemistry.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11
• PREREQUISITES STEM EXPLORATIONS & BIOLOGY
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO (However, chemistry or physics is required for pre-college curriculum)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to challenge students who are interested in a future career in science or health care. The class topics will be covered in more depth and will require critical and analytical thinking skills. It is imperative that students have the maturity, study habits, and motivation necessary for this accelerated course. Topics included are mathematical skills, properties of matter, atomic theory and structure, chemical bonding and molecular structure, chemical equations, stoichiometry, gas laws, acids and bases, solutions, chemical equilibrium, kinetics, thermochemistry, and nuclear chemistry.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 10, 11
• PREREQUISITES
  • BIOLOGY (YEARLONG AVERAGE OF 85+ in HONORS OR 93+ in GENERAL)
  • STEM (YEARLONG AVERAGE OF 85+ in HONORS OR 93+ in GENERAL)
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES. If you do not meet these prerequisites and wish to petition for admission to this course, please see your grade level counselor.
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO (However, chemistry or physics is required for pre-college curriculum)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This multifaceted course offers an overview of scientific and social topics needed to understand the environmental issues and challenges of today’s world. The class focuses on the inter-relationships between the environment and living organisms, especially the impact of human actions on the natural world. Course topics include: types of ecosystems, energy flow through ecosystems, interactions of populations and communities, and sustainable development. Field and laboratory work will be included.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11, 12
• PREREQUISITES BIOLOGY
• COREQUISITE CHEMISTRY
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This class is an introduction to the structure and function of the human body. It is appropriate for students considering a healthcare career, or anyone who wants to learn more about how the body functions. This class will stress practical applications along with standard anatomy topics, including current issues in healthcare. Dissection is a required and significant part of this course, and will include the sheep brain, cow eye, sheep heart, and fetal pig. The class also includes an optional field trip to a local university cadaver lab.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11, 12
• PREREQUISITES BIOLOGY
• CO-REQUISITE CHEMISTRY
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This accelerated course offers an in-depth coverage of structure and function of the human body. It is appropriate for students planning a career in a medical field (physician, nurse, physical therapist, sports medicine, personal trainer, pharmacist, etc.) who are interested in a rigorous course stressing critical thinking and analytical assessment of biomedical case studies and current events. The class will be modeled after a college level course. Dissection is a required and significant part of this course, and will include the sheep brain, cow eye, sheep heart, and fetal pig. The class also includes an optional field trip to a local university cadaver lab. If you are planning on taking AP Biology during your senior year, this class is strongly suggested.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11, 12
• PREREQUISITES BIOLOGY ( (YEARLONG AVERAGE OF 85+ in HONORS OR 93+ in GENERAL)
• CO-REQUISITE CHEMISTRY
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed as a science elective for students entering grades 11-12. Students will use scientific reasoning and processing skills as they study and explore the animal kingdom. Topics that will be covered will include taxonomy, natural selection and the anatomical and physiological characteristics of phyla from the primitive (Porifera) to the advanced (Chordata). Zoology will be primarily a lab based course with an emphasis on collaboration and laboratory projects. The students will also utilize the outdoor environment on campus for various activities.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11, 12
• PREREQUISITES SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY (MAY BE TAKEN CONCURRENTLY WITH CHEMISTRY)
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? NO
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This weighted course is one in applied physics primarily for college-bound science, math, and engineering students. Students planning to take AP Physics their senior year are strongly encouraged to take this course their junior year; seniors may not take this course concurrently with AP Physics. Topics to be covered include motion, forces, equilibrium,, work and energy, heat, conservation principles, waves, sound, light, color, optics, electricity, and magnetism. The course involves extensive work with significant figures, problem solving, graphing and analysis of data, and projects including report writing and oral presentations.. A basic understanding of trigonometric functions is necessary.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11, 12
• PREREQUISITES GEOMETRY HONORS (YEARLONG AVERAGE OF 90+)
• COREQUISITES PRECALCULUS HONORS, CALCULUS HONORS, OR AP CALCULUS
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES. If you do not meet these prerequisites and wish to petition for admission to this course, please see your grade level counselor.
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO (However, chemistry or physics is required for pre-college curriculum)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. The AP Biology curriculum places more emphasis on integrating inquiry and reasoning throughout the course. Course content revolves around four themes: evolution, cellular processes, genetics with information transfer, and systems interactions. To be successful, students will need excellent critical thinking and math skills, self-motivation, and good study habits. It is highly recommended that students also take Anatomy and Physiology as it is one of the content areas tested. Students are required to attend lab after school at St. Henry District High School one afternoon per week. Students take the AP exam in May.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11, 12
• PREREQUISITES BIOLOGY (YEARLONG AVERAGE OF 85+ in HONORS OR 93+ in GENERAL)CHEMISTRY (YEARLONG AVERAGE OF 85+ in HONORS OR 93+ in GENERAL) Students registering for this class must have taken at least one previous honors science class.
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. The College Board has developed this course to improve student development of advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts in and across domains. The result will be readiness for the study of advanced topics in subsequent college courses. The key concepts and related content that define this AP Chemistry course are organized around a few underlying principles, which encompass the core scientific theories and processes governing chemical systems. To be successful, students will need excellent critical thinking and math skills, motivation, and good study habits. Students will take the AP exam in May.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11, 12
• PREREQUISITES CHEMISTRY HONORS (YEARLONG AVERAGE OF 90+)
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This weighted course follows the College Board syllabus for AP Physics C: Mechanics and is equivalent to the first class of university calculus-based physics. Students planning to pursue a career in engineering, physics, or chemistry should take this course. The course covers mechanics in full detail, has a strong laboratory component, and emphasizes student problem-solving strategies. Topics include kinematics, forces, energy, momentum, rotational motion, oscillations, and gravitation. Students must have an excellent work ethic in order to do well in this class. A mastery of algebra and basic trigonometry is required for the course and the basic ideas of calculus will be introduced in connection with physical concepts such as acceleration and work. Students take the AP exam in May. A summer assignment will be given.

• CREDIT 1
• SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL 11, 12
• PREREQUISITES PRECALCULUS HONORS and CHEMISTRY HONORS (YEARLONG AVERAGE OF 90+)
• COREQUISITE AP CALCULUS
• NEED TEACHER RECOMMENDATION? YES
• REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION? NO