SCIENCE COURSES

General Science                                                          year                         1 credit

     The General Science course is an eclectic approach to science education based on the Pennsylvania State Science and Technology Standards and serves to prepare students for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment’s Science assessment.  The course will cover science standards (topics) in chemistry, physics, and biology.  This is not a college preparatory science course.  (Grade 9)

 

General Biology                                                            year                         1 credit

     This course offers a practical approach to the basic principles of biology.  The principles will be related to the everyday conditions students encounter in their lives and in the life around them.  It will be based on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment's Science standards; it prepares students for the Keystone exam.  Labs experiences will be used to help the students apply what they have learned to their lives.  Upon completion of this course students will take the Keystone Biology Exam.  (Grades 10-12)

 

Keystone Remedial Biology                                  semester                    .5 credit

     This course is designed for students who did not reach the required points (1500) to pass the Biology Keystone, but had above 1470 points.  This is a one-semester course.  Students will be given an individual program based on the areas of the Keystone in which he or she was deficient.  Each student till be given a study guide to use which includes Keystone concepts BIG ideas and vocabulary important to the topic.  Assessing will be individual in order to prepare each student to retake the Keystone during the winter testing session.  Activities will include facilitating one or two classes on a topic the student is studying to show understanding and reinforce information for class as well as Study Island and CDT testing.

 

College Preparatory Science Courses

Biology CP                                                                 year                         1 credit

       A course designed to further the student’s knowledge of the work of life.  Topics include:  differences in life forms, the cell, reproduction, growth, ecology, evolution, and environmental concerns.  Laboratory investigations will include the use of microscopes and techniques in dissection for studying the structure of plants and animals.  Upon completion of this course students will take the Keystone Biology Exam.  (Grade 9)

 

Chemistry                                                                 year                          1 credit

     This course is designed to introduce the student to the properties and behaviors of matter based on the atomic theory. Students will utilize basic algebra, graphing, laboratory skills, curiosity and insight, calculators and computers to assist in their investigations.  Prerequisite:  Must have completed successfully or be concurrently enrolled in Algebra 9, Geometry, or Algebra II.  (Grade 10-12)

 

Physics I                                                                    year                          1 credit

     A course designed to study the way in which matter and energy are related.  Students will investigate forces, motion, gravity, machines, heat, light, and sound.  Prerequisite:  Must have successfully completed Geometry, Algebra 9, and/or Algebra II concurrently and also have successfully completed Chemistry.  (Grade 11-12)

Advanced Chemistry (Dual Enrollment)                      year                           1 credit

     Advanced Chemistry will review the basics from Chemistry I (conversions, development of the Periodic Table, atomic structure, bonding, gas laws and stoichiometry) then continue on into more advanced topics including heats of reaction, acid base titrations, chemical equilibrium, oxidation-reduction reactions and finally an overview of organic chemistry.

     The course will also include a variety of laboratory experiments that supplement the classroom topics and will teach lab safety, proper lab procedures and techniques along with writing formal lab reports and a research paper.  This course is recommended for students intending to major in any science-related field.  The class is only open to seniors who have successfully completed Chemistry I.  Students can also obtain college credit through the dual enrollment program. (Grade 12)

Physics II (Dual Enrollment)                                        year                          1 credit

     We will begin a review of wave mechanics.  This will lay the foundation for the study of modern physics.  Students will study the evolution of modern theory of atomic structure.  This will lead into quantum mechanics and a study of the special and general electronics and review of current astronomy.  Concepts will be reinforced with lab activities and formal lab reports are expected.

     The last quarter of the course will be spent reviewing Newtonian mechanics.  Students will complete a final project.  They will brainstorm and design an amusement park ride.  After building a scale model of their ride and completing a paper they will do presentations to the class explaining the physics of the ride.  We will then explore first-hand the physics of the amusement park.  We will attend a field trip to Darien Lake where students are required to complete an assignment that will be part of their final exam.  It will include measurements and calculations on the various aspects of different amusement park rides.  Prerequisites:  Students must have successfully completed Physics I.  Students can also obtain college credit through the dual enrollment program.  (Grade 12)

 

Vertebrate Anatomy (Dual Enrollment)                          year                          1 credit

     A course designed to give the students an opportunity to explore the anatomical structure of representative vertebrate animals.  Investigative laboratory exercises will explore the anatomy of the cat and other species.  Students can also obtain college credit through the dual enrollment program.  (Grade 12)  Prerequisite:  Students must have successfully completed GeneralBiology or Biology CP.