SHS Science Course Offerings

* Information for current 9th-11th grade students

as you register for the 2015-16 School Year

• Environmental Systems • General Biology • General Chemistry • General Physics

(The following are semester long)

• Chemistry Lab Methods • Physics Lab Methods • Concepts in Advanced

Science • Astronomy

• IB Biology 1, 2 ▫ (HL test available)

• IB Chemistry 1, 2 ▫ (SL/HL tests available)

• IB Environmental Systems and Society 1 ▫ (SL test available)

• IB Physics 1, 2 ▫ (HL test available)

Math Level Recommendations

• If you WILL NOT be in Algebra 2 next year, we recommend that you consider one of the following choices:

• Biology

• Lab Methods: Chemistry

• Lab Methods: Physics

• Environmental Systems

• If you will be in Algebra 2 or higher, we recommend that you consider one of the following choices:

Next year’s 10th-12th grade:

• Concepts in Adv. Science (next year’s 10th)

• General Chemistry

• General Physics

• Environmental Systems

Next year’s 11th and 12th grade only:

• IB Chemistry 1

• IB Physics 1

• IB Biology 1

• IB Environmental Systems and Society

Descriptions of Courses

• The following slides may give you brief descriptions of the courses, what concepts are taught, learning recommendations, and more.

• If you have questions, talk with your current science teacher – they might point you in the direction of the science teacher that teaches those courses for any other detailed information you may want.

Chemistry or Physics Laboratory

Methods

Who should consider taking these courses?

- Incoming freshmen who are interested in taking upper level chemistry, biology, or physics courses

- Students who have already taken Biology as freshmen who will have a math level that is at least Algebra 1 as sophomores.

Tidbits

• Each course is a one semester, 0.5 credit course. However, it is recommended that they be taken together in the same year to fulfill one full credit of a laboratory based science course.

• These courses fulfill college prep requirements as outlined by the Higher Education Board of the State of Washington (HEC board) as a lab-based science course.

CHEMISTRY LABORATORY METHODS

What will I learn in this course?

CONTENT:

Fundamental concepts of chemistry, such as…

…relationship between atomic structure and periodic trends

…chemical bonding

…chemical and nuclear reactions

SKILLS:

• Fundamental laboratory techniques and lab safety

• Increased use of metric units and conversion techniques

• Graphical analysis and interpretation fundamentals

• Use of electronic tools for data collection and manipulation

• Scientific communication through technical writing

PHYSICS LABORATORY METHODS

What will I learn in this course?

Content:

Fundamental concepts of physics, such as…

…kinematics

…dimensional analysis

…applications of Newton’s Laws and energy transformation

Skills:

• Fundamental laboratory techniques and lab safety

• Increased use of metric units and conversion techniques

• Graphical analysis and interpretation fundamentals

• Use of electronic tools for data collection and manipulation

• Scientific communication through technical writing

Concepts in Advanced Sciences Preparation for IB Sciences

• This intensive course will cover the contents and skills that will help a student to be more successful in IB Sciences.

• 1 Semester Course

• NOT needed for IB Science, but can be good preparation for an IB Science.

• Can be taken to offset an elective class (Lab Methods, etc.)

• NCAA approved Math & Lab based class

• Learning Recommendations:

• Algebra 2 or higher

Microbiology Microscope

Cells and organelles

Biochemistry (fats, sugars, nucleic acids)

DNA

Genetics

Macrobiology Evolution

Ecology

Populations

Human Impact

Prepares you for the biology end of the course exam. You must pass this exam for graduation.

Lab-based college-recognized science course.

Prepares you for advanced coursework in IB Environmental Systems and IB Biology.

Gives you lab skills that prepare you for all upper level coursework

Biodiversity

• Native Ecology

• Ethnobotany

• Ecosystems

• Biomes

• Ecological Succession

• Populations

Water

• Water Quality

• Ocean Currents

• Tides

Earth

• Soil Studies

• Earthquakes

• Volcanoes

• Plate Tectonics

Climate

• Weather

• Climate Change

Energy • Sustainability

General Environmental Systems What do you learn?

• Lab Based; no Algebra requirement

• Lots of hands-on data collection experience in Skyline’s outdoor forest and pond lab

• Project-based learning and real-world applications. Special topics include:

• Identifying local plant species

• Mt St Helens

• Galapagos Islands

• Elhwa Dam

• Lost Civilizations

General Environmental Systems What do you do?

GENERAL CHEMISTRY

General Chemistry Fun Experiments •Make a GOLD PENNY.

•Hot Air Balloons

•Filtration and Evaporation

•Heating Curve for Water

•Titrations (fun but

aggravating!)

Topics Covered •Atomic Structure and

Compounds

• Chemical Reactions.

•Stoichiometry—quantitative

relationships in chemical

reactions.

•Energy Relationships

•Chemical Equilibrium

•Solution Chemistry

•Acids and Bases

•Gas Laws

GENERAL CHEMISTRY

General Chemistry Learning Recommendations

•Chemistry Lab Methods.

•General Biology.

•A grade of B or better in

Algebra 1 and concurrent

enrollment in Algebra 2.

•Proficient in the use of

computer software for word

processing and spreadsheets.

•Proficient in lab technique,

problem solving and critical

thinking.

General Description

•Emphasis on lab skills and

scientific inquiry.

• Emphasis on critical thinking

and problem solving.

•Chemistry is a quantitative

science and students do a

significant amount of math.

•This is a lab-based and

algebra based science course.

•Chemistry gives the “WHY” of

what happens in our world.

GENERAL PHYSICS WHY TAKE IT? 1) Learn about how physical world works.

2) Improve critical thinking skills.

3) Counts as algebra based science

credit required by most 4 year

colleges.

4) Research shows that taking high

school physics increases success in

college.

5) Students interested in technical

careers benefit greatly from

understanding physics

(Engineering, Medicine, Science,

Construction, Mathematics,

Automotive, Architecture and More)

You are ready for Physics

if you…

Have completed Algebra 2 OR are concurrently enrolled in Algebra 2 and have strong math skills

Are ready to work hard, think hard and interact positively with your fellow classmates.

Have the ability to solve problems and create projects as part of a team

Topics Covered Mechanics (forces,

interactions and motion) Linear motion

Forces and Dynamics

Projectile Motion

Momentum and Collisions

Work, Energy, and Power

Wave Behavior and Mechanics

Sound and Music

Light, Color, and Optics

Geophysics and/or Model Rocketry

GENERAL INFORMATION

Intermediate science course

with emphasis in:

Upper level science lab skills

Inquiry investigations

Mathematics applications in

science

Engineering projects

Critical thinking and problem

solving

Communication through

scientific reading and writing

Student lead research projects

Why Take It?

Great preparation for upper

level sciences OR a great class

to take if you love science!

Immediately observable

science

Get to know how the universe

works!

Great exploration into what its

like to be n astronomer,

astrophysicist, etc.

You will learn:

Methods of measurement

History of Astronomy

Space Exploration and

Rocketry

Formation of the Solar

System and its Bodies

Characteristics of Stars

Main Sequence Evolution

Post MS Results

Galaxy Morphology

The History of the Universe

and its Evidence

As time allows: special

topics and current events in

astronomy and

astrophysics

You are ready for Astronomy

if…

You will be enrolled in

geometry or higher

You have successfully

completed biology

You have successfully

completed physical

science/lab methods course

IB BIOLOGY •Lab based science.

•Deepen your understanding of the science of life while having fun.

•Recommend B or better in general biology.

•Test to earn college credit.

IB BIOLOGY I TOPICS

• Biochemistry

• Cell structure and function

• DNA and biotechnology

• Biology of Cancer

• Human reproduction

• Genetics

• Evolution

IB BIOLOGY II TOPICS • Diversity of Life • Ecology • Botany • Cell respiration • Photosynthesis • Human anatomy &

physiology

IB Chemistry Topics Covered:

•Quantitative Chemistry

•Atomic Structure

•Periodicity

•Bonding

•Energetics

•Kinetics

•Equilibrium

•Acids & Bases

•Redox Reactions

•Organic Chemistry

Learning Recommendations:

• Familiarity with basic chemistry principles, such as those taught in the Chemistry Lab Methods courses

• Concurrent enrollment, or successful completion of, Algebra 2

IB Chemistry From Past & Current Students

•“I love the labs”

•“It’s math-based. Some people don’t realize that.”

•“Since it’s an IB class, it’ll look good on college apps.”

•“I really like this class. I like how we get lots of practice with all the worksheets.”

•“It’s like Swiftney knows what he’s doing…it’s CRAZY.”

From alumni:

•“Hansen and I are consistently the fastest people in our chem. class at doing labs, thanks to you.”

•“I just wanted to let you know how much your class has been helping me out in intro chemistry. I have an understanding of most of the topics and it’s helping me transition better! Just wanted to say thank you for your teaching last year.”

Highlights: • Thermite Demonstration • Alkali Metals Demonstration • Cheeto Lab • M&M (Chromatography ) Lab • Being prepared for College

Chemistry Classes This is a “High Expectations”

course: -You are expected to work hard -You will learn college level

chemistry

IB Environmental Systems and Society What will you learn?

Environmental Ethics

Ecology Ecosystems

populations

biodiversity

Human Impact Pollution of air, water, soil

Includes climate change

Includes both indoor and outdoor data collection (we collect data in our outdoor classroom behind the Skyline fence).

Tidbits

• Recognized as a lab science.

• Standard Level only which means you can take the test as a junior or senior.

• Group 4 project is not a requirement.

• For IB Diploma Candidates you can get dual credit—one for a lab science and one for social science, thus freeing up your schedule to take an additional course.

IB Physics 1

• What topics will we study?

– Mechanics

– Engineering physics

– Thermal Physics

– Nuclear and Atomic Physics

– Oscillations and Waves

– Amusement Park Physics

– Intro to Electricity

“From sub-atomic to astronomical, I guarantee you, every step of the way, your mind will be blown!”

“You will finally understand how our world works. Plus, it’s crazy interesting.”

IB Physics 1 • Learning

Recommendations: – Concurrent enrollment, or

successful completion of, at least Algebra 2

– Successful completion of Physics Lab Methods and Chemistry Lab Methods and/or Concepts in Advanced Science

• “Physics has an application for everything; that’s why it’s amazing!”

• Other “tidbits”: – “IB Physics will introduce

you thoroughly to concepts you’ll see again in college”

– “Physics can be applied to many jobs in the future.”

– “…plus, Silverwood will be great!”

Memorable Labs:

- Create a radioactive isotope

- Wave machines

- Collisions and Roller Coasters

- And so many more!!