The goal of College Preparatory Biology is to develop scientifically literate students who can solve problems and think creatively and critically about scientific issues. Students will appreciate science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts. College Preparatory Biology is a course designed to prepare students for senior electives and college biology courses. College Preparatory Biology explores the fundamental life structures of organisms through the study of cell structures and function, plant and animal characteristics, genetics, evolution, animal behavior and ecology. This Biology class is a combination of laboratory experiments, group projects, class discussions and independent research. A major portion of student effort is devoted to active laboratory investigations. Students will maintain bound journals in which they will not only record quantitative measurements and qualitative observations, but also interpret results and seek applications of concepts in everyday life.
Biology Honors
The goal of Honors Biology is to develop scientifically literate students who can solve problems and think creatively and critically about scientific issues. Students will appreciate science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts. Honors Biology is a course designed to prepare students for AP Biology and college biology courses.Honors Biology is an in-depth exploration in the fundamental life structures of organisms through the study of cell structures and function, plant and animal characteristics, genetics, evolution, animal behavior and ecology. This Biology class is a combination of laboratory experiments, group projects, class discussions and independent research. A major portion of student effort is devoted to active laboratory investigations. Honors students will be expected to be able to design and carry out their own experiments through guided inquiry. Students will maintain bound journals in which they will not only record quantitative measurements and qualitative observations, but also interpret results and seek applications of concepts in everyday life.
Chemistry College Prep
The goal of this chemistry course is to develop students that understand the fundamentals of chemistry and develops a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems. Students should develop the ability to think clearly and express their ideas orally and in writing. Chemistry is the study of the composition of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. Because all living and non-living things are composed of matter, chemistry affects all aspects of life and natural events. Chemistry concepts and scientific process skills are developed through the study of atomic theory and atomic structure, periodic laws, chemical bonding, states of matter, acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions, stoichiometry, equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. This course will also contain a significant laboratory component. Through the laboratory component students will develop skills in making observations, recording data, calculating and interpreting results based on quantitative data. Students will also develop skills and strategies necessary for effectively communicating the results of experimental work.
Chemistry Honors
The goal of this chemistry course is to develop students that understand the fundamentals of chemistry and develops a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems. Students should develop the ability to think clearly and express their ideas orally and in writing. Chemistry is the study of the composition of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. Because all living and non-living things are composed of matter, chemistry affects all aspects of life and natural events. Chemistry concepts and scientific process skills are developed through the study of atomic theory and atomic structure, periodic laws, chemical bonding, states of matter, acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions, stoichiometry, equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. This course will also contain a significant laboratory component. Through the laboratory component students will develop skills in making observations, recording data, calculating and interpreting results based on quantitative data. Students will also develop skills and strategies necessary for effectively communicating the results of experimental work. Independent investigation will be a key component for honors chemistry, which will include more in-depth scientific investigation that will be reported in a more formal scientific laboratory report format. The honors classroom will also require students to be more actively involved in classroom and laboratory learning experiences.
Physics College Prep
Physics is the study of matter and energy. In this laboratory course, students will follow an inquiry-based modeling curriculum to develop conceptual understandings and mathematical skills. The goal of this course is to create scientifically literate students who possess lab-based skills, can think critically and creatively, and can use physics to solve real-world problems in their daily lives. Students will explore the topics of motion, force, energy, electricity, magnetism, and waves. Success in College Prep Physics requires students to complete lab experiments, draw conclusions from their lab data, and use developing algebra skills to construct detailed concepts and models.
Physics Honors
Physics is the study of matter and energy. In this laboratory course, students will follow an inquiry-based modeling curriculum to develop conceptual understandings and mathematical skills. The goal of this course is to create scientifically literate students who possess lab-based skills, can think critically and creatively, and can use physics to solve real-world problems in their daily lives. Students will study in-depth the topics of motion, force, energy, electricity, magnetism, and waves. Success in Honors Physics requires students to design lab experiments, analyze and synthesize their lab data, and use strong algebra skills to construct complex concepts and models.
AP Environmental Studies
AP Environmental Science is a course designed to prepare students for the College Board AP Environmental Science Exam. The course meets three times with two 75-minute blocks for a total of 190 minutes. The textbook for this class will be G. Tyler Millerʼs Living in the Environment: Principles,Connections, and Solutions, 17th edition,Brooks/Cole/Thomson Learning. Students will have access to laptop computers to perform research, statistical analysis, and to construct graphic presentations. General laboratory equipment such as microscopes and glassware, as well as more specialized equipments such as soil testing kits and secci disks will be provided. We will be utilizing available green spaces in Chicago that include: ponds, forested areas, as well as open green spaces to conduct labs and environmental studies. Students will keep a permanently bound laboratory notebook with carbonless duplicates as well as a three-ring binder of all their lab reports and class materials. Students will continually be assessed both formatively and summatively using bell ringers, exit slips, quizzes, lab reports, exams, oral presentations, research projects, homework assignments, and journals.
