The AP Chemistry course is designed by the College Board® to be the equivalent of a general chemistry course taken during the first year of college. By passing the AP Chemistry Exam at the end of this course with a score of 3 out of 5, students will be able to test out of college freshman Chemistry at most universities. With scores of 4 and 5 students are eligible for certain scholarships and admittance into select schools. This course is structured around the following six big ideas: Structure of matter, properties of matter-characteristics, states, and forces of attraction, chemical reactions, rates of chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and equilibrium

A special emphasis will be placed on engaging, hands-on laboratory practices that account for a large portion of the time spent in the laboratory classroom. Labs will be structured in a guided-inquiry format, with students often developing their own lab procedures to solve a problem or come to a conclusion.

The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-smemster, introductory college course in environmental science. Students are provided with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies requires to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. The following themes provide the foundation for the structure of the course: Science is a process, energy conversions underlie all ecological processes, the Earth itself is one interconnected system, humans alter natural systems, environmental problems have a cultural and social context, and human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. The topics covered in the context of the themes include Earth systems and resources, the living world, population, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, and global change. Students will investigate these topics through traditional classroom learning as well as laboratory and field investigation.

Biology is the study of living things and their processes. During the year this course will provide students with the opportunity to develop scientific reasoning skills, learn about all areas of biology, and find understanding of the fundamental principles of living organisms. Students will explore biological science as a process, cell structure and function, genetics and heredity, evolution and classification, diversity of living organisms and their ecological roles, and an introduction to animal structure and function. Biology lab is a class designed to accompany the biology class that allows students to develop scientific process skills, learn laboratory techniques and lab safety. Students will practice lab skills such as measuring, weighing, using a microscope and performing dissections.

In Chemistry, students learn about the properties of matter and how these properties help to organize elements on the periodic table. Students develop a better understanding of the structure of the atom. Students develop an understanding of chemical reactions, including the involvement of energy and sub-atomic particles, to better understand the nature of chemical changes. Students learn about chemical reactions that occur around us every day as they learn about chemical reactions such as oxidation-reduction, combustion, and decomposition. Students also gain a deeper understanding of acids and bases, rates of reactions, and factors that affect those rates. From calculating stoichiometry problems and molar concentrations, students learn about proportionality and strengthen their mathematical skills. Learning standards for high school Chemistry fall under the following eight subtopics: Properties of Matter; Atomic Structure and Nuclear Chemistry; Periodicity; Chemical Bonding; Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry; States of Matter, Kinetic Molecular Theory, and Thermochemistry; Solutions, Rates of Reaction, and Equilibrium; and Acids and Bases and Oxidation-Reduction Reactions. Laboratory investigations rely on qualitative and quantitative analysis. Laboratory skills are developed using traditional lab equipment and computer probes. Inquiry-based laboratory instruction requires students to be independent learners who can create experiments with minimal direction from the instructor. This course will focus on the major theories and concepts in Chemistry. The science of matter and how it interacts will be explored through lecture, demonstrations, readings, and laboratory work. By the end of this course, you will have an understanding of the composition of matter, how matter is categorized, how matter interacts, the Atomic Theory throughout history, the signs, and causes of chemical reactions, and the properties and structure of matter. Furthermore, this course will allow you to improve upon your problem-solving skills and to begin to connect your schoolwork with the real world.

Students will recognize the nature and scope of physics, including its relationship to the other sciences. Students learn about basic topics such as motion, forces, energy, heat, waves, electricity, and magnetism. They learn about natural phenomena by using physical laws to calculate quantities such as velocity, acceleration, momentum, and energy. Students of introductory physics learn about the relationships between motion and forces through Newton’s laws of motion. They study the difference between vector and scalar quantities and learn how to solve basic problems involving these quantities. Students learn about conservation of energy and momentum and how these are applied to everyday situations. They learn about heat and how thermal energy is transferred throughout the different phases of matter. Students extend their knowledge of waves and how they carry energy. Students gain a better understanding of electric current, voltage, and resistance by learning about Ohm’s law. They also gain knowledge about the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of wavelength and frequency.

This course is designed to immerse students in the physical, biological, and earth systems sciences that shape our environment. Scientific concepts, principles, and modern science practices will allow students to analyze environmental issues, both natural and anthropogenic, and engage in evidence-based decision making in real-world contexts.

This course provides an introduction to the topics of criminology within the field of forensic science. The study includes the applications of concepts from the areas of biology, chemistry, physics, and geology to analyze and investigate evidence that may be discovered in a criminal investigation. Classroom activities include experiments, projects, case studies and the incorporation of technology.This course provides an introduction to the topics of criminology within the field of forensic science. The study includes the applications of concepts from the areas of biology, chemistry, physics, and geology to analyze and investigate evidence that may be discovered in a criminal investigation. Classroom activities include experiments, projects, case studies and the incorporation of technology.

Zoology is the study of animals. During the year this course will provide students with a comprehensive overview of 9 main animal phyla: Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida, arthropods, Echinodermata, Mollusca, and Chordata. Students will learn about the classification system for animals and the key characteristics of the different types of animals including body symmetry, mode of reproduction, internal anatomy, and skeletal system. This course will help students make connections about how animals interact with each other and their environments and their effect on the greater ecosystem. Students will demonstrate their knowledge through presentations, projects, and research papers.

Biotechnology is designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to the scientific concepts and laboratory research techniques currently used in the field of biotechnology. In this course, students attain knowledge about the field of biotechnology and deeper understanding of the biological concepts used. In addition, students further develop the laboratory, critical thinking, and communication skills currently used in the biotechnology industry, including the use of a laminar flow hood while learning the principles of plant tissue culture. Furthermore, students will explore and evaluate career opportunities in the field of biotechnology through extensive readings, laboratory experiments, class discussions, research projects, guest speakers, and workplace visits. The objectives covered in this course are both academic and technical in nature and are presented in a progressively rigorous manner.

Anatomy is the study of body structures and physiology is the study of how those structures function. This course will teach students both the parts of the human body as well as the function of the various tissues and organs. Students will learn about body systems at different levels of organization (tissue, organ, organ system) and learn how different body systems interact to maintain homeostasis. As part of this course, students will participate in a dissection that will allow them to identify organs and make connections to their functions.

Electronics and Programming is a beginner’s overview of the use of electronics. Through this course, students will learn about the theories and concepts of electronics, as well as the fundamentals of programming, and their place in history and society. At the end of the course, participants will have produced prototypes of controllers and receptors based on the Arduino microprocessor in order to accomplish various tasks related to sensing and actuating, including:

sequentially illuminating light emitting diodes (LED),
acquiring data from different sensors such as – temperature, humidity, tilt, vibration, infrared, ultrasonic, motion.
controlling servo and stepper, motors,
simulating real-world applications of electronics.

In this hands-on course, students will be using the open source hardware and software from Arduino. The Arduino software is written in Java, but the language is a set of C/C++ commands. The course is designed to expose students to engineering design and troubleshooting techniques that are used in the electronics and programming fields.

In Technology & Engineering, high school students relate concepts and principles they have learned in science with knowledge gained in the study of technology/engineering. For example, a well-rounded understanding of energy and power equips students to tackle such issues as the ongoing problems associated with energy supply and energy conservation. Students pursue engineering questions and technological solutions that emphasize research and problem-solving. They achieve a more advanced level of skill in engineering design by learning how to conceptualize a problem, develop possible solutions, design and build prototypes or models, test the prototypes or models, and make modifications as necessary. Throughout the process of engineering design, high school students are able to work safely with hand and/or power tools, various materials and equipment, and other resources.

The integration of Earth and space, life, and physical sciences with technology/engineering gives grade 6 students relevant and engaging opportunities with natural phenomena and design problems that highlight the relationship of structure and function in the world around them. Students relate to structure and function through analyzing the macro and microscopic worlds, such as Earth features and processes, the role of cells and anatomy in supporting living organisms, and properties of materials and waves. Students use models and provide evidence to make claims and explanations about structure-function relationships in different science and technology/engineering domains.

Students in grade 7 focus on systems and cycles using their understanding of structures and functions, connections and relationships in systems, and flow of matter and energy developed in earlier grades. A focus on systems requires students to apply concepts and skills across disciplines since most natural and designed systems and cycles are complex and interactive. They gain experience with plate tectonics, dynamics, motion and energy systems, and key technological systems used by society. Through grade 7 students begin a process of moving from a more concrete to an abstract perspective since many of the systems and cycles studied are not directly observable or experienced. this also creates a foundation for exploring cause and effect relationships in more depth in grade 8.

Grade 8 students use more robust abstract thinking skills to explain causes of complex phenomena and systems. Many causes are not immediately or physically visible to students. An understanding of cause and effect of key natural phenomena and designed processes allows students to explain patterns and make predictions about future events. In grade 8, these include, for example, causes of seasons and tides, causes of plate tectonics and weather or climate, the role of genetics in reproduction, heredity, and artificial selection, and how atoms and molecules interact to explain the substances that make up the world and how materials change. Being able to analyze phenomena for evidence of causes and processes that often cannot be seen, and being able to conceptualize and describe those, is a significant outcome for grade 8 students.