Science


 

Environmental Science  •  Year

The Darrow campus and its surrounding community serve as classroom and laboratory for students in Environmental Science. Students conduct field and laboratory investigations, apply scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students study the interrelationships in the natural world including earth’s ecosystems, atmosphere, climate, soils, energy, water, populations, and natural resources. In this project based learning class students analyze environmental problems, examine solutions for resolving them, and present their results to authentic audiences. The unifying themes are the exploration of the intricate miracle that is this living planet and the potential for science to leverage positive change in the community.

 

Biology  •  Year

In Biology, students will examine the living world around them and its structures and processes. They will delve into scientific research and ask ‘How can I read and interpret scientific findings for myself? They will learn laboratory skills and create their own investigations. Students study a variety of topics that include: structures and functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms; cells, tissues, and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; biological evolution; taxonomy; metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms; living systems; and homeostasis. Students will identify how the processes of biology are interrelated and its significance to our daily lives.

 

Chemistry  •  Year

In Chemistry, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students study a variety of topics that include: characteristics of matter; energy transformations during physical and chemical changes; atomic structure; periodic table of elements; behavior of gases; bonding; nuclear fusion and nuclear fission; oxidation-reduction reactions; chemical equations; solutes; properties of solutions; acids and bases; and chemical reactions. Students will investigate how chemistry is an integral part of our daily lives.

 

Topics in Chemistry • Year

In Topics in Chemistry, students conduct laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students study a variety of topics that include: characteristics of matter; energy transformations during physical and chemical changes; atomic structure; periodic table of elements; behavior of gases; bonding; nuclear fusion and nuclear fission; oxidation-reduction reactions; chemical equations; solutes; properties of solutions; acids and bases; and chemical reactions. Students will investigate how chemistry is an integral part of our daily lives. This course will require some basic algebraic manipulation, but with less emphasis on quantitative algebraic work than in Chemistry, and will instead focus on the qualitative evaluation of chemical phenomena.

 

Physics  •  Year

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to play a sport on the moon? Or have you wanted to design a roller coaster ride? Physics allows you to understand how matter and energy interact so that you can meaningfully engage in exploring these questions and more. This class will be organized around a series of design challenges that will be based upon your growing knowledge of mechanics, acoustics, optics, other aspects of this science called physics. We will investigate these concepts of physics together and apply engineering practices to meet the goals of each challenge.

 

Robotics •  Fall

A robot is an embedded configuration of software and hardware designed to interact with its surroundings autonomously and or via human input. This includes everything from a vending machine to the Mars Exploration Rovers. Robotics is a hands-on introduction to the concepts and applications of robots. Students use Lego Mindstorms Robotics to develop computer programming logic and reasoning skills as they design, build, and program robots within an engineering context. Students work in teams to build a variety of fixed and mobile devices focused upon meeting the criteria of design challenges such as simulating a fire rescue or making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This class designed for students of any grade level and is open to students of all levels of experience.

 

Programming 1 •  Fall

Programming 1 is an introduction to computer science and programming. Students will learn the basics of variables, boolean operators, if-else statements, loops, arrays, and other key topics in programming. This course will be taught primarily in Python. Students will build their own programs and applications to solve various problems. The goal of this course is to have students take their first step into the world of computer science and programming. The skills students will learn from this course will be applicable to any number of future computer science courses or even in their own day-to-day lives. The basic ideas of computer programming are, in a sense, the basic rules of logic. The problem-solving skills learned in Programming 1 will have myriad applications in more than just STEM study.

*This course is cross-listed with Math. Students will need to choose which department to receive credit in.

 

Forensic Science •  Fall

A basic overview of forensic science, covering fingerprinting, observation, crime scene processing techniques, data collection, microscopic evidence analysis, blood analysis, footprints, and other areas of interest. Students will gain an understanding of forensic science terminology, techniques, and skills. Students will improve skills such as observation, microscope and slide handling, research, analysis, and critical thinking.

 

Mechanical Science • Spring

Have you ever wondered what’s inside the machines we use on a daily basis? Mechanical Science will allow you to access the inner workings of some basic tools and machines to gain a deeper understanding of how humans have engineered some elegant solutions to make our lives easier. We will learn to use simple hand tools as well as manual and electronic measuring instruments to take apart and put back together basic mechanical devices. We will focus on gears, motors, engines, and simple electronic circuits in devices to understand how these tools and machines function. Historical perspective will be gained through learning about Renaissance-era work with simple machines and we will use algebraic equations that allow us to calculate mechanical advantage based on these simple concepts. Lastly, we will focus on furthering our manual competency as we learn how to physically take something apart, problem-solving when we can’t immediately solve a problem in front of us, and good teamwork skills when a third or fourth hand, or second pair of eyes, is needed.

 

Programming 2 • Spring

This course will pick up where Programming 1 leaves off, with room for students to set their own curricula. We will study advanced programming techniques such as recursive functions and object-oriented programming. At a given point in the semester, each student will be given the opportunity to study an advanced programming technique or topic of their choosing. Some examples are: learning a new programming language, web programming, app development for iOS or Android, algorithms, database management, and others. The goal of this course is to further motivate students’ knowledge of programming and computer science. Students will be given the opportunity to learn new programming techniques and later study an area of computer science particularly interesting to them. This course will challenge students to learn problem solving and debugging skills. These skills will be useful for more students than only those interested in a future in computer science. Problem solving and critical thinking skills are imperative to all students, not just programming students. This course offers a unique way to learn those skills.

 *This course is cross-listed with Math. Students will need to choose which department to receive credit in.
 

 


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