Science 8
This course offers a more in-depth look at physical sciences, such as chemistry, physics, and astronomy. The students will review the nature of science and the steps of the scientific method. The students will then learn what matter is and will review its phases. They will learn about elements and atoms, including the structure and organization of atoms. The students will then learn how and why atoms join together to form compounds and molecules. They will then learn the differences between mixtures and solutions and how a solution can be described. The students will then learn about the different types of chemical reactions that can occur. Radioactivity and radioactive isotopes will be explored so that the students will learn what they are and how radioactive exposure is changed by distance and time. The students will then learn about the different types of energy and how energy can be transformed from one type to another. They will explore work and simple machines, along with forces and motion. The students will learn about the properties of magnetism and electricity and how they relate. The differences between temperature and heat will be explained while the students learn how heat travels. Students will also learn about the nature of light and why some materials absorb light while others do not. They will review the process of photosynthesis, including how the process came to be understood by scientists. Finally, the students will learn about the universe, including the stars, the Sun, and theories of the origin of the universe.
Living Environment
In the Living Environment course, we begin the year exploring the nature of science. That is, we explore the scientific method, measurement, and the means of proper scientific writing. As we advance, students will examine Earth's living and non-living entities. Starting with the most basic unit of life, the cell, we closely examine what it means to be alive and how organisms interact with their environments. As we close out the course, students will use their acquired knowledge of biology, learning knowledge relevant to the human body and our environmental impacts.
Earth Science
This course examines the Earth as a system within itself and as a part of the solar system, the Milky Way Galaxy, and the Universe in which the Earth exists. The abiotic and biotic realms and their interactions will be considered within the Earth. The history of the Earth's over 4.6 billion years of development will be studied to determine the changes that have resulted in the planet humans inhabit in the present. This will be a science course using the principles of scientific ways of knowing the Earth and its environs in all these areas.
Chemistry
Chemistry is an introductory course preparing the student for further studies in chemistry in college. It is directed toward explaining the composition of matter. Emphasis is placed on chemical principles and their application, problem-solving, and the development of laboratory skills. Prerequisite: Successful completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II and passing living environment or Earth Science Regents.
Physics
This course is a survey of major concepts, methods, and applications of physics. Topics include a description of motion, Newton's Laws, conservation principles (energy and momentum), waves, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Prerequisite: Because physics and mathematics are connected, students must have a strong background in Algebra I and Algebra II and a sound understanding of problem-solving to do well in physics.
Computer Science
