The science program is composed of courses that support the Science Standards of Learning. All science courses are structured to present a strong content base with an experimental design approach to develop and to promote scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills. The integration of technology and the utilization of the discovery model of instruction compose approximately 50% of each course. The science disciplines include Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Earth science, biology, and chemistry are the three high school credit courses that require a state assessment. Included in the physics discipline is the two-year program Physics for Technology I and II. Students must complete both Physics for Technology I and II in sequence in order to receive an elective credit and a physics credit. Students should choose courses that meet graduation and college entrance requirements.

General Science 6 (41050000)

Standard of Learning End-of-Course Test: No
Course Description: In this course the concept of change is explored through the study of transformations of energy and matter both in living things and in the physical sciences. A more detailed understanding of weather and the solar system become a focus of instruction. Watershed systems and natural resource management and Secondary Student Catalog — 44
its relation to human interactions, public policy and cost/benefits are introduced. This course emphasizes discovery and scientific methodologies through laboratory investigations using experimental design.

 

Honors General Science 6 (4105H000)

Standard of Learning End-of-Course Test: No
Course Description: This course allows students to investigate the concept of change through the study of transformations of energy and matter both in living things and in the physical sciences. A more detailed understanding of weather and the solar system become a focus of instruction. Watershed systems and natural resource management and its relation to human interactions, public policy and cost/benefits are introduced.
Data analysis and experimentation are emphasized; differentiation through advanced content, complex tasks, and in-depth independent investigation are required. Students are challenged to think like scientists and to produce appropriate products by using scientific techniques and procedures to reinforce skills and expand student abilities through independent experimental design. Honors General Science students will be challenged to learn, research, utilizing both classroom experimentation and literature reviews from written and electronic resources, and present topics in science in greater depth. Completion of an investigative research project is an expectation of all Honors General Science students.

 

Life Science 7 (41150000)

Standard of Learning End-of-Course Test: No
Course Description: This discovery-based course emphasizes an understanding of change, cycle patterns, microscopic organisms, plants, animals, and ecology. Cellular organization and the classification of living things are also studied. Learning through investigation is a main focus of this course.

 

Honors Life Science 7 (4115H000)

Standard of Learning End-of-Course Test: No
Course Description: Honors Life Science 7 is a rigorous laboratory course, which emphasizes a complex understanding of change, cycles, patterns, and relationships in the living world. Students build on basic principles related to these concepts by exploring cellular organization and the classification of organisms; the dynamic relationships among organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems; and change as a result of the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation.
Data analysis and experimentation are emphasized; differentiation through advanced content, complex tasks, and in-depth independent investigations are required. Students are challenged to think like scientists and to reinforce skills and expand student abilities through the independent application of scientific concepts using experimental design procedures. Honors Life Science students will be challenged to learn, research, utilizing both classroom experimentation and literature reviews from written and electronic resources, and present topics in Life Science in greater depth. Completion of an investigative research project is an expectation of all Honors Life Science students.

 

Physical Science 8 (41250000)

Course Description: Introductory concepts of the nature and structure of matter as well as the characteristics of energy are studied. Considerable emphasis is placed on technological application and laboratory investigation of physical science principles.

 

Honors Physical Science 8 (4125H000)

Course Description: This laboratory course stresses an in-depth understanding of the nature and structure of matter and the characteristics of energy. Students are given responsibility to plan and to conduct research through classroom experimentation.
Students are challenged to use scientific techniques and procedures to reinforce skills and to apply physical science concepts by conducting appropriate independent experimental design products. Honors Physical Science students will be challenged to learn, to research, utilizing both classroom experimentation and literature reviews from written and electronic resources, and to present topics in Physical Science in greater depth. Completion of an investigative research project is an expectation of all Honors Physical Science students.