Science Department

The human population must turn to alternative energy resources to ensure there is enough energy for the future.

The human population must turn to alternative energy resources to ensure there is enough energy for the future.

The presence of atmosphere makes it possible for life to exist on Earth

Interference of the atmosphere and its composition can lead to changes.

People must reduce the amount of solid waste produced in order to maintain the quality of our environment.

Even with the water cycle, water is a limited resource and needs to be monitored and handled with care.

Aquatic ecosystems add to the diversity of life on earth.

A variety of sustainable agricultural processes are necessary to sustain life for future world populations.

Living things have similar characteristics. There are major organizational levels in biology. Science is learned through investigative and inquiry processes.

Students will solve real world situations using surface area and volume of 3-dimensional figures including composite solids.

Cells are the basic units of structure and function for life.

Cells maintain homeostasis by moving materials across the cell membrane.

Life is dependent upon the transfer of matter and energy through chemical reactions

The processes of mitosis and meiosis are the mechanisms for the reproduction of somatic cells and gametes.

DNA contains genes which hold the instructions for life.

The continuity of life is maintained by passing of chemical substances from one generation to another in predictable patterns. Human traits are a result of genes passed on by parents and chromosomal arrangement.

Scientific knowledge and technology can be used to solve problems pertaining to lif

Evolution is a fundamental theme in biology that links genetics, molecular biology, reproduction, anatomy, and classification.

Living things have similar characteristics. There are major organizational levels in biology. Science is learned through investigative and inquiry processes.

All living things are composed of chemical compounds. Energy used by organisms is dependent on the structure of chemical compounds found in all living things.

Cells are the basic units of structure and function for life.

Cells maintain homeostasis by moving materials across the cell membrane

Life is dependent upon the transfer of matter and energy through chemical reactions

The processes of mitosis and meiosis are the mechanisms for the reproduction of somatic cells and gametes.

DNA contains genes which hold the instructions for life.

The continuity of life is maintained by passing of chemical substances from one generation to another in predictable patterns. Human traits are a result of genes passed on by parents and chromosomal arrangement.

Scientific knowledge and technology can be used to solve problems pertaining to life

Evolution is a fundamental theme in biology that links genetics, molecular biology, reproduction, anatomy, and classification.

The success of a species is dependent upon its interactions with the biotic and abiotic components of its ecosystem.

Measurements, data and calculations must be expressed in proper units and rounded to the correct number of significant figures.

Students will learn to do calculations involving half-lives and write nuclear equations to represent nuclear transformations and electron configurations.

Ionic compounds are formed between metallic and nonmetallic elements. In ionic compounds, electrons are given from one atom to another. Molecular compounds are formed from nonmetallic elements. In molecular compounds, electrons are shared between atoms.

Students will learn how to distinguish between ionic and covalent formulas and name them appropriately.

As matter is neither created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction, the number of atoms of each element involved in the reaction must be conserved. We express this by balancing - using whole number coefficients to multiply the formulas of reactants and/or products until the number of atoms of each element present as a reactant is equal to the number of those atoms present within the products. There are five basic types of chemical reactions which may be identified by comparison and contrast against an established pattern of atom rearrangements.

The mole is used to convert between mass, volume and number of particles and to determine the molarity of a solution. Percent composition can be used to identify a compound’s empirical and molecular formulas.

Students will be able to use stoichiometry to convert between moles, mass, volume and number of particles for substances in a balanced chemical equation and then use this idea to predict limiting reactants percent yields for a reaction.

Students will be able to use the kinetic molecular theory of matter in order to explain the characteristics of an ideal gas; and, use the 5 equations collectively known as the “gas laws” to solve problems regarding the amount, pressure, temperature, and volume of a sample of gas.

Measurements, data and calculations must be expressed in proper units and rounded to the correct number of significant figures.

Students will learn to do calculations involving half-lives and write nuclear equations to represent nuclear transformations and electron configurations.

Ionic compounds are formed between metallic and nonmetallic elements. In ionic compounds, electrons are given from one atom to another. Molecular compounds are formed from nonmetallic elements. In molecular compounds, electrons are shared between atoms.

Students will learn how to distinguish between ionic and covalent formulas and name them appropriately.

The mole is used to convert between mass, volume and number of particles and to determine the molarity of a solution. Percent composition can be used to identify a compound’s empirical and molecular formulas.

As matter is neither created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction, the number of atoms of each element involved in the reaction must be conserved. We express this by balancing - using whole number coefficients to multiply the formulas of reactants and/or products until the number of atoms of each element present as a reactant is equal to the number of those atoms present within the products. There are five basic types of chemical reactions which may be identified by comparison and contrast against an established pattern of atom rearrangements.

Students will be able to use stoichiometry to convert between moles, mass, volume and number of particles for substances in a balanced chemical equation and then use this idea to predict limiting reactants percent yields for a reaction.

Students will be able to use the kinetic molecular theory of matter in order to explain the characteristics of an ideal gas; and, use the 5 equations collectively known as the “gas laws” to solve problems regarding the amount, pressure, temperature, and volume of a sample of gas.

Classification systems group organisms based on structural similarities, biochemical similarities and evolutionary relationships.

Bacteria are the most numerous organisms on Earth, as well as the most ancient, and contribute to our human society.

A virus is a non-cellular particle made up of genetic material and proteins that can invade and reproduce in living cells.

Kingdom Protista includes a diverse collection of eukaryotic organisms that lack tissue differentiation, but can carry out all life processes within a single cell.

Kingdom Fungi includes eukaryotic organisms with unique structures, reproduction, methods of obtaining nutrients.

Kingdom Animalia includes heterotrophic, multicellular, eukaryotic organisms with unique body plans well adapted to their niche.

The process of embryological development creates layers of specialized cells or tissues from a single fertilized egg. Flatworms, roundworms, and segmented worms exhibit cephalization, bilateral symmetry, and increasing complexity in body structure.

Mollusks and echinoderms each have a common body plan, which has been adapted to a variety of lifestyles in diverse habitats.

Arthropods are the most diverse phylum with a body plan adapted to a wide variety of habitats and lifestyles.

Plants evolved from water dwelling algae. Their many adaptations to structure and life cycle have allowed them to thrive in almost every terrestrial habitat on Earth.

Chordates are distinguished by a dorsal nerve cord, notochord, and postanal tail. In vertebrates, the notochord is replaced by a vertebrate that surround the dorsal nerve. Vertebrates have shown many modifications to digestive, skeletal, respiratory, and circulatory systems as they have adapted to a wide variety of habitats.

Human anatomy and physiology are the studies of the human body and how it works.

Complex organisms are composed of cells organized into tissues, which associate, assemble, and interact to form organs that have specialized functions.

Skin is organized in layers that protect the body and regulate temperature.

Bones are composed of both living and nonliving materials that are essential for protecting and supporting the body.

The muscular system provides humans with locomotion and also functions in maintenance of various voluntary and involuntary actions.

The nervous system is a communication network of cells that sends and receives messages, makes decisions, stimulates muscles and glands, and maintains homeostasis.

The senses provide information about what is happening in the world outside and inside the body and distinguish between a wide variety of stimuli present in your environment.

The endocrine system provides chemical control of local and distant target organs to maintain homeostasis.

The cardiovascular system regulates and transports a complex aqueous mixture that transports waste & nutrients systemically and locally by various means.

The lymphatic system is a vast collection of cells and biochemicals that travel in lymphatic vessels and function in returning interstitial fluids to the blood stream, lipid absorption, and defense against disease.

Acquiring the nutrients necessary for life functions requires a complex system to digest food, absorb nutrients and expel waste.

The respiratory system brings in oxygen to support aerobic production of ATP and eliminates carbon dioxide to maintain homeostasis.

The kidneys excrete exactly the right amounts of materials taken in to ensure that the composition and even the total volume of body fluids stay in a range compatible with life in order to maintain the internal environment.

The reproductive organs and glands secrete hormones vital to: the development and maintenance of secondary sex characteristics, the regulation of reproductive functions, the production and nurturing of sex cells, and the transportation of gametes to sites of fertilization.

The close relationship between events on Earth and the positions of heavenly bodies has been and continues to be observable.

Earth is part of a larger system and our system is part of the larger universe.

The science of light is how we learn about distant objects.

The universe is vast and dynamic.

Earth’s origin and structure dictate its function as a system.

Earth’s natural history has been recorded in the geologic time scale

Plate tectonics is the mechanism for both catastrophic and gradual change.

The Rock Cycle demonstrates Earth as a constantly changing system.

Earth’s resources have many properties that have economic value to humans.

The earth’s atmosphere is in a constant state of change, especially in terms of heat energy.

The earth’s hydrosphere is in a constant state of change, especially in terms of water, its forms, and the water cycle.

Differences in air pressure create winds and weather patterns both locally and globally.

Different air masses interact to create both daily sensible weather and severe weather.

Planet Earth is divided by various climatic zones, and these regions are defined by their native vegetation and have changed slowly over geologic time.

STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. Students will identify a problem and work toward finding a solution.

Science skills necessary for success in physics class.

Students will be able to interpret data through graphical analysis, and learn to distinguish the concepts of linear motion (displacement, velocity & acceleration).

Students will be able to interpret data through a variety of means and to make predictions about linear motion.

Newton’s laws of motion provide a framework for understanding and predicting the behavior of objects in motion.

Vectors and trigonometry can be used to extend Newton’s laws of motion to 2-dimensional space.

The principles of motion (mechanics) can be used to make real-world prediction.

Momentum is a useful concept for determining the behavior of interacting objects.

The concept of work can be applied in various ways to improve our lives.

Students will be able to describe and predict the behavior of waves corresponding to, and independent of, simple harmonic motion.

Fundamental Forces are the source of all interactions.

The concept of work can be applied in various ways to improve our lives.

EM waves are similar but fundamentally different from mechanical waves such as sound, and their behavior is utilized to make modern life possible.

Newton’s laws of gravity correctly describe and predict the behavior of behavior of celestial objects.

Measurements, data and calculations must be expressed in proper units and rounded to the correct number of significant figures.

Ionic compounds are formed between metallic and nonmetallic elements. In ionic compounds, electrons are given from one atom to another. Molecular compounds are formed from nonmetallic elements. In molecular compounds, electrons are shared between atoms.

Molecules have distinct 3-dimensional arrangements. Compounds can have more than 1 arrangement or isomers.

The functional groups present affect the properties of a compound. There is a specific set of rules for naming a chemical compound.

The functional groups present affect the properties of a compound. There is a specific set of rules for naming a chemical compound.

Real molecules are 3-dimensional and the arrangement in space affects the chemical properties and behaviors. There are a specific set of rules for naming 3-dimensional compounds.

The interaction between molecules involves the transfer of electrons. The specific order of electron movement determines the type of mechanism

The interaction between molecules involves the transfer of electrons. The specific order of electron movement determines the type of mechanism.

The interaction between molecules involves the transfer of electrons. The specific order of electron movement determines the type of mechanism.

The functional groups present affect the properties of a compound. There is a specific set of rules for naming a chemical compound.

The functional groups present affect the properties of a compound. There is a specific set of rules for naming a chemical compound.

The functional groups present affect the properties of a compound. There is a specific set of rules for naming a chemical compound.

The functional groups present affect the properties of a compound. There is a specific set of rules for naming a chemical compound.

The functional groups present affect the properties of a compound. There is a specific set of rules for naming a chemical compound.

The functional groups present affect the associated spectra of a compound. There is a specific set of rules for naming a chemical compound.

Living things have similar characteristics. There are major organizational levels in biology. Science is learned through investigative and inquiry processes.

All living things are composed of chemical compounds. Energy used by organisms is dependent on the structure of chemical compounds found in all living things.

Cells are the basic units of structure and function for life.

Life is dependent upon the transfer of matter and energy through chemical reactions.

The processes of mitosis and meiosis are the mechanisms for the reproduction of somatic cells and gametes.

The continuity of life is maintained by passing of chemical substances from one generation to another in predictable patterns. Human traits are a result of genes passed on by parents and chromosomal arrangement.

Scientific knowledge and technology can be used to solve problems pertaining to life.

DNA contains genes which hold the instructions for life.

Evolution is a fundamental theme in biology that links genetics, molecular biology, reproduction, anatomy, and classification.

Understand how the structural and functional features of the animal kingdom indicate evolutionary trends.

Understand the structure and function of each of the systems in the human body. Understand how the systems within the human body interact to maintain homeostasis.

Plant structure contributes to function. Plants form the basis of almost all food webs, so they are a critical factor in communities.

Species interactions and environmental factors affect population size.

Matter can be classified by its characteristics and properties and quantitative and qualitative descriptions can be made. The Metric System is used for measurement and uncertainty and is governed by significant figures. Dimensional analysis is used to convert measurements.

The atom is made up of the subatomic particles protons, neutrons and electrons. The nuclide symbol communicates useful information about an atom such as: atomic number, atomic mass, charge, symbol and isotope.

The most important and thorough assembling of data in the scientific world is the periodic table and it is graphic representation of periodicity of the natural world.

Nomenclature is the systemic rules for naming compounds including inorganic, ionic, covalent, organic and common compounds.

Reactions are characterized by the changes that occur and can be divided into four categories: combination, decomposition, single replacement and double replacement. Oxidation-reduction (REDOX) reactions involve the transfer of electrons. Concentration can be express in terms of molarity and molality.

The atom is governed by both the particle and wave theories of light and includes electrons and photons. Particle theory explains atomic structure and includes photons and electrons. Wave theory explains wavelength, frequency, line spectra, Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, quantum numbers electron configuration and orbital diagrams.

Bonding is a descriptive property occurring between atoms and can be classified as ionic, covalent or metallic. Lewis dot structures are a shorthand way of showing the bonding. Electronegativity and bond polarity are descriptive properties in an individual bond. Resonance determines the stability of a molecule. The shape of a molecule is determined by the valence shell electron pair repulsion that occurs and includes linear, trigonal planar, square planar, tetrahedral, trigonal pyramidal, angular, seesaw and T-shaped. Hybridization also explains bonding.

Kinetic energy, the energy of motion, and enthalpy, the energy contained in bonds, are main types of energy in chemistry and are governed by the First Law of Thermodynamics which states the energy cannot be created nor destroyed just transferred from one form to another. Calorimetry is the study of heat changes in chemical systems and can be calculated using Hess’s Law.

Kinetic-Molecular theory is responsible for the macroscopic properties of gases. Gases are affected by a unique set of conditions and governed by the ideal gas equation, individual gas law equations, Dalton’s law of partial pressures and effusion and diffusion equations.

Intermolecular forces play an important role in determining the physical state of a substance and include London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces, hydrogen bonding and ion-dipole forces. Phase diagrams are graphic representation of the equilibria between gaseous, liquid and solid phases.

Solutions can be classified as unsaturated, saturated, or supersaturated. There are many factors affecting solubility such as temperature, pressure and concentration. Concentration is measured by mole fraction, molarity or molality. Colligative properties affect the vapor pressure, boiling point, freezing point and osmotic pressure of substances.

Kinetics is the study of the rates of reactions can be influenced by many factors. Rate laws can be determined for individual reactions and can be 0th order, 1st quarter, or 2nd order.

Reactions reach a dynamic state called equilibrium. The equilibrium constant is of value to measure of a reaction’s ability to reach equilibrium can be calculated for a unique set of conditions between reactants and products. Equilibrium can be established between homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria.

The percent hydrogen ion concentration is called pH. Acids are proton donors bases are proton acceptors. Strong acids and bases fully dissociate. Weak acids and bases only partially ionize. Acidbase titrations can be used to determine the pH of a reaction at any point.

The solubility product constant is a measure of the solubility of a solution. Solubility is influenced by the common ion effect, buffers and governed by Le Chatelier’s Principal.

Voltaic cells produce electricity spontaneously. Oxidation occurs at the anode; and reduction occurs at the cathode. Batteries and fuel cells can store energy. Corrosion is a spontaneous electrical process. Nonspontaneous reactions are called electrolysis.

Identify the efforts and challenges involved in the conservation of biodiversity.

Explain how and why populations change over time.

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of extracting and using our natural resources.

Explain how the human actions cause changes in the functioning of our atmosphere.

Explain the importance of soils to agriculture.

Water is a limited resource and needs to be handled with care.

People must reduce the amount of solid waste produced in order to maintain the quality of our environment.

Express the motion of an object using narrative, mathematical, and graphical representations.

2-D motion can be described quantitatively with horizontal and vertical components.

Represent forces in force diagrams or mathematically using Newton’s Laws and appropriately labeled vectors with magnitude and direction.

Use Newton’s 2nd law and the Law of Gravitation to calculate the centripetal force governing circular motion.

Predict changes in the total energy of a system due to changes in position and speed of objects or frictional interactions within the system. Also apply the concepts of conservation of energy and the work-energy theorem to determine qualitatively and/or quantitatively that work done on a two-object system in linear motion will change the kinetic energy and the potential energy of the system.

Calculate the change in linear momentum of a two-object system from a representation of the system (data, graphs, etc.) with respect to elastic and inelastic collisions.

Use Coulomb’s law qualitatively and quantitatively to make predictions about the interaction between two electric point charges. Choose and justify the selection of data needed to determine resistivity for a given material. Construct or interpret a graph of the energy changes within an electrical circuit with only a single battery and resistors in series and/or in, at most, one parallel branch as an application of the conservation of energy. Use a description or schematic diagram of an electrical circuit to calculate unknown values of current in various segments or branches of the circuit. Apply conservation of electric charge (Kirchhoff’s junction rule) to the comparison of electric current in various segments of an electrical circuit with a single battery and resistors in series and in, at most, one parallel branch and predict how those values would change if configurations of the circuit are changed.

Students will be able to explain the charging of objects by contact and induction using electroscopes. Students will be able apply the superposition principle to calculate the net force on a charge object from the presence one or more other point charges. Students will be able to apply the superposition principle to calculate the net Electric field at a point from the presence of one or more other point charges.

Students will be able to calculate the resistance of a wire based on its length, diameter, and temperature. Students will be able to find the equivalent resistance of a complex network with series and parallel branches. Students will be able to analysis complex networks with multiple power supplies using Kichoff circuit rules.

Students will be able to apply the superposition principle to calculate the magnetic field at a point a distance r from a moving charge on set of currents. Students will be able to calculate the magnetic flux generated by an AC current. Students will be able to explain mutual induction, self-induction, and how transformers, motors, and generators operate.

Students will be able to explain the direction of heat flow and types of heat transfer. Students will be able to apply the first law of thermodynamics to heat engines, heat pumps, refrigerators, and air conditioners. Students will be able to explain the connection between entropy and the second law of thermodynamics.

Students will be able to differentiate between atmospheric pressure and gauge pressure. Students will be able to apply Pascal’s Principle to static fluid problems. Students will be able to apply Bernoulli’s Principle to dynamic fluid problems.

Students will be able to use ray tracing to explain image formation with plane and spherical mirrors. Students will be able to apply Snell’s Law to thin lens theory. Student will able to use ray tracing to predict image formation of thin lenses of various shapes.

Students will be able to describe the basic components of the electromagnetic spectrum. Students will be able to apply the wave nature of light to predict the behavior of light passing through a thin slit, double slit, or diffraction grating. Students will be able to apply the basic postulates of special relativity to time dilation, length contraction, and relativistic mass. Students will be able to achieve a basic understanding of the quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, and radioactivity.