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Science Department Courses

Aeronautics / Pilot Training (SCI 426): Aeronautics is a Pilot Training Course. Students study Aviation History (past/present/future); Aerodynamics (theory of flight, aircraft structures, guidance and control, and propulsion); Environment (meteorology and weather); Navigation; Communications; Physiology; Regulations; and Careers in Aviation. Model airplanes, both free flight and radio-controlled, are flown by the students. Students practice flying various aircraft in the classroom Flight Simulators. Field trips, guest speakers and an extensive aviation library support student learning. Students may participate in numerous flying experiences as well as their first logbook flying lesson and a cross country flight. All flying experiences are free. The top students may receive a $1,000 Flight Scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded to the first four students to either pass a government Pilot Exam or Solo in an Airplane. To receive the Scholarship, students must state their intention to pursue a Pilot’s License. Scholarship funds go directly to a Flight Instructor/School. The teacher is a Commercial Pilot and a Flight Instructor.

Astronautics / Astronaut Training (SCI 427): Astronautics is an Astronaut Training Program. Students study the History of Space Exploration (past/present/future); Astrodynamics (theory of space flight, rocketry propulsion, guidance and control); Environment (astronomy); Living and Working in Space; and Careers in Space (on Earth and in Space). Model rockets, both free flight and radio-controlled are flown by the students. Examples include single and multi-stage rockets, rockets with still and video cameras, etc. Numerous experiments are designed and flown on student-built rockets. Students practice flying various types of spacecraft in the classroom Flight Simulators. Field trips, guest speakers, and an extensive space library support student learning. The teacher is a Graduate of Astronaut Training, NASA paid for his Doctorate and the Russian Space Program paid for his Cosmonaut/Astronaut Training.

Anatomy and Physiology: This is a one semester course that provides an introduction into the concepts covered in a one year course. Students examine the major organ systems of the human body and study the structure and function of each of these systems ad how they work together in the functioning of the human body. Students have the opportunity to study structure through the dissection of mammalian organs and the function through various simulation exercises.

Biology: Biology is a study of the living world. In this course, students begin with a study of the cell and end the year by studying the human body. Students have the opportunity to examine plant life, animal diversity, including in depth studies of the simplest animals to the most complex animals found on Earth, and a look at the ecological habitats where these organisms live. This biology course also involves units that cover the basic cellular processes of cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and genetics. Students have the opportunity to study all these principles through experimentation, inquiry, and independent study.

AP Biology: AP Biology is a course designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. The goal of this course is to help help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and gain an appreciation for science as a process. The primary emphasis in this course is developing an understanding of concepts and the examination of science as a process rather than memorizing terms and technical details. This course will focus on the eight major themes and topics as stated in the AP Biology Course Description. Of particular importance to this class and each topic that is covered, is the role of the modern theory of evolution. This theme will serve as the unifying theme across the entire scope of this class and at the end of each unit all material will be tied to this theory.

Forensics: Forensic science is a one semester course that is designed to introduce students to the application of science to the criminal and cilvil laws that are enforced by police agencies in the criminal justice system. Students have the opportunity to examine how forensic science encompasses all branches of science. Students learn how to examine physical evidence found in a crime science, examine DNA, question documents, examine prints, identify trace evidence and analyze serological data. This course is a very lab intensive course that provides students with the opportunities to apply critical thinking skills to solving crime investigations.

Physics: Physics is fun! Physics is the study of matter, energy, space and time. Its remarkable goal is to explain the behavior of the entire universe! (Naturally, we still have room for more progress and discovery before we achieve that goal.) Physics serves a foundation for engineering, pure sciences, and a great deal of common sense understanding.

AP and College Level Physics: This course covers Newtonian mechanics in sufficient detail to prepare the students to take the “AP Physics C Mechanics” examination. (Students may receive college credit by taking and passing the American College Board AP Physics) The course requires calculus. The level of required Calculus is not daunting, and students can be taking Calculus concurrently with this course. The class will employ hands-on discovery, (labs), guided discovery, (demonstrations), and old-fashioned study of the text.

Physics and Honors Physics: In Physics and Honors Physics students will acquire a vision of the boundaries of our knowledge and learn the basic elements of physics that offer a functional explanation of the world in which we live. We will cover mechanics of motion, momentum, energy, waves, and some electricity and magnetism. The class will employ hands-on discovery, (labs), guided discovery, (demonstrations), and old-fashioned study of the text. Our studies will not require the use of Calculus.
 

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