Subject Philosophy
Science and innovation have always been a driving force for human progress and the modern world is becoming increasingly shaped by science and technology. Personal and societal issues ranging from health care to environmental stewardship to infrastructure, require global citizens to make informed decisions and solve problems based on their understanding of science and technology.
The Science department believes that a high-quality science education cultivates students’ curiosity and provides students with the scientific and technological skills that scientists and engineers use everyday. The scientific investigation and thinking practices include:
- Asking questions and defining problems
- Developing and using models
- Planning and carrying out investigations
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Using mathematics and computational thinking
- Constructing explanations and designing solutions
- Engaging in argument from evidence and
- Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information.
Core science courses are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and aim to engage students in the core ideas through the integration of science and engineering practices while making connections to the crosscutting concepts.
The Science department values student choice and provides multiple pathways for courses based on interest. Students may choose to take earth and space science, biology, chemistry and physics in any order, provided they meet the prerequisites. Introductory core courses are taken before any of the Advanced Placement (AP) courses in a particular discipline. A minimum of two credits of science is required during the student’s high school career. One of these must be a full year of biology, and the other must be a full year of physical science, which includes earth and space science, chemistry or physics. It is recommended that students to take more than two credits in science before graduation.
Mapping the Science Program