Grade 9 Entry: The recommendation for Geometry Honors (although students can choose to be enrolled in Geometry), and recommendation of Grade 8 Science teacher (includes Grade Level Expectations/report card grades).
Grade 10+ Entry: The successful completion of, or concurrent enrollment in Geometry or Geometry Honors, a grade of B+ in Biology or a grade of B in Honors Biology or departmental recommendation.
Chemistry Honors is an introductory course that explores atomic structure, patterns in the periodic table, bonding, reactions, quantitative chemistry, thermochemistry, rates and equilibrium. Student capacity for independent problem solving, mathematical reasoning and higher-level critical thinking is expected. Perseverance in study habits and having a genuine interest in chemistry is needed. The scope of this course includes Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) HS-PS1-1 to HS-PS1-7, HS-PS2-6, HS-PS3-1 to HS-PS3-4 and include a deeper extension of topics at a faster pace.
Students will:
- Develop an understanding of the major themes in chemistry: patterns, cause and effect, energy, structure and function, stability and change and proportions.
- Model chemical principles and events, use mathematics to solve problems, ask and refine scientific questions, design experiments, analyze and interpret data, justify claims with evidence, and present scientific arguments based on experimental results.
- Develop an appreciation of the chemical principles in everyday life.
The course will include core unit formative/summative assessments. Understanding of concepts will be developed through collaborative lab experiences, tests and projects. Student learning in these situations will be assessed individually using the HS Grade Descriptors.