Science

This is an introductory course to human body structure and designed for students interested in the health and medical pathway. This course will examine body structure and function at the cellular, tissue, organ, and organ system levels with emphasis on normal anatomy and physiology throughout the course.

This laboratory course covers the development of biological concepts applicable to everyday living. Content includes the use of various methods of science and the study of cells, microbiology, plants, animals, genetics, physiology, and ecology. Emphasis is placed on laboratory work to encourage critical thinking. A variety of supplementary materials are used to stimulate and encourage students of varying abilities.

Advanced Placement Biology is a college level biology course which presents students with an in-depth study of all the major areas of biology. The curriculum is based on the topics included in the syllabus provided by the College Board. Through this course students are prepared to take the Advanced Placement Biology examination for which college credit may be awarded. Course content reflects the following three major topics: Molecules and Cells, Heredity and Evolution, and Organisms and Populations. A rigorous laboratory program is based on requirements in the College Board syllabus.

This is an introductory course to human body structure and designed for students interested in the health and medical pathway. This course will examine body structure and function at the cellular, tissue, organ, and organ system levels with emphasis on normal anatomy and physiology throughout the course. 

This course is designed to build on biological concepts that focus on how the structure and function of DNA are foundational to understanding multiple aspects of genes, inheritance, scientific development, and applications of genetics. Topics include molecular genetics, chromosomal genetics, genetics and human health, synthetic biology, and population genetics.

The course is designed to be an introduction to the important ideas of environmental science. Topics will be addressed on a conceptual level and will include scientific inquiry, the physical world, the living environment, resource conservation, and legal and civic responsibility. Laboratory and field experiences are an important component of this course and are designed to stimulate critical thinking as well as reinforce and expand content.

This course is a study of the fundamental concepts common to Earth Science to include geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. This is the first course of a two-part sequence and will include strategies to help students develop their skill in reading in the content area, study and organization, and interpretation of various forms of data. This course counts as a science credit for students seeking a Modified Standard Diploma. There is no end-of-course SOL examination. This course may also count as a laboratory science credit for the Standard Diploma, with credit accommodations, if followed by Earth Science, Part II, and the Earth Science SOL exam.

This course is a continued study of the fundamental concepts common to Earth Science to include greater depth of study in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. This is the second of a two-course sequence and will include strategies to help students continue to develop their skills in reading in the content area, study and organization, and interpretation of various forms of data. There is an end-of-course SOL Examination Students who complete this course and pass the Earth Science end-of-course SOL Examination will earn one verified science credit.

Earth Science is an introduction to geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. The course includes the formation of rocks and minerals, landforms and changes, interrelationships of the earth's interior, surface and land features, a study of the solar system, and cosmic phenomena. Laboratory experiences within these areas of study are provided.

This is an interdisciplinary course, with a focus on the environment and humans’ impact on our planet. Topics include scientific inquiry, the physical world, the living environment, resource conservation, and legal and civic responsibility. Laboratory and field experiences are an important component of this course and are designed to stimulate critical thinking as well as reinforce and expand content.

Advanced Placement Environmental Science is a college level course designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of biological concepts that include topics in cellular structure, metabolism, genetics, diversity of life, anatomy and physiology of organisms, and ecosystem organization and processes in an evolutionary context. The course will emphasize laboratory work involving quantitative data collection and analysis.

Teaches fundamental principles of physics. Covers mechanics, thermodynamics, wave phenomena, electricity, optics, magnetism, and selected topics in modern physics. Part I of II.

In Grade 6 Science, students explore the characteristics of their world, from the Earth’s placement in the solar system to the interactions of water, energy, air, and ecosystems on the Earth.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by asking questions and defining problems, planning, and carrying out investigations (using SI - International System of Units), interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data, constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations, developing and using models, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.

Students continue growth in understanding that explanations of nature are developed and tested using observation, experimentation, models, evidence, and systematic processes. The nature of science includes the concepts that scientific explanations are based of logical thinking, subject to evidence, consistent with different types of evidence, open to rational critique, and subject to change with new scientific evidence.

Students will investigate and understand that: •the solar system is organized and the various bodies in the solar system interact.

• there is a relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon.
• there are basic sources of energy, and that energy can be transformed.
• all matter is composed of atoms.
• water has unique physical properties and has a role in the natural and human-made environment.
• air has properties and that Earth’s atmosphere has structure and is dynamic.
• land and water have roles in watershed systems.
• humans impact the environment, and individuals can influence public policy decisions related to energy and the environment.

In Grade 7 Life Science, students will focus on the change, cycles, patterns, and relationships in the living world. In addition, the Life Science standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by asking questions and defining problems, planning, and carrying out investigations (using SI – International System of Units), interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data, constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations, developing and using models, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. Students may prepare for individual projects by working within a team to design a project around a shared interest.

Students will investigate and understand that:

• all living things are composed of one or more cells that support life processes, as described by the cell theory.
• there are levels of structural organization in living things.
• there are chemical processes of energy transfer which are important for life.
• biotic and abiotic factors affect an ecosystem.
• populations in a biological community interact and are interdependent.
• adaptations support an organism’s survival in an ecosystem.
• ecosystems, communities, populations, and organisms are dynamic and change over time.
• relationships exist between ecosystem dynamics and human activity.
• organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information to new generations.
• populations of organisms can change over time.

Grade 7 Science Intensified is a core course that adds more depth and complexity to student learning experiences and is open to all MS students. This course provides additional opportunities for students to engage in extended application and analysis designed to deepen understanding of outlined content based on increased ability to extrapolate information from novel concepts, employ the use of mathematical analysis, and engage in more intensive reading and writing opportunities. Students will use abstract, critical thinking approaches through inquiry-based projects focusing on the nature of science and the use of science and engineering skills as indicated by the Grade 7 Virginia Standards of Learning.

Students will focus on the change, cycles, patterns, and relationships in the living world. In addition, the Life Science standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science.

Students will demonstrate a more advanced understanding and application of scientific and engineering practices by asking questions and defining problems, planning, and carrying out investigations (using SI – International System of Units), interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data, constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations, developing and using models, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. Students may prepare for individual projects by working within a team to design a project around a shared interest.

Students will investigate and understand that:

• all living things are composed of one or more cells that support life processes, as described by the cell theory.
• there are levels of structural organization in living things.
• there are chemical processes of energy transfer which are important for life,
• biotic and abiotic factors affect an ecosystem.
• populations in a biological community interact and are interdependent.
• adaptations support an organism’s survival in an ecosystem.
• ecosystems, communities, populations, and organisms are dynamic and change over time.
• relationships exist between ecosystem dynamics and human activity.
• organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information to new generations.
• populations of organisms can change over time.

Grade 8 Science Intensified is a core course that adds more depth and complexity to student learning experiences and is open to all MS students. This course provides additional opportunities for students to engage in extended application and analysis designed to deepen understanding of outlined content based on increased ability to extrapolate information from novel concepts, employ the use of mathematical analysis, and engage in more intensive reading and writing opportunities. Students will use abstract, critical thinking approaches through inquiry-based projects focusing on the nature of science and the use of science and engineering skills as indicated by the Grade 8 Virginia Standards of Learning.

In this course, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the nature and structure of matter and the characteristics of energy. The Physical Science standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science.

Students will demonstrate a more advanced understanding and application of scientific and engineering practices by asking questions and defining problems, planning, and carrying out investigations, interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data, constructing, and critiquing conclusions and explanations, developing, and using models, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. In addition, students will complete an independent experimental or engineering design project.

Students will investigate and understand that:

• matter is composed of atoms.
• matter has properties and is conserved in chemical and physical processes.
• the periodic table is a model used to organize elements based on their atomic structure.
• energy is conserved.
• waves are important in the movement of energy.
• electromagnetic radiation has characteristics.
• work, force, and motion are related.
• there are basic principles of electricity and magnetism.

This course aims to prepare students for college-level work in biology. Topics covered include molecular biology, cytology, genetics, cell physiology, ecology, and a survey of the biological kingdoms. Extensive laboratory technique, experimentation, and analysis are emphasized. In addition, students will complete an independent experimental or engineering design project.

This course aims to prepare students for college-level work in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. The course includes the formation of rocks and minerals; landforms and changes; interrelationships of the earth’s interior, surface, and land features; a study of the solar system; and the life and death of stars. Laboratory techniques, experimentation, and analysis are emphasized. In addition, students will complete an independent experimental or engineering design project.

This course explores advanced physics topics and practices based around the Physics 2 VDOE curriculum and standards and includes Rotational motion, Fluids, Thermodynamics, Waves/Sounds, Physical and Geometric Optics, Modern Physics, AC Circuits, Introduction to Semiconductors. 

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is a calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in one of the physical sciences or engineering. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study and activities as well as hands-on laboratory work as they explore concepts like change, force interactions, fields, and conservation. 

The curriculum is based on the topics included in the syllabus provided by the College Board. Physics C, AP represents the first part of a university- level sequence in physics. Calculus is used to derive physical principles and to solve problems. A rigorous laboratory program is conducted that complements the advanced placement syllabus. This is a one-year version of the first half of AP Physics C, an in-depth study of Newtonian Mechanics. No concurrent laboratory course required.

These topics will provide students with the opportunity to conduct extensive laboratory investigations in several areas on environmental science. Field experiences combined with laboratory research will allow the students to learn about the environment through firsthand observations. Interdependence of earth systems, population dynamics, and renewable/nonrenewable resources will be covered the first semester. Environmental quality, global change, and environment and society will be covered the second semester.