Prep School - Science
Department Overview
The purpose and design of the science program are based on the following premise: One's understanding and appreciation of the natural world are broadened and enhanced by a scientific perspective. To shape an informed, judicious group of young adults, it is essential that an in-depth, current look at the physical and biological sciences be provided, and that the body of content is connected to the experimental process. Therefore, we focus our efforts on producing students who are literate regarding the natural world and practiced in the scientific method. We teach them to think critically and prepare them to tackle college-level study.
We believe this is best achieved by providing comprehensive courses of study in the fundamental sciences that maximize full development of concepts and practical applications, while minimizing rapid digestion for the sake of standardized testing (Advanced Placement courses notwithstanding). We aim to instill an interest and enthusiasm for the scientific pursuit, transmitting the excitement and wonder we find in our fields and encouraging creative thought. We are mindful that our student body has various interests, learning styles, and strengths. Thus, we provide classes of different levels and choices in all disciplines, giving students of varying abilities the opportunity to become involved in science.
The Curriculum
Grades 7 - 8
Students in grades seven and eight engage in full-year courses as described below. At the minimum, students in grades nine through twelve are required to take Introductory Biology and one full year of physical science. Each course has a regular and an honors level. All students are encouraged to enroll in a science course, whether it be a full-year endeavor or a semester-long study, throughout their high school experience. Although the disciplines offered are unique and seemingly separate in content, sequential development of science writing and process skills supply essential links.
Grade 7 Introductory Physical Science: This study addresses the fundamental physical and chemical properties of matter. Students learn to distinguish among mixtures, elements, and compounds, and to recognize the underlying principles governing physical and chemical changes. Atomic theory is examined and applied as students learn their way around the Periodic Table of Elements. The second half of the year focuses entirely on the chemistry of matter. Topics include atomic bonding, types of chemical reactions, factors influencing reaction rates, and solution chemistry. In addition, students learn how to write a formal laboratory report, paying close attention to the purpose and intent of the various steps involved.
Grade 8 Earth Science: This course teaches students the fundamentals and interrelationships of the basic earth sciences. They focus on the materials comprising the solid Earth and the processes that control the changes it undergoes. From the study of rocks and minerals to the theory of plate tectonics and Earth history, the students are engaged in hands-on activities and investigations designed to complement classroom discussion and readings from the text. Written laboratory skills introduced in the seventh grade are enhanced and extended.
Grades 9 - 12
All ninth graders are assigned to Biology I, and it is recommended that they fulfill the physical science requirement the following year. Sophomores with a strong foundation in mathematics may wish to enroll in Physics I at this juncture; otherwise, Chemistry I is more suitable. Thereafter, students have input to their path through the various course selections. The most competitive and well-rounded approach would be to address each of the fundamental sciences in succession, then aim for acceptance in an Advanced Placement course. Students who prefer to take a less rigorous path have many interesting semester-long courses from which to choose.
Biology I: This laboratory course follows a sequential, molecular-evolutionary approach to the investigation of living things. Students take an in-depth look at cells as the basic unit of life, focusing on the details of cellular structures, functions, and processes. They then apply their grasp to explore the principles of genetics. An appreciation for the diversity of life is developed through examination of the historic and modern views of evolutionary theory, which leads to a survey of the five kingdoms. Human anatomy and physiology are explored to the appropriate level.
Chemistry I: This course introduces the student to the major topics in chemistry and helps develop the ability to perceive abstract and quantitative relationships. The following topics are covered in the order specified: atomic structure, the names and formulas of compounds, the mole and chemical equations, heat of reaction, the states of matter, the arrangement of electrons in atoms, the periodic table and chemical periodicity, bonding, solutions, kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, and electrochemistry. This is a laboratory course.
Physics I: This is a survey of classical and modern mechanics, beginning with Newton's laws, special relativity thermodynamics, and quantum theory. The second semester completes the general survey by examining major elements of the classical and modern theory of fields, including oscillations and waves, electromagnetism, optics, general relativity, and particle physics. Conceptual understanding and analytical thinking are stressed in both the approach to the material, as well as in the extensive hands-on laboratory work.
Science Research: The Research Course is a three-year program designed to introduce selected students to the demands and satisfactions of rigorous scientific and mathematical experimentation. In the sophomore year, students choose and explore a topic of personal interest, read appropriate literature, define an experimental project, and seek the guidance of a mentor from within the community of practitioners. The junior year is spent refining the experimental protocol, collecting data, and solidifying the collaborative relationship with mentors. In the final year, seniors analyze data, summarize findings with charts and graphs, and present their research in public forums of scientific symposia and competitions, both within and outside of the school community. Students apply for admission to the course at the end of grade nine, and those accepted begin work in grade ten. Science Research is generally taken in concurrence with other required and elective science courses.