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SCIENCE

Science Department: Statement of Purpose

Students are required to successfully complete three years of science to meet the high school
graduation requirement and will take a comprehensive state assessment in the spring of their junior year.
At a minimum, students must take (i) laboratory biology, (ii) laboratory chemistry, environmental science,
physics or physical science, and (iii) an additional lab/inquiry based science. The Science Department
does, however, urge students to continue beyond the three-year minimum to enhance their college and
career readiness, and to further understand how science and engineering contribute to meeting the many
challenges that confront society today.

It is the goal of the department to align our instruction to the Next Generation Science Standards that are
rich in content and practice, in order to help students become critical-thinkers as they deepen their
understanding of core scientific concepts. Engaging in the practices of science helps students develop
their scientific knowledge and utilize methods to investigate, model, and explain the world around them.
Engaging in the engineering practices, students identify problems and design solutions, as science and
engineering are linked. This process will encourage students’ curiosity and interest, and motivate their
continued study. Within the first year of high school, students should seek the guidance of the school
counselor to plan their science program, and discuss post-secondary options and college entrance
requirements.

Some full-year courses can be taken concurrently, depending on a student’s schedule, fulfillment of other
graduation requirements, grade point average and performance in prior science courses. Interested
students should speak with their school counselor about specific requirements, which will include teacher
recommendations and approval of the Science Department Supervisor, Director of Guidance, and
building Principal.

Insight and understanding of science is assisted by the use of mathematics as a tool. The advances in
science have paralleled the development of applied mathematics, and they have always been
interdependent. It is strongly recommended that mathematics and science coursework be coordinated
when selecting courses of study.

An Important Note: Regarding Science Courses and Physical Education:

Students taking a science course that requires a lab-- will be scheduled into their science

course one extra period per week. This extra period will be scheduled from their physical

education class. Thus, one day per week will be allotted for the science lab and the remaining

four days for physical education. In order to meet the state requirement for weekly physical

education and health, students who have two science labs per week must make-up one (1)

physical education class a week; 20 minutes per week, or 2 class periods per month.

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