Science is part of our everyday lives. If you have ever wondered why a morning is foggy, observed a spider weaving its web, or positioned your beach blanket according to the tides, you have experienced science. Through science classes, we attempt to provide understanding to the science around us. Our courses are aligned with the New York State Standards in the Core areas of Living Environment and the Physical Settings. Freshmen and Sophomores usually take Regents courses in Living Environment and Earth Science. Juniors and Seniors usually take Chemistry and Physics. We encourage talented students to undertake the challenges of AP courses. Science electives are also available for qualified students. Laboratory work is an integral part of all Science courses. Students taking Regents Science courses must meet the New York State requirement of 1200 laboratory minutes followed by satisfactorily submitted lab reports. This is a mandate that must be completed for entrance into each Regents exam.

LIVING ENVIRONMENT REGENTS - Course #422

(1 year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly Offered to grade: 9 Recommended for 9th grade students. The content of this course follows guidelines provided in the New York State Core Curriculum Guide of Living Environment. Students will investigate basic biological principles and the applications of life processes. Inquiry-based laboratory work is an integral part of the course. Students are required to complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory assignments, followed by written lab reports, as required by the New York State Education Department. Students will be prepared for, and take the Living Environment Regents as the final exam of the course. NCAA approved

BILINGUAL LIVING ENVIRONMENT REGENTS - Course #420

(1 year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly Offered to grade: 9 Recommended for 9th grade students. This course is designed to support Beginner English Language Learners. The content of this course follows guidelines provided in the New York State Core Curriculum Guide of Living Environment. Students will investigate basic biological principles and the applications of life processes. Inquiry-based laboratory work is an integral part of the course. Students are required to complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory assignments, followed by written lab reports, as required by the New York State Education Department. Students will be prepared for, and take the Living Environment Regents as the final exam of the course. NCAA approved

LIVING ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT - Course #400-9

(1 Year - no Credit) 2 1⁄2 periods weekly Offered to grade: 9 th Recommended for students who achieved Level 1 or 2 on their 8 grade Intermediate Level Science Examination. Also recommended for students needing additional support in science skills to pass the Regents exam.

This course is designed to support students in the content and skill areas of Living Environment. Students will work on topics related to scientific procedure, and develop the skills required to report scientific data. Science content topics covered will be those in the Living Environment Core Curriculum. Students meet every other day in concurrence with an on-going Living Environment class.

LIVING ENVIRONMENT HONORS - Course #423

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly

Offered to grade: 9

Recommended for 9th grade students with mid-year and final grades of 85 or higher in Earth Science and teacher recommendation.

The content of this course follows guidelines provided in the New York State Core Curriculum Guide of Living Environment, as well as material in the SAT Subject Test in Biology. Students will investigate the content at an in-depth, pre-AP level, and should be able to maintain the pace necessary to provide comprehensive study of core topics. This content will provide the groundwork for more rigorous Advanced Placement work in the field of Biology. Inquiry-based laboratory work is an integral part of the course. Students are required to complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory assignments, followed by written lab reports, as required by the New York State Education Department. Students will be prepared for the Living Environment Regents and the SAT Subject Test in Biology. The final exam for the class consists of the Living Environment Regents exam as well as an in-class examination.NCAA approved

THE PHYSICAL SETTING: EARTH SCIENCE - ESL - Course #405ESL

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 9, 10

Recommended for students in the ESL Intermediate level.

This course is designed to support English Language learners as they investigate basic geological and environmental principles and the applications of these processes. The content of this course follows guidelines provided in the New York State Core Curriculum Guide of The Physical Setting: Earth Science. Inquiry-based laboratory work is an integral part of the course. Students are required to complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory assignments, followed by written lab reports, as required by the New York State Education Department. Students will be prepared for, and take the Physical Setting: Earth Science Regents as the final exam of the course. NCAA approved

THE PHYSICAL SETTING: EARTH SCIENCE REGENTS - Course #405

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly

Offered to grade: 10

Recommended for 10th grade students.

The content of this course follows guidelines provided in the New York State Core Curriculum Guide of The Physical Setting: Earth Science. Students will investigate basic geological and environmental principles and the applications of these processes. Inquiry-based laboratory work is an integral part of the course. Students are required to complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory assignments, followed by written lab reports, as required by the New York State Education Department. Students will be prepared for, and take the Physical Setting: Earth Science Regents as the final exam of the course. NCAA approved

COMMON CORE GEOMETRY HONORS - Course #301

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Common Core Algebra 1 Honors

This course is offered to 9th graders who have demonstrated the ability to handle the rigorous coursework of Integrated Algebra during 8th grade. Please see course description of Geometry. This course culminates in the NYS Geometry Regents examination. NCAA approved

COMMON CORE GEOMETRY CONCEPTS SUPPORT - Course #309C

(I Year - no Credit) 2 1⁄2 periods weekly

Co-requisite: Common Core Geometry Regents

The purpose of this course is to provide support for motivated students who experience difficulty with Integrated Algebra, but who are interested in meeting the requirements for the Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. In addition to receiving small group and individual instruction, students will be exposed to geometry concepts before they are taught. Emphasis will be placed on formal and informal reasoning skills and the derivation of important geometric facts. Support will be given using technology such as geometer sketch pad and other techniques assisting students in visualizing geometry concepts. A comprehensive review of all geometry topics will be given to help students prepare for the Geometry Regents examination.

THE PHYSICAL SETTING: CHEMISTRY REGENTS - Course #430

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Living Environment and Earth Science.

This course is offered to students who have successfully completed both the Living Environment course and The Physical Setting: Earth Science Course. The content of this course follows guidelines provided in the New York State Core Curriculum Guide of the Physical Setting: Chemistry. Students will investigate basic chemical principles and the applications of chemical processes. Inquiry-based laboratory work is an integral part of the course. Students are required to complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory assignments, followed by written lab reports, as required by the New York State Education Department. Students will be prepared for, and take the Physical Setting: Chemistry Regents as the final exam of the course. NCAA approved

THE PHYSICAL SETTING: CHEMISTRY HONORS - Course #432

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Recommended mid-year and final grades of 85 or higher in Living Environment, Earth Science and Common Core Algebra and the Regents, and teacher recommendation.

The content of this course follows guidelines provided in the New York State Core Curriculum Guide of The Physical Setting: Chemistry, as well as material in the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry. Students will investigate content at an in-depth, pre-AP level, and should be able to maintain the pace necessary to provide comprehensive study of core topics. This content will provide the groundwork for the more rigorous Advanced Placement Chemistry class. Inquiry-based laboratory work is an integral part of the course. Students are required to complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory assignments, followed by written lab reports, as required by the New York State Education Department. Students will be prepared for the Physical Setting: Chemistry Regents examination as well as the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry. The final exam for the class consists of the Physical Setting: Chemistry Regents exam as well as an in class exam. NCAA approved

THE PHYSICAL SETTING: PHYSICS REGENTS - Course #441

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 11, 12

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Living Environment and Earth Science or Chemistry, as well as completion or concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2 and Trigonometry or Common Core Algebra 2.

The content of this course follows guidelines provided in the New York State Core Curriculum Guide of The Physical Setting: Physics. Students will investigate basic principles of physics and the applications of physical processes. Inquiry-based laboratory work is an integral part of the course. Students are required to complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory assignments followed by written lab reports, as required by the New York State Education Department. Students will be prepared for, and take the Physical Setting: Physics Regents as the final exam of the course. NCAA approved

THE PHYSICAL SETTING: PHYSICS HONORS - Course #445

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 11, 12

Prerequisites: Mid-year and/or final grade of 85 or higher in Earth Science or Chemistry and teacher recommendation. Students may be concurrently enrolled in Common Core Algebra 2.

The content of this course follows guidelines provided in the New York State Core Curriculum Guide of The Physical Setting: Physics course and will prepare them to take AP Physics. Students will investigate content at an in-depth, pre-AP level, and should be able to maintain the pace necessary to provide comprehensive study of core topics. This content will provide the groundwork for more rigorous Advanced Placement work in the field of Physics. Inquiry-based laboratory work is an integral part of the course. Students are required to complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory assignments followed by written lab reports, as required by the New York State Education Department. The final exam for the class consists of the Physical Setting: Physics Regents Exam as well as an in-class examination.NCAA approved

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) BIOLOGY - Course #429

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 11, 12

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Living Environment and Chemistry with mid-year and/or final grades of 85 or higher and teacher recommendation.

This course is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory level college biology course. Students are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of biological principles, cellular dynamics, chemical structures and chemical processes prior to entry into this course. Students are also expected to be self- motivated and capable of independent study and thus be able to meet rigorous academic demands. The course moves at a challenging pace and includes extensive in-depth study of cells and cell chemistry, animal and plant physiology, genetic applications, evolutionary theory and processes, and ecological principles and dynamics. Under College Board AP guidelines, laboratory investigations are an integral part of this course. NCAA approved

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CHEMISTRY - Course #434

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 11, 12

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Living Environment, Chemistry and Algebra 2 and Trigonometry courses and Regents exams with an 85 or higher and teacher recommendation. Students may be concurrently enrolled in a Pre-Calculus Honors class.

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory chemistry course offered to chemistry majors during the first academic year. Students are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of chemical structures and processes prior to entry into this course. Students are also expected to be self-motivated and capable of independent study, and thus be able to meet rigorous academic demands. The course moves at a challenging pace and includes extensive in-depth study of reaction chemistry, thermodynamics, stoichiometry, nuclear chemistry, and kinetics. Students develop skills in mathematical interpretations of these processes. Under College Board AP guidelines, laboratory investigations are an integral part of this course. NCAA approved

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - Course #421

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 11, 12

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Living Environment and Earth Science or Chemistry. Recommended mid-year and final grades of 85 or higher in previous science course and teacher recommendation.

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory environmental science course. It is 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 or preventing them. There is a strong laboratory component to the class. NCAA approved

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) PHYSICS 1 - Course #444

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 7 1⁄2 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 11, 12

Prerequisites: Mid-year and/or final grade of 85 or higher in Earth Science or Chemistry and teacher recommendation. Students may be concurrently enrolled in Common Core Algebra 2.

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory physics course offered to science majors during the first academic semester. Students are expected to be self-motivated and capable of independent study, and thus be able to meet rigorous academic demands. The course moves at a challenging pace and includes extensive in-depth study of one and two dimensional motion, energy, and momentum. The course also includes a brief unit on electricity and optics for students wishing to take the NYS regents Physics exam. Students develop skills in mathematical interpretations of these processes. Under College Board AP guidelines, laboratory investigations are an integral part of this course.NCAA approved

INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE RESEARCH HONORS - Course #450-9

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

This course revolves around developing and completing a science project to compete in local, state, or national science competitions. Development of real-world skills, such as oral and written communication, statistical analysis, and technology will be a part of the curriculum. Students will be assessed by a portfolio that includes written work, project proposals, research analysis, and log data entry. Students are encouraged to take this course for successive years.

SCIENCE RESEARCH HONORS - Course #450

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Final grade of 65 or higher in Introduction to Science Research.

Students will work with mentors toward completing an Intel project.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR - Course #452

(1⁄2 Year - 1⁄2 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

The characteristic behavior patterns of various groups of animals will be discussed in terms of their biological components, causes, implications and survival value. Among the topics to be investigated will be: animal rights, ethology, innate and acquired behavior, communication among animals and social behavior. Students will be actively participating in laboratory investigations including setting up and maintaining a habitat for live animals. Other activities include reading assignments, lectures, videos and films on animal behavior. Beginning with the 2015 – 2016 school year, this course is no longer NCAA approved.

ENGINEERING DESIGN – Course #461

(1 Year – 1 Credit)

Offered to grades: 11, 12

This introduction to engineering design course will expose students to the design process, research and analysis, team work, and communication methods. This course will help prepare students for a career in the engineering profession. The course uses the “Project Lead the Way” curriculum, and is focused on design techniques. The students use computer-aided design software, and perform research and analysis, as they work in teams on problems with global and human impact. Students will learn problem-solving skills using a design development process.

ASTRONOMY - Course #457

(1⁄2 Year - 1⁄2 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Living Environment and Earth Science.

Have you ever wondered about the constellations? What makes a star shine? These and many other questions will be answered in this course. Tools of ancient and modern astronomers will be used and viewed. The characteristics of celestial objects will be studied. The names, locations, and histories of constellations will be studied through the use of slides, charts, star finders and other multimedia resources. The course will also cover the farthest reaches of the known universe to the nearest celestial objects in our own solar system. NCAA approved

FORENSIC SCIENCE - Course #455

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Living Environment and Earth Science or Chemistry.

Crime solving techniques will be studied as well as hands-on laboratory investigations in such areas as fingerprinting, physical evidence, forensic anthropology and forensic serology. NCAA approved

ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCE – Course #462

(1 Year – 1 Credit)

Offered to grades: 11, 12

Health Science Technology familiarizes the student with the multitude of careers in the health care system. Students receive instruction in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, recognition of vital signs, and employability skills culminating in certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation with AED.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - Course #431

(1 Year - 1 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Living Environment and Earth Science.

This course stresses basic principles of environmental science, with a strong focus on inquiry based, collaborative problem solving. Topics of study include ecosystems, energy, land, soil and water, pollution, population, biotechnology, waste and environmental ethics. There is a strong laboratory component to the class. NCAA approved

MARINE ECOLOGY - Course #453

(1⁄2 Year - 1⁄2 Credit) 5 periods weekly

Offered to grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Living Environment.

A “hands-on” approach will be applied to investigate various ecological relationships in the marine environment. Students will actively participate in various laboratory investigations including setting up and maintaining a marine aquarium, observing marine life and measuring physical aspects of the ocean environment. NCAA approved

Science classes are fun! Hands-on activities are an exciting way to practice the methods of science while learning the concepts of life, earth and physical science. Classes use technology and emphasize collaboration, communication and problem solving.

Our science courses are designed to provide all students with a basic foundation of scientific concepts. This foundation will prepare the middle school student for Regents level science courses in high school. All students in Science 8 will take the Intermediate Level Science (ILS) Assessment. This New York State exam tests science concepts learned in grades 5 through 8. It consists of two components: a performance test in May and a written test in June.

ESL SCIENCE 7/8 (40 Weeks)

This course was created to meet the needs of the ESL students at the beginning English proficiency level. Over two years the ESL science course covers topics normally covered in Science 7 and Science 8. Students are placed in the class with the recommendation of the ESL Director and Chairperson of Science.

SCIENCE 7 (40 Weeks)

This course is required for all 7th grade students. Included in this course are topics found in the NYS Intermediate Science Core Curriculum Guide: The Living Environment. These topics include the scientific method, characteristics of living things, structure and functions of cells, and concepts in genetics and evolutionary theory. Human biology, including systems and interactions, are also studied.

SCIENCE 8 (40 Weeks)

This course is the regular placement for all 8th grade students. Included in this course are topics found in the NYS Intermediate Science Core Curriculum Guide: The Physical Setting. Major concepts in each of the physical sciences: chemistry, physics and earth science are taught.

EARTH SCIENCE R - Grade 8 (40 Weeks)

This course is the placement for 8th grade students who are accelerated in science. Units of study are based on the NYS Core Curriculum Guide: The Physical Setting: Earth Science. Topics include planetary motion, meteorology, geology, and the earth’s environment, among other selected studies in the earth sciences. Under NYS guidelines, laboratory activities are an integral part of this course and include a minimum of 1200 minutes of completed laboratory investigations, with required written lab reports. Students must complete this laboratory requirement in order to take the Regents examination in June, which is the final exam for the course.

The Regents exam consists of two components: a performance test and a written test. The grade earned in Earth Science will be entered on the student’s high school transcript and computed in the high school grade point average. Students who do not wish to have the grade entered this way must drop the course before the end of the first quarter.