Sciences

Physical Science 

Year-long / Required 

The eighth-grade science course plays an integral part in the ongoing curriculum to prepare students for upper school, building on skills and concepts previously introduced. The curriculum revolves around the theme of physical science, and students learn content through the use of scientific skills. Students demonstrate proficiency in three major categories: scientific inquiry, scientific communication and engineering. The goal for every student is to engage with content in a variety of learning experiences that align with the National Science Teachers’ Association recommendations for middle school science, including using “hands-on, minds-on” inquiry-based science instruction in which at least eighty percent of instructional time is spent on laboratory investigations. Within the physical science content, units of study include energy, physical and chemical properties of matter, motion, force, electricity and magnetism. 

Prerequisite: None  
Grade level: 8 
Credit earned: 1.0 MS Science 

This required course is a project-based class that uses inquiry, hands-on laboratory experiences to understand physics. Students are presented with 2-3 project challenges over the course of the year. The first semester project focuses on waves. The second semester project covers optics and basic electricity. The main emphasis is on an introduction to classical physics. Other topics are covered as time permits. The course uses a variety of labs, lectures, demonstrations, and problem solving to learn the basic concepts. The labs utilize real time data acquisition probes and sensors.

The following semester electives (below) are open to all students who meet the prerequisites. Students wishing to earn Level II status on their transcript may do so by successfully completing the two electives in a core discipline (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology) and carrying out a culminating, individual investigation and presenting it at the annual Forest Ridge STEM Fair. Seniors who intend to receive level II status for their courses must commit to completing both semesters in the series along with the independent project; if they drop the second semester after the first quarter of the school year or fail to complete the independent project, they will receive a “W” on their transcripts.

Mechanics (Physics II option)

Electricity & Magnetism (Physics II option)

This required course will cover the basics of chemistry. The students’ investigations will include, but not be limited to, the structure of atoms, how they come together to bond, what reactions they undergo, and how to measure quantities in those reactions. The class will involve inquiry lessons, laboratory experiments, readings and homework assignments from the text, and computer simulations. This course is designed to build on the knowledge the students acquired in their physics course and prepare them for their study of biology.

This inquiry-based biology course introduces students to major themes in biology, including homeostasis, evolution, inheritance, and the interdependence of living systems, with an emphasis on real-world connections that are relevant to the students’ lives. Classes consist primarily of hands-on labs and activities, case studies, and discussions. In addition to learning the fundamental concepts of biology, students develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills through planning and carrying out inquiry-driven investigations, analyzing data, and constructing explanations.

Prerequisites: Physics I
Grade level: 10, 11, 12
Credit earned: 1.0 Science

The following semester electives (below) are open to all students who meet the prerequisites. Students wishing to earn Level II status on their transcript may do so by successfully completing the two electives in a core discipline (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology) and carrying out a culminating, individual investigation and presenting it at the annual Forest Ridge STEM Fair. Seniors who intend to receive level II status for their courses must commit to completing both semesters in the series along with the independent project; if they drop the second semester after the first quarter of the school year or fail to complete the independent project, they will receive a “W” on their transcripts.

Ecology (Biology II option) 

One Semester 

Ecology is the study of interactions between the living and non-living world. Through experiments, case-studies, simulations, and other hands-on activities, students will gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental concepts related to ecological science. Topics will include natural selection, population and community ecology, animal behavior, biodiversity, and sustainability. The course will also explore some of today’s major ecological challenges and the important research that is being done to address these concerns. Additionally, they will practice skills necessary for designing and conducting investigations and analyzing the resulting data.

This class may be taken as a stand alone or in conjunction with Biotechnology and an independent project to receive Biology II credit.

Prerequisites: Biology 1 
Grade level: 11, 12 
Credit earned: 0.5 Science 

Biotechnology (Biology II option) 

Prerequisites: Biology I 
Grade level: 11, 12 
Credit earned: 0.5 Science

Environmental science focuses on the natural state of the environment as well as the impacts of human populations and activities on the natural world. Many of these topics are socially and politically controversial. The goal of this course is to give students the ability to understand the issues facing our species and to think critically and intelligently about the issues involved. Earth is a dynamic, changing planet, and this course will challenge students to think about global change as it impacts environments, economies, and societies. Topics will include human population growth, climate change, water resources, and pollution. Class time will be primarily spent doing hands-on activities, performing experiments, and discussing current events.

This course is offered on a rotating basis. It will be offered next in the 2024-2025 school year.
 

You are what you eat, right? At a molecular level, this is absolutely true! So, how do the ingredients you put into your foods transform into delicious meals that eventually become part of your skin, bones, blood, and muscles? In this course, students will apply what they have learned in their core science classes as they prepare some of their favorite foods. Working in both the kitchen and science lab, students will investigate the physical and chemical changes that occur to foods when they are whipped, brined, boiled, and baked. Additionally, they will trace how nutrients in food are absorbed and used by our bodies for energy, development, structure, and disease prevention. Finally, they will investigate how their food choices affect the environment and how nurturing a healthy environment ensures a sustainable food system for generations to come.

The goal of this course is to guide students in investigating current topics that are making the news and transforming their daily lives. Students will be given the opportunity to research and experiment with the topics as well as evaluate the techniques and procedures being used in terms of their validity and ethics. As part of this course students will get a chance to reinforce and implement the knowledge of the scientific method, guide them through the process of developing and thoroughly researching a scientific question, and introduce them to common scientific techniques and tools of analysis. Opportunities will be given to engage in community science projects as well as be exposed to careers in different science disciplines.

Prerequisite: None