Chemistry I
Year-long/Required
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.
Prerequisite: Physics I and Algebra 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.]
Forensics (Chemistry II option)
One Semester
Using inquiry-based settings, students will apply concepts of chemistry to explore techniques commonly used in solving crimes, including the proper collection, preservation, and laboratory analysis of various samples. This course will rely heavily on scientific reasoning and critical thinking as students evaluate how scientific methods have evolved and interpret their impact on the reliability of forensic evidence.
This class may be taken as a stand alone or in conjunction with Science of Art and an independent project to receive Chemistry II credit.
Prerequisites: Chemistry I
Grade level: 11, 12
Credit earned: 0.5 Science
Science of Art (Chemistry II option)
One Semester
From ceramics to jewelry making to painting, chemistry is the foundation of all art. This semester long course will explore the intersection of these two disciplines by allowing the students to apply their scientific skills of investigation as they experiment with different art processes to learn the chemistry involved in their production.
This class may be taken as a stand alone or in conjunction with Forensics and an independent project to receive Chemistry II credit.
Prerequisites: Chemistry I
Grade level: 11, 12
Credit earned: 0.5 Science