Curriculum

Science

• Applied Physical Science. Designed for non-college bound students and students with limited math and science background. Focus is on concepts of chemistry and physics which are applicable to daily life and can be experienced in a lab setting. Topics include structure and properties of matter, energy, motion, forces, and waves Second semester course for grades 11-12.
• Environmental Science. With the campus as our extended laboratory we will explore how God's earth operates. We will examine the gifts of atmosphere, aquatic systems, and the land and how they have been used and misused. The goal is to prepare us to be good stewards of God's creation.First or second semester course for grade 9; meets two periods per day.
• Biology. God's gift of life to plants, animals and people is marvelous. Biology helps us awaken these wonders. A variety of laboratory and class activities is designed to lay a foundation to understand the living world, both for persons who will take advanced studies as well as those who do not. (9th grade students selecting Biology should have an "A" in 8th grade Math/Science.) Year course for grade 9 or 10.
• Biology. Biology is also offered each semester as a two-period per day class. See course description above. First or second semester course for grade 9 or 10; meets two periods per day
• Biology Research. Biology for students who are interested in pursuing science fair topics while completing the full biology curriculum. Each student will be responsible for completing a science fair project that addresses kingdom values, specifically Matthew 25:34-45. Students selecting Research Biology should be self-motivated having an “A” in 8th grade math/science or “B” and above in Environmental Science. Prerequisite: Environmental Science strongly advised. First semester course for grades 9-10 (10th grade preference); meets two periods per day.
• Chemistry. This course examines the structure and properties of matter, and investigates the interaction of elements and compounds that permeate the world around us. It is designed for the college bound student, although it is encouraged for everyone. Student lab work and demonstrations are integrated with the reading and problem solving involved in this course of study. Prerequisite: Algebra I. First or second semester course for grades 10-12; meets two periods per day.
• Honors Chemistry. This course examines the structure and properties of matter and investigates interactions of elements and compounds that permeate the world around us. It is designed as an option to be taken instead of chemistry for those college-bound students who may be interested in a science or math related field. Student lab work and demonstrations are integrated with the reading and problem solving involved in this course of study. Prerequisite: Students taking this course should have received an A or B in previous science and math classes and be enrolled concurrently in or have completed Algebra II. First or second semester course for grades 10-12; meets two periods per day.
• Physics. This course is an inquiry based course which examines the physical laws which describe our universe. Lab work is essential to the course and provides opportunity to explore and apply these physical laws. Concepts covered are drawn from the areas of motion, energy, static and current electricity, and wave theory. Prerequisite: Chemistry and Algebra II. First or second semester course for grades 11 or 12; meets two periods per day.
• Honors Physics.This course may be taken instead of Physics 459. Students will examine the physical laws which describe our universe. Designing labs, performing labs and problem solving is essential to the course. The labs and problems are more in depth and complex than in Physics 459. Requirements include attending and successfully completing the Hersheypark Physics Day lab. (Cost is approximately $25 and only for students taking the course in the spring), completing a project which, depending on what you build, may also cost additional money. Students enrolling must have completed Algebra II and Chemistry with an A or B. First or Second semester course for grades 11 or 12; meets two periods per day.
• Advanced Biology I. First quarter focuses on cellular biology and its relationship to broader ecology. A trip to coastal New Jersey is an integral part of this course. (A fee is charged.) Classical and modern genetics together with laboratory experiments are taught second quarter. Human genetics receives major attention. Prerequisite: A or B in first year biology and chemistry. First semester for grades 11-12.
• Advanced Placement Chemistry. This course is a second year chemistry class designed for the highly motivated college bound student with a special interest in the sciences. It will involve a deeper study of matter with a closer look at the steps involved in how it changes. It will prepare students for taking the AP Chemistry exam in May which will enable them to obtain up to eight college credits. This is a weighted class. Prerequisite: A or B in first year chemistry, completed or enrolled in advanced math.Offered in alternate years with AP Physics. Offered 2010-2011. Year course for grades 11-12
• Advanced Environmental Science. This course will focus on the scientific study of our environment and the impact we have on it. It includes examining land and energy use, water and air quality, and our impact on the various ecosystems around the world. Our own campus will provide us with hands on lab work. Students planning on taking the AP exam are encouraged to also take Forestry and the Environment or Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Prerequisites: A or B in biology and chemistry. Second semester class for grades 11 and 12. Offered in alternate years with AP Chemistry. Offered 2009-2010.
• Advanced Placement Physics. This course is normally a second year physics class designed for the highly motivated college bound student who has a special interest in engineering or physics. This is a calculus based physics course that will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Physics “C” test in Mechanics. Topics we will cover are kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, power, linear momentum, circular motion, rotation, oscillations and gravitation. Labs will be more extensive than honors physics labs and will take place about once a week. Throughout the course a lot of emphasis will be placed on problem solving. This is a weighted class. Prerequisites: A or B in first year Physics, completed or enrolled in AP Calculus. Offered in alternate years with AP Chemistry. Offered 2009-2010. Second semester class for grades 11-12; meets two periods per day.