Science

This class introduces all 7th grade students to the design thinking process. Students explore robotic design in the fall and 3D printing design in the spring. Students also complete safety training on relevant machines and tools in order to  laser cut, drill, and saw custom pieces for their projects. In the winter midterm, students work collaboratively to build and program a functional machine, such as a robotic pinball game.

This course focuses specifically on the human body and general health. Through lab work, dissections, discussions, debates, and creative activities, students develop an understanding of the systems of the body as well as issues of alcohol, drugs, human sexuality and bioethics.

Eighth grade science fosters scientific inquiry and deep understanding of concepts through laboratory investigations, hands-on learning and data analysis. Students gain experience formulating research questions and designing their own investigative methods. Topics include astronomy, geology, water, weather and climate.

As part of the curriculum, each 8th grader completes a Community Impact Project (CIP), presented at the school-wide STEAM & Service Fair in the second semester. Through their CIPs students use scientific methods to evaluate the impact of a self-directed community service project.

This course is a hands-on inquiry driven course. The course favors depth over breadth and focuses on 21st century skills including critical thinking, experimentation, communication, and collaboration. Students have repeated opportunities to design, complete and present their own experiments, including working with moon jellies grown in our on-campus Jelly Research Lab. Students also have the opportunity to display their independent research at our school’s STEAM & Service Fair. Ninth Grade Biology prepares students for their future science courses by giving them experience with important science skills as well as core biological concepts such as the importance of balance in biological systems, how energy is harnessed and used, and the role of evolution in shaping the diversity of life. Chemistry concepts are woven into the curriculum throughout the year.

This course uses a modeling approach to physics instruction, in which students are challenged to develop their own understanding of the physical world through the building of conceptual models. Students engage in hands-on lab activities throughout the course and will have the opportunity to participate in Prep’s annual STEAM & Service Fair.

This course builds on the introductory biology course in the 9th grade by providing students an opportunity to study biology in greater breadth and depth. The course uses an evolutionary approach to explore topics such as biochemistry, protein synthesis, gene regulation, cell signaling, and ecology. Many of the labs are inquiry driven and students use statistical tools to allow for in-depth data analysis. Students become comfortable reading and interpreting scientific journal articles and using their findings to form sound scientific arguments. Students who are successful in this course are required  to take the Advanced Placement exam.

This course introduces students to the essential concepts of chemistry, both in preparation for future study and for participation in society as informed citizens. Investigations, experiments and research projects illustrate the evolving nature of scientific discovery, focusing on the composition and behavior of matter. Students develop strong scientific literacy skills, including the ability to read scientific publications and to communicate their opinions and knowledge in written and oral expression. Class discussions and investigations on the role of science in addressing social, environmental and medical needs encourage students to develop their own value systems and consider the place of science and technology in society.

This mathematically intensive, college-level course centers on the connection between events at the molecular level and large-scale, observable phenomena. Through a combination of lectures, laboratory experiments, and classroom demonstrations, students become familiar with fundamental chemical principles and their applications to such topics as reaction rates, acid-base chemistry and electrochemical cells. The class heavily emphasizes problem-solving skills as well as data analysis and interpretation. Contemporary issues ranging from climate change to nuclear energy are explored through the combined lens of scientific literacy and social responsibility. Students who are successful in this course will be qualified to take the Advanced Placement exam.

This course introduces students to human body organization and basic physiological principles using a systemic approach. In addition to learning the structures and functions of the body’s organ systems, students participate in dissections and labs on topics such as lung capacity, muscle imbalance and gait analysis, nutrition, forensics, and blood pressure. Students also investigate disease pathologies affecting normal body function. In this course students gain an understanding of who they are, what makes their bodies work and what happens when their bodies malfunction. The course emphasizes the impact of lifestyle choices on health, as well as the importance of decision-making and responsibility for those choices.

This is an algebra-based course that examines the application of physical laws and principles to a wide range of topics including Newtonian mechanics, astronomy, sound, and electricity. In this class, students develop an integrated approach to problem solving that combines visualization of physical systems with detailed mathematical treatment. The course features a prominent laboratory component that emphasizes hands-on projects, thoughtful experimental design, and graphical analysis of data. Physics is not a prerequisite for Honors Physics.

This is a thorough Calculus-based course in Newtonian mechanics. Rather than move quickly through topics, this class explores mechanics concepts in detail using the abstract elements of Calculus, including differential equations. Students will design, carry out, and evaluate a wide range of experiments that involve sensor technology as well as more traditional approaches. Students who enroll in this course are required to take the Advanced Placement exam. Physics is not a prerequisite for AP Physics.

Environmental Science (H) is designed to draw on a variety of disciplines to examine the interconnectedness of Earth systems, understand the scientific framework for the idea of ecological sustainability, and explore the intersection of humans and the natural environment. The primary objective of the course is to build an understanding of systems and cycles, focusing in particular on their geochemistry, biochemistry, physical nature, and the manner in which they can be modeled. While the course will cover many themes in a qualitative manner, there is a notable quantitative component that aims to address not only what systems are, but how they function mechanically. In the latter half of the course, there is a major emphasis on student-driven inquiry and student-designed research projects. Learning to work in the field is a critical part of the course, and students will have opportunities for both survey-style field trips and intensive field-work experiences. Overall, students should emerge from this course not only with a grasp of Earth systems, but also an appreciation for their role as individuals in promoting environmental sustainability, as well as the role of local and global scale communities.