Biology

This inquiry and lab-based course is designed to support modern science curriculum and teaching practices. It robustly meets NGSS learning standards for high school biology. Content topics include cells, organ systems, heredity, organization of organisms, evolution, energy use in organisms, and the interdependence of ecosystems. Each lesson includes one or more inquiry-based activities that can be performed online within the context of the lesson. In addition, the course includes a significant number of hands-on lab activities. Approximately 40% of student time in this course is devoted to true lab experiences, as defined by the National Research Council.

Lab materials note: most hands-on labs employ relatively common household materials. A few labs require specialized scientific equipment or materials, such as a microscope, slides, or biological samples. These few specialized labs are optional but provide valuable laboratory experience.

Chemistry

This inquiry and lab-based course is designed to support modern science curriculum and teaching practices. It robustly meets NGSS learning standards associated with high school chemistry along with additional concepts and standards typically included in a full-year high school chemistry course. Content topics include atoms and elements, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, quantitative chemistry, molecular-level forces, solutions, and energy and changes in matter. It also addresses additional concepts and standards, including molar concentrations, acid-base reactions, advanced stoichiometry, gas laws, and organic compounds. Each lesson includes one or more inquiry-based activities that can be performed online within the context of the lesson. In addition, the course includes a significant number of hands-on lab activities. Approximately 40% of student time in this course is devoted to true lab experiences, as defined by the National Research Council.

Lab materials note: most hands-on labs employ relatively common household materials. A few labs require specialized scientific equipment or materials, such as an electronic balance (0.01g), graduated cylinders, test tubes, and chemical reagents. These few specialized labs are optional but provide valuable laboratory experience.

Physics

Physics introduces students to the physics of motion, properties of matter, force, heat, vector, light, and sound. Students learn the history of physics from the discoveries of Galileo and Newton to those of contemporary physicists. The course focuses more on explanation than calculation and prepares students for introductory quantitative physics at the college level. Additional areas of discussion include gases and liquids, atoms, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear physics.

Lab materials note: None of the virtual labs require specialized laboratory materials or tools. Some virtual labs do allow students to make use of common household items—such as paper and a pencil—if they choose.

Environmental Science

This course is designed to introduce students to the history of environmental science in the United States, ecological interactions and succession , environmental change , adaptation, and biogeochemical cycles. Students will learn about the importance of environmental science as an interdisciplinary field. They will describe the importance of biodiversity to the survival of organisms, and learn about ecological pyramids . They will discuss the effects of climate change an d explore different types of adaptation. They will describe the steps of the water cycle, and discuss how carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorous cycle in the global environment.

See Advanced Placement courses for more science options.