Science

This course is designed to prepare students to explain, both accurately and with appropriate depth, the most important ideas about our living environment. Key concepts include unity and diversity, genetic continuity, evolution, reproduction and development, dynamic equilibrium in organisms, ecology and human ecology. Key units include: structure and function of living organisms, matter and energy in organisms and ecosystems, interdependent relationships in ecosystems, inheritance and variation of traits, natural selection and evolution, growth, development, and reproduction of organisms, human body systems and homeostasis, ecosystem stability and climate change, and biotechnology and bioethics. The class meets daily with an extra period every other day for laboratory work. A lab requirement must be met to be eligible to take the Regents exam in June.
 

Regents Earth Science is designed to explore the Earth and Solar System. This laboratory-oriented course explores astronomy, topographic mapping, oceanography, geology, mineralogy, meteorology, and hydrology. An emphasis is placed on the concepts and principles essential to understanding the moving forces and history of the earth. The class meets daily, plus an extra period every other day for laboratory work. Students who select this course should have passed Algebra I and be enrolled in a higher level math course. A lab requirement must be met to be eligible to take the Regents exam in June.
 

The honors section of Earth Science follows the Regents Earth Science syllabus. Students will take the Physical Setting/Earth Science Regents exam in June providing the lab requirement is met. Students will be studying the Earth Science topics in more depth than the Regents Earth Science class and will be expected to complete more extensive labs and projects. The class meets daily with an extra period every other day. Students are expected to maintain at least an 85 average.
 

This course is an introduction to environmental science. Topics include ecosystems and natural processes, biodiversity, energy, resource consumption and disposal, the Adirondacks, environmental policy, and global climate change. While the main focus is on the science of these topics, there will also be discussion of the social, political and economic factors that affect our ability to address environmental problems. It is expected that students have successfully completed Living Environment; successful completion of Earth Science would be helpful. The class meets for one period daily; it is not a lab-intensive course. There are various field trips scheduled throughout the year.
 

Regents Chemistry is designed to introduce the student to a wide range of chemical applications. Chemistry is a study of matter, its composition, and the changes that matter can undergo. The course is structured to look at the fundamental principles of chemistry, and at the completion of the course, you should have a working knowledge of the basic principles. Topics that will be covered include: matter and energy, atomic structure, chemical bonding, the periodic table, stoichiometry, kinetics and equilibrium, acids and bases, reduction oxidation, organic chemistry, and modern chemical applications. Each unit throughout the course will build on previous chapters. It is a full year course primarily for juniors who have had or are currently taking Algebra II. The class meets daily with an extra period every other day for laboratory work. The course culminates with the Chemistry Regents exam, and students must have successfully completed 1200 minutes of hands-on laboratory exercises in order to be eligible for the exam.