Science I
Science I
This is the first course in a two-year integrated sequence of biology, chemistry, and physics. We will explore the fundamental concepts of energy, chemical and physical properties of matter, electricity, chemical reactions, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, evolution, and ecology. Current issues in science will be used to establish a sound foundation in science while highlighting the links between disciplines. In doing so, students will acquire skills in laboratory techniques, critical thinking, the scientific process, and the philosophy and theory of science. Students will learn to write lab reports, translate scientific inquiry into experimental design, and apply mathematical problem-solving to scientific analysis. In the process, students will become informed about current developments in science.
Units
| Unit | Essential Questions | Content | Skills and Processes | Assessment | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science I |
Where does matter come from, how is matter organized and how do scientists determine this? What are the differences between chemical and physical changes? What drives chemical reactions, how do we predict the products of a reactios and how do we represent chemical changes? What is energy and what types of energy are there? How are mass and speed of molecules related to an object's energy? What is the relationship between thermal energy, potential energy and kinetic energy? What mathematical expression describes kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy? How do we arrive at this symbolic representation? Is energy ever gained or lost, or is it conserved? How can we transform one form of energy into another? How is energy used to do work? What is light and what does it have to do with color? How do molecules make up cells and what is the structure of a cell? How is energy used in cellular work and How do plants use light to do chemical work? How do organisms use "food" to obtain energy for cellular work? How does energy flow through ecosystems? What conditions define biomes and what determines weather? How do water and energy changes determine life in an ecosystem? What is the chemistry of water? What interactions occur between molecules that define chemical behavior within substances?
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Thinking critically through scientific reasoning Asking questions and developing methods to find answers Keeping experimental records and writing lab reports Setting up and using lab equipment to collect data Developing a mathematical equation from the graph of data Working with scientific notation, significant figures and uncertainty Problem solving using metric system and dimensional analysis Using a computer to collect and analyze data Learning to work collaboratively Developing oral and written communication skills
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Lab reports Homework Tests and quizzes Classwork and laboratory work Oral presentations |
Numerous online sources Introduction to Chemical Principles; H.Stephen Stoker; Tenth Edition; Pearson, Prentice Hall Biology, Life on Earth; Audesirk, Audesirk and Byers; Seventh Edition; Pearson, Prentice Hall
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