UPPER SCHOOL SCIENCE
Whether teachers lead students on a collecting expedition in an outdoor laboratory - the woods surrounding the school - or a view through a microscope, Science at Long Trail is interactive. The hands-on work explores the natural world and conducts experiments that relate to everyday life experiences. A coordinated curriculum gives a foundation in life and earth sciences in grades 6-8 while, in the upper grades, students progress through conceptual physics, chemistry, biology, physics, and environmental science.
SCIENCE FACULTY
SCIENCE OFFERINGS
Conceptual Physics, Chemistry, and Biology constitute the required core science curriculum for all upper school students. All courses are based on the principle that the scientific priority is to ask a question.
Full year 1 credit, 9th grade requirement
CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS focuses on the dynamics of "cause and effect.” Students experience this process by "playing" with an idea, observing what happens (or does not happen), and connecting their experiences in order to develop concepts. Students then confirm their interpretations by testing whether or not their predicted cause had the expected effect. Students come to appreciate that errors and mistakes are tools for learning. Topics covered include matter, motion, equilibrium, the Laws of Conservation of Energy and Momentum, heat, magnetism, electricity, waves, light (optics), and the structure of atoms. Text: Conceptual Physics (Hewitt, 2002)
Full year 1 credit, 10th grade requirement
CHEMISTRY is lab-based, using proper and safe laboratory techniques. Experiments and demonstrations are used to emphasize the underlying concepts of chemistry — chemistry's common rules. The year begins with atomic structure and ends with an introduction to organic chemistry. Text: Chemistry: The Study of Matter (Prentice Hall, 1989).
Full year 1 credit, 11th grade requirement, prerequisite Chemistry
BIOLOGY is an inquiry-based course where students investigate life's diversity and its underlying unity. Major topics include: evolution, inheritance, cellular life, organismal structure and function, and ecology. Projects prepare students for a world facing global environmental challenges and the consequences and opportunities of genetic technology. Text: Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (Starr/Taggart, 2001).
Full year 1 credit, prerequisites: Chemistry, Biology, Algebra 2, and permission of instructor
AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Students will be prepared and expected to take the Advanced Placement test upon completion of the course.
1 st Semester 1/2 credit, 12th grade
FROM THE BIG BANG TO BIOTECHNOLOGY: UNDERSTANDING THE UNIVERSE AND OUR PLACE IN IT
This course uses the popular book, “A short history of nearly everything” by Bill Bryson as a starting point for studying everything from the Big Bang through the evolution of life on Earth. Along the way, we will study: 1) Newton’s laws of motion, 2) fundamental forces in nature (gravitation, strong force, weak force, and electromagnetism), 3) the formation of Earth, 4) geology and paleontology, 5) quantum mechanics, 6) the origin of life, 7) theories of evolution, 8) the structure of DNA, 9) the greenhouse effect, and 10) string theory. In addition, we will study how these major scientific discoveries might impact science and society in the 21st century. This senior-level course is interdisciplinary and encompasses a wide variety of scientific disciplines (physics, chemistry, and biology).
2 nd Semester 1/2 credit, 12th grade
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
This course introduces students to biomedical sciences through hands on projects and laboratory investigations. Students will explore advanced medical treatments and health science career opportunities. Students will also study anatomy, physiology, and pathology as it relates to various health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, AIDS, and other infectious and metabolic diseases.
 ELECTIVES
Full year 1 credit, 12th grade, prerequisites: Chemistry, Biology, Algebra 2. 11th grade with permission of Science Department Chair and instructor
ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE is a college level course focusing on the interrelationships of the natural world and the scientific principles, methodologies, and concepts affecting public policy issues. Class and lab work provide students with the tools necessary to analyze environmental problems, evaluate associated risks, and examine alternative solutions/resolutions.
Full year 1 credit,
12th grade, prerequisite Algebra 2
PHYSICS incorporates math skills into the physical world. Students explore basic physical concepts through rigorous mathematical modeling and interactive physical demonstrations.
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