911ÖÆÆ·³§

The many science course offerings and sequences are planned to meet the needs of each student, whether he or she considers science as a future career, an interesting avocation, or a necessity in our technological society.

All science students engage in a rigorous curriculum. Outside the classroom, students will have access to various science facilities including the Nature Center, REEL (Renewable Energy and Environmental Lab), and the planetarium to enhance the curriculum. To be successful, science students are required to complete homework on a regular basis. Students are expected to make use of additional resources like AM Support (with their science teacher) and the Science Study Center in W201.

Prerequisites and course recommendations are typically accurate indicators of student success and achievement. These are based on the experience of 911ÖÆÆ·³§ science department faculty in collaboration with other departments. Level changes are based on academic placement criteria. Cut-off dates for changes are set by the school. These guidelines are strictly enforced.

Safety

All science offerings are lab courses. Good conduct in science laboratory courses is non-negotiable. In courses where field trips are part of the science program, qualifications for entry include academic prerequisites and a student’s agreement to practice accepted standards of behavior. To protect the safety and welfare of all students, anyone unable to demonstrate good conduct in lab and on field trips may be dropped from the course.

Animal Dissection Policy

Dissection of animal specimens may occur in some 911ÖÆÆ·³§ biology courses. Students who object to performing, participating in, or observing the dissection of dead animals may negotiate without penalty an alternative project with their teacher. (NOTE: Dissection is required for the successful completion of anatomy and physiology elective courses.)

Standards

The State of Illinois has adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Workforce. Through a collaborative, state-led process managed by Achieve, new K–12 science standards have been developed that are rich in content and practice and arranged in a coherent manner across disciplines and grades to provide all students an internationally-benchmarked science education. The NGSS are based on the Framework for K–12 Science Education developed by the National Research Council. (Excerpt from )

Disciplinary ideas are grouped in four domains: the physical sciences; the life sciences; the earth and space sciences; and engineering, technology and applications of science. In each domain, teachers are expected to connect disciplinary core ideas with scientific practices and crosscutting concepts to create “three dimensional” learning. The standards are expected to be fully implemented by the 2016-2017 school year.

Requirements

Four (4) credits in a lab science are required (two in a physical science, two in a biological science).  Physical science can be fulfilled by chemistry, physics, astronomy or geoscience.

Visit the graduation requirements page for complete details.