SCIENCE.
Subject area goals:
- Scholars will discover the processes of the world around them and begin lifelong experiences in science.
- Scholars are required to take Conceptual Science, Biology plus two other science courses.
- College track scholars should have Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
DISTINCTION IN SCIENCE
COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS BY APRIL OF SENIOR YEAR
- Complete 4 science courses at least 2 of which are honors; must earn a “B” or higher in each course
- Overall, scholars must have a 3.0 GPA or better
- Scholar will complete an independent research paper or inquiry project related to a scientific topic of their choosing and department approval. They must ask a science teacher to be their mentor to develop their project. The project or paper will then be presented to a school panel.
212 CONCEPTUAL SCIENCE
212 CONCEPTUAL SCIENCE
This conglomerate course which was specially designed by teachers at Heritage to prepare Heritage scholars for high school and college-level science classes. A strand of scientific inquiry through the OHEC model weaves throughout the course. Universal critical thinking and problem-solving strategies are also introduced and strengthened throughout the course. The Pre-Physics and Pre-Chemistry topics covered in this course are combined with Thermodynamics and Meteorology to form a foundation for better understanding of topics in Biology and Anatomy.
Prerequisite: None
211 PHYSICAL SCIENCE
211 PHYSICAL SCIENCE
This course is designed to emphasize physics and chemistry principles that will help the students in future science classes or vocational programs. These principles will be taught through the context of astronomy, meteorology, geology and oceanography. This course is intended to enhance the students’ science foundation before taking on more intense lab courses such as Physics, Chemistry or Anatomy or vocational programs.
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and by teacher invitation only.
Dual Enrollment option with Grand Canyon University
220 BIOLOGY
220 BIOLOGY
Scholars explore movement of energy through biological systems, population dynamics, cell structure and how nutrients are used by the cell for life, bimolecular structures including lipids, proteins, sugars and DNA/RNA, genetics and heredity, evolution, classification, plants and comparative anatomy (dissections). Daily activities reinforce learning including frequent group presentations to assess learning (modeling in biology) to report findings and reflect learning. This course includes topics of human reproduction and evolution. Prerequisite: Grade of “B” or better in Algebra I or Geometry
227 HON. BIOLOGY
227 HON. BIOLOGY
Accelerated 220 course requirements taught through inquiry methods that expect scholars to take more control of their personal learning. Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
222 AP BIOLOGY
222 AP BIOLOGY
This course will qualify a student to sit for the College Board Advanced Placement test or Dual enroll through Grand Canyon University for Biology 181/181Lab credit. It is a vigorous course in introductory biology for majors. This course is a study of biological concepts emphasizing the interplay of structure and function, particularly at the molecular and cellular levels of organization. Cell components and their duties are investigated, as cell as the locations of cellular functions within the cell. The importance of the cell membrane is studied, particularly its roles in controlling movement of ions and molecules and in energy production. The effect of genetic information on the cell is followed through the pathway from DNA to RNA to protein.
Course content will also cover topic of evolution.
Prerequisite: Students must have complete a year of biology and a year of chemistry.
230 CHEMISTRY
230 CHEMISTRY
Energy changes affect matter through both physical (thermal and interaction energies) and chemical (breaking and reforming bonds). Scholars learn nomenclature, balancing chemical equations, mathematical processes including conversions, density, heat capacity, mole equations, stoichiometry, and gas equations. The process of scientific discovery is explored through the history of the atomic theory development and the men and women important to this process. Topics in acids, bases, reaction rates, nuclear chemistry, and basic organic chemistry are explored. Daily activities, labs and lab reports, as well as modeling techniques of drawing what the particles and energy are doing are used to obtain not only hands-on but minds-on understanding.
Prerequisite: Biology, Algebra 1
237 HONORS CHEMISTRY
237 HONORS CHEMISTRY
Course includes accelerated 230 Biology course requirements while going deeper into the history and scope of science in today’s world.
Prerequisite: Biology, Algebra 1 & teacher recommendation
215 HON. ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
215 215 HON. ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Scholars explore the form and function of the systems of the human body. This course begins with a review of the atom and biochemistry, the course progresses from biomolecules, to cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. Emphasis is placed on learning the bones, muscles, and all of the major organs. Systems reviewed include the skeletal, muscular, nervous, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, and reproductive. Scholars will also learn study techniques for success in college courses related to allied health and science. This course includes a unit on human reproduction and utilizes both artistic and real images of the human body. Dissection is a significant part of the learning process and several dissections are performed during the course.
Dual Enrollment option with Rio Salado College
231 HON. PHYSICS
231 HON. PHYSICS
This course is algebra-based Physics with a study of Kinematics, the reasons for, laws of and patterns in the motion of things. Common misconceptions are unraveled as scholars learn how to articulate a new and improved perspective of the physical world. New vocabulary as well as old vocabulary used in new ways helps scholars to communicate their findings in scientific inquiry activities. Forming and testing hypotheses by experimentation and analysis of the results are important parts of this process. Other components of Newton’s mechanical universe are studied, including Momentum, Energy, Vectors, and Optics. Once scholars master the concepts of rectilinear motion, they are introduced to curves, satellites and orbits. A capstone unit on harmonic motion, waves, sound and light finishes this course of study.
Prerequisite: Biology & Algebra II
Recommended for Seniors (12th grade)
Dual Enrollment option with Rio Salado College
235 A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME
235 A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME
In this cross curricula class scholars read, ponder and discuss the science classic A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. This class generates more questions than answers. Prepares scholars to think deeply, ask great questions and make connections between the different aspects of their lives.
Grades are based off of participation in discussion, reflective journals and projects as assigned by the teacher.
Prerequisite: Completion of 3 science classes.
236 TECH SCIENCE
236 TECH SCIENCE
Scholars will examine and discuss the influence of science-oriented classical thoughts (Nichomachus, Pascal, Descartes, Bacon, Newton, Franklin, Jefferson) on the experimentation and scientific discovery process. A series of hands-on experiments will be conducted with increasing amounts of scholar autonomy. Through these experiments, scholars will (1) follow another scientist’s steps in logical order and analyze/improve/evaluate those steps and the results they produce; (2) create their own steps towards a given goal and analyze/improve/evaluate their own steps to see why the desired/predicted results were not achieved; (3) decide whether or not the actual results are more desirable than the desired/predicted ones; (4) design their own experiment and carry it out to produce a formal report of their discovery. During the experiments, scholars will use classic and contemporary technology for data collection and analysis. After the experiments, scholars will learn how to create a professional report of their experiments and findings.
Prerequisite: Seniors only with teacher approval. Completion of at least 2 of the 3 required science classes. A scholar that has not completed the third credit by the beginning of this class must be concurrently enrolled in their third science class.
811 KEYBOARDING & COMPUTERS 1
811 KEYBOARDING & COMPUTERS 1
This class is an introduction to using computers for productivity in the academic environment. Keyboarding on the QWERTY keyboard requires practice time to become proficient at touch typing. Therefore, there are three components in the keyboarding class. First, typing practice is provided through a software as a service (Saas) environment. Typing lessons include teaching the layout of the modern qwerty keyboard, technique, and speed. Time is allocated so that each scholar is able to gain sufficient practice to know the keyboard well. Second, since typing happens in the context of a computer system, basic computer use is covered in lessons and practice. Students use the MS Windows operating system and become acquainted with basic file management, window operation, using network file systems, and launching and using application software. Focus is on MS Word. Third since understanding the principles of word processing in general is important, students are introduced to these concepts by using additional software such as LibreOffice. As students understand principles, they are more able to us available software whether it is Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other. Pagination, margins, academic formats such as MLA, source citations, graphical image inclusion and placement, lists, bibliographies, and charting features are covered in order to prepare students to be able to create and modify further academic work required in English, History, and other classes.
Prerequisite: None
825 HONORS COMPUTER
825 HONORS COMPUTER
The computer 1 class is offered to student using an approved curriculum from the Rio Salado course number CIS 105. This is a survey class and covers a broad range of current information technologies. The goals of this course are to provide a broad set of technology introduction to scholars in order to pique their interest in pursing something more specific in terms of technology as science, or technology as practice. Technology as science would include such disciplines as computer science, informatics, cybernetics Technology as practice includes work as a computer systems administrator, building data networks, applying information systems to business systems. The Computer I class prepares students to follow either track as it is a survey course covering hardware, data networks, operating systems, and application programs. The focus is on the Microsoft Office Suite including MS-Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Students are also exposed to cloud based applications including the Google Apps for Education. Scholars are also introduced to other operating systems (Linux) and virtualization. Scholars make use of the command line in Windows as well as BASH on Linux. Scholars are also introduced to web technologies write HTML, CSS and will be introduced to Javascript. The course also includes a brief introduction to relational data bases and how to use Microsoft Access.
Prerequisite: 811 Computers Class or teacher recommendation
Dual Enrollment option with Rio Salado College CIS 105
830 INTO TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
830 INTO TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
This is an introduction to programming. Work will include conceptual programming in addition to writing a LOT of code in the python programming language. The Python language allows one to focus on the work of breaking down problems and designing solutions. Python is used both as an interpreted language as well as a compiled system. Modern programming is done within the context of having access to documentation, tutorials, and access to social networks of computer programmers around the world so the Internet is heavily used. BASH programming will also be touched upon in order to see the basic concepts of flow control, logic, data types, etc. The JAVA programming language will also be considered, and compared with python. JAVA will force a stronger object orientation of program design and will allow an expanded view of our conceptual problem solving. It is expected the scholars will learn problem solving skills and be able to adapt a solution to utilize whatever language is available, thus making a good starting point for further study and practice of computer programming.
Prerequisite: 825 computer class
832 COMPUTER PROGRAMMING II
832 COMPUTER PROGRAMMING II
This course would have a prerequisite of Introduction to programming (830) and computer I (811). The course work would focus on building real world applications. Student would be required to build a completely working system as a project for the entire semester. The teacher/instructor would be available to guide the student, help select the scope of the student project, keep students on track and accountable, provide mentoring as needed. Applications would be development in current open source software stacks as approved by the teacher.
Prerequisite: 825 & 830 computer classes or teacher recommendation
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