Science
- Overview
- Guiding Documents
- Kindergarten
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
- Grade 6
- Grade 7
- Grade 8
- High School
Overview
SCIENCE PHILOSOPHY
The aim of the Madison Public Schools Science Program is to give each student the opportunity to satiate their innate curiosity and open their eyes to the wonders of science all around them. Students will regularly engage in problem-solving through exploration, experimentation and collaboration by creating innovative design solutions to local and global issues. This is accomplished by a curriculum that intentionally spirals content and skills with the goal of increasing complexity and critical thinking to enable students to build upon prior experiences as they grow as learners.
DELIVERY METHODS
The role of the science teacher will be to spark excitement for science through phenomenon-based units, which will allow students to develop questions that will guide the investigative and experimental process, leading to deeper engagement with the content as they work to uncover the scientific basis of a phenomenon. Students will engage in practices that will not only allow them to act authentically as scientists, but also allow them to hone important life skills such as using evidence to support claims, engaging in thoughtful discourse, asking questions, and critically thinking about and analyzing current research and issues.
STANDARDS
Our instruction incorporates National Science Standards, the Vision of Madison Public Schools and the 21st Century Capacities. The Next Generation Science Standards emphasize learning through immersion in science and engineering practices. As a result, our curriculum targets three-dimensional learning, in which students learn content through inquiry and engage in the Engineering Design Process. Science instruction goes beyond lessons that focus on disparate, discrete pieces of knowledge to instruction that is designed to enlighten students through exploration and that honors the interwoven concepts and patterns on which all science relies. Students will be required to analyze complex issues from multiple perspectives and a variety of sources to draw sophisticated conclusions and consider future implications and consequences on a local and global scale. Our curriculum development is driven by the necessity of ensuring that the content and experiences in which students engage are meaningful and relevant, not only to students, but to the global society.
Science Transfer Goals
Students will be able to…
- Make observations and ask questions to define a problem based on prior knowledge and curiosity that stimulates further exploration, analysis, and discovery.
- Use the scientific process to generate evidence that addresses the original questions.
- Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to interpret patterns, draw conclusions, and/or make predictions.
- Create models to explore complex systems, show mastery of key science concepts, and/or develop solutions through creation of a product open to testing and redesign.
- Evaluate scientific claims and analyze issues to verify the credibility of the source, data, and/or approach.
- Communicate effectively based on purpose, task, and audience to promote collective understanding and/or recommend actions.
Guiding Documents
Kindergarten
Kindergarten Science
A Plant's Life
In this unit, students will develop an understanding of how plants change and adapt to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. Students will observe how plants grow and change over time by adopting a tree as well as exploring the life cycles of apples and pumpkins. Students will "adopt" a tree on campus in order to observe the changes it undergoes throughout the seasons.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Weather Patterns and Predictions
Students will analyze the weather patterns they have been collecting throughout the year. Using this data, students will explore seasons and how living things change based on seasons. Students will learn how scientists predict the weather based on patterns and how weather predictions can help us make decisions. Students will revisit their "adopted" and record the changes that have occurred since the last observation in the fall.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Our Environment
At the start of the year, all Kindergarten classes began the Crayola ColorCycle program as a year-long experience in support of this final unit. This program recycles old markers and turns them into energy. This experience aligns with the focus of this final unit, which is Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. Students will engage with content that explores natural resources and why we need and use these resources and the impact that can have on the environment. Students will learn about upcycling as well as they develop solutions about how to manage the waste that is produced by human consumption. The unit will culminate with students creating a birdhouse or feeder from materials that would have been thrown out if not used to help birds survive in their environment.
21st Century Capacities: Design, Perseverance
Oscar the Grouch Marker Recycler
Madison Kindergarten classes have partnered with Crayola ColorCycle to turn used markers into energy in order to help our Kindergarten students make a real impact in support of their new science unit: Our Environment.
All around the elementary schools, students and teachers will be collecting used markers that are ready to be discarded. The markers will be sent to a facility where they will be converted into clean fuel. This fuel can be used to power vehicles, heat homes, cook meals and more!
You can help support our efforts by sending your students in with any used markers you may have around the house – even non-Crayola brands. A drop-off box will be located in the front hallway of each elementary school for your child to deposit the markers.
Grade 1
Science Grade 1
The Earth, Sun and Moon
Students will engage in the Engineering Design Process through the lens of NASA rocket engineers to begin their unit on the Earth, Sun and Moon. They will learn how rocket science led to our ability to explore our solar system and that engineers had to test many different rocket designs to ensure they could make one that accomplished their task. Students will create, test and improve paper rockets.
Students will analyze data to understand that there are observable, predictable patterns that explain natural phenomena, such as the lunar cycle, and seasonal patterns of daylight. They will explore this concept through modeling the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun that cause the different lunar phases. Students will synthesize their learning using a model they created of the Earth, Sun, and Moon to demonstrate the lunar cycle and the orbits of the Earth and Moon.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Forces and Motion
Students will explore forces and motion through a series of inquiry investigations that will help them visualize and experience the fundamentals of physics. Students will focus on inertia while experimenting with dominoes, marbles, and other toys and also creating several objects and designs that will demonstrate the laws of physics. Students will record the results of their investigations on a data table and use this data to explain their conclusions. The culminating project will require students to apply their understanding while they engage in the Engineering Design Process to improve the distance a "Boxcar" can travel by redesigning the car or track.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Design, Collective Intelligence
Sound and Light
Students will engage in several inquiry-based lessons that allow them to explore the properties of light and sound. Students will investigate how light can move and travel and how vibrations and sound are related. Students will apply their understanding of sound and light to explore how people and animals use sound and light to communicate. To conclude this unit, students will use their content knowledge and the Engineering Design Process to design and build a device that uses sound to communicate over a distance.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Design, Product Creation
Grade 1
In Grade 1, students began their science studies with a unit on the Earth, Sun, and Moon. During this unit, students participated in many activities to learn how the position of the Earth, Sun, and Moon cause the patterns we see on Earth, such as the lunar cycle and season. Students also engaged in the Engineering Design Process when they designed their own rocket ships and some students had the opportunity to share their designs and get expert feedback when they Skyped with a NASA Rocket Engineer! This unit also includes a visit to a planetarium so that students can develop a better perspective of Earth’s place in the universe.
Grade 2
Science Grade 2
Erosion
Students will experience the water cycle through a variety of hands-on investigations. Students will then apply their understanding of the water cycle to explore how water plays a role in changing the shape of land through the process of erosion. Students will see examples of how erosion has both created and destroyed landforms. This unit will culminate with a project in which students design a new town beach with prevention measures in place to prevent erosion.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Design
Matter: Solids, Liquids, and Gases
In this unit, students will explore the states of matter through the analysis and classification of different materials. Through hands-on activities, students will develop an understanding of the effects of temperature on various substances and how that may cause reversible or irreversible changes. Students will be introduced to atoms and molecules and their relationship to all types of matter. As a culminating experience, Students will use their understanding of the properties of matter, phase changes and chemical/physical changes to create a new solid or liquid to present to the class.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Plants and Animals
Through a variety of hands-on activities, students will explore the structure and function of plants and the interdependence of plants and animals within an ecosystem. Included in this unit is an interdisciplinary learning experience in math and science. This experience will build upon math skills developed in Grade 1 and emerging science content regarding plants and animals. After learning about the interactions between plants and animals through a visit to a local farm, the farmer will present students with a challenge about how to best grow plants indoors. Over the course of several weeks, students will plan and conduct an experiment, using math skills to take measurement data and share this data using a variety of mathematical representations. Students will create a bar graph, pictograph and line plot to communicate their findings and provide evidence-based suggestions for growing plants indoors. This information will be presented to the local farmer who originally presented the challenge.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Grade 3
Science Grade 3
Our Changing Land; Science and Social Studies Interdisciplinary Unit
This unit has been developed through an interdisciplinary collaboration between Science and Social Studies. Students will begin the unit by exploring maps of Connecticut and the geologic forces that have shaped the Northeast. Through the investigation of maps as well as the location of rock types and formations, students will be able to see evidence of the geologic history of our region. Students will move into the exploration of the natural resources that became available due to volcanic activity, glaciation, and erosion as they explore how early Americans used the natural resources for survival and how the quest for these resources shaped settlements, trading, and land use. Learning experiences will be infused with the scientific basis of these conclusions based on archeology and analysis of artifacts by scientists. Students will apply this understanding to Social Studies as they learn about where the Europeans settled in Connecticut, their interactions with native communities, and how Connecticut has developed into our modern society.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Decision Making, Alternate Perspective
Electromagnetic Forces
Throughout this inquiry-based unit, developed through a partnership with Central Connecticut State University, students will determine the cause and effect relationships of electrical or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other. Students will use magnets to apply their understanding of magnetic reactions and may define a simple design problem that can be solved with magnets. As a culminating experience, students will apply their understanding of electromagnetism to design, create and test a solution, using the Engineering Design Process, to a contamination spill where they will need to safely transport the contaminant.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Design, Collective Intelligence
Biomes and Adaptations
Students will engage in collaborative research to explore the abiotic and biotic factors that affect living things in terrestrial and aquatic biomes. Students will select an area of interest and create a project to showcase their learning through the use of non-fiction text structures and features. Throughout the research students will learn more about plant and animal adaptations, life cycles, and variation of traits as well as the adaptations that organisms have to help them survive in the climate in the given ecosystem.
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Grade 4
Science Grade 4
Ecosystems and Adaptations
The theme of the fourth grade year is "How do our actions impact the world around us?" Students will tackle this question throughout the year, culminating in a final project that asks the students to propose a solution to a local issue by writing to a vested party.
Students will develop their understanding of ecosystems through the lens of our local wetlands as students explore the inhabitants and their adaptations for survival and the importance of wetlands to our town. Learning activities will include food webs, impact of invasive species, the function of wetlands and human impact. This unit will include a field trip to Hammonasset State Park in the fall and will be revisited during a trip to Circle Beach in the spring where students will participate in tagging horseshoe crabs in support of Project Limulus. The culminating project for this unit will require students to create a creature with structural adaptations that enable it to survive in a given habitat.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Idea Generation, Design
Energy
This unit will help students formulate answers to questions such as "What is energy?" Students will gain an understanding that energy is present whenever there are moving objects, sound, light or heat.
Students will investigate how:
- energy can be transferred from one object to another and the faster an object is moving, the more energy it possesses;
- energy and fuels that humans use are derived from natural sources, and their use affects the environment in multiple ways;
- the expression "produce energy" refers to the conversion of stored energy into a desired form for practical use;
- some resources are renewable over time, and some are not.
As a culminating experience, students will use their knowledge of energy, energy transfer and renewable resources to design a windmill using the Engineering Design Process.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Design, Collective Intelligence
The Power to Bring Change
This unit is the final content piece in a year-long study of the essential question: "How do our actions impact the world around us?". During this unit, students engage in a variety of activities that tie together the previous two units as they explore the impact of the forces of nature on our local resources. Students will use their knowledge of force and energy in concert with their understanding of the need for resources, such as wetlands, in protecting us from natural hazards such as hurricanes. Students will research and analyze environmental issues as they prepare for a final interdisciplinary assessment. This assessment is a learning experience that will be a culmination of explorations in three content areas and the demonstration of standards from ELA (Common Core), Social Studies (C3 Frameworks) and Science (NGSS). Fourth grade students will continually examine and reflect upon the essential question as they engage in experiences from September-April. The targeted capacities of Citizenship and Analyzing are also practiced, developed and assessed in the sequence outlined in this plan.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Citizenship
Grade 5
Science Grade 5
Light and Waves
In this unit, students will build a conceptual understanding of the properties of light, energy, and waves, through the development of models that can predict and explain seen and unseen phenomenon. These phenomena involve the use of lenses, mirrors, and prisms. This unit will culminate in a project that synthesizes learning as students design and engineer unique constructions that utilize solar energy and manipulate light.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Design, Collective Intelligence
Earth's Place in the Universe
In this unit, students will inquire about celestial patterns observed in our world and outer space. By developing models, students will be able to analyze patterns and data related to Earth's rotation and revolution, axial tilt, and distance to other celestial bodies to form conclusions. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the law of universal gravitation and predict patterns of moon phases by analyzing images and data. The unit will provide ample opportunities for students to synthesize knowledge from data collected during their solar cooker trials as they gain a better understanding of Earth's motion and how it affects the results of their design and testing conditions.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Design, Collective Intelligence
Ecosystem Sustainability
In this unit, students will build upon their work with light and seasonal changes as they explore the necessary balance in ecosystems. At the start of the unit, students will be presented with a challenge to develop a sustainable agricultural technology. By the end of the unit, students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the principles of ecology and incorporate their studies of light and seasons for possible food sustainability in Connecticut.
In grade 6 students will continue to explore related issues in Science and Social Studies as they engage in the complexities surrounding global climate change and food and water insecurity.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Citizenship
Grade 6
Science Grade 6
Properties of Matter
Students will participate in many hands-on activities exploring the properties of matter. Phase changes, density, molecular movement and relevant mathematical calculations will be emphasized. This unit will include a design component as students will create an object to perform in a specific manner by applying their understanding of the properties of matter. In the culminating experience, students will move through several lab stations as they analyze the behavior of different examples of matter and demonstrate their understanding by explaining the phenomenon using content-specific science terminology.
The concepts explored in this unit will support students in Unit 2 when they apply their understanding of molecular properties to weather and climate.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Weather and Climate
In this unit, students will learn how weather forms as a result of the complex interactions between temperature, humidity, and air pressure. Through the study and creation of forecasts they will understand how other conditions play a role in weather. Additionally, students will learn how tools and technology are used to create forecasts and how these forecasts can be used both locally and globally. Working both independently and with their peers, students will practice real world skills in predicting and interpreting the weather. Students will apply their knowledge of weather, weather patterns and the cause and effect relationships of weather and weather systems to a culminating project investigating changes in Earth's climate. Students will be required to use graphs to interpret data and use this data to justify their claims regarding the future of Earth's climate, citing specific references to various locations around the world.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation, Citizenship
Human Body Movement
This unit was developed through a collaboration with Yale Professor of Biomechanical Engineering, Dr. Stuart Campbell, as part of a National Science Foundation grant. During this unit, students will investigate the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems from the cellular level through the organism level, by performing several inquiry-based lessons that will help students understand how the three systems work together to allow our bodies to move and function. Students will use Vernier sensors to graph and analyze heart rate and muscle strength and fatigue. As they navigate the content, they will have several experiences to design and build models to represent cells and body systems, culminating in the creation of a prosthesis that integrates all three systems.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Design, Product Creation
Grade 7
Science Grade 7
Ecology and Human Impact
This unit will focus on ecosystem dynamics as students investigate how changes to an ecosystem can have far-reaching effects. The unit will begin with an environmental phenomenon that students will work to decipher through their content investigations. Students will develop a model of an ecosystem, investigate the interdependence of the biotic and abiotic factors, and recognize how just one change can alter the balance of an environment. Students will further investigate ecosystem dynamics by performing an experiment on the effect of certain chemicals on aquatic environments. In doing so, students will be able to quantify how different concentrations of widely used pollutants can damage our local aquatic ecosystems and use this data to support their explanation for the environmental phenomenon that launched this unit. Students will engage in a debate or Socratic seminar as they navigate the intricacies of competing interests and plans for use of local resources. The culminating experience will ask students to develop and promote a pollution mitigation plan to help decrease water pollution in Madison, using scientifically-based justifications for their claims.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Citizenship
Geologic Processes
This unit will begin with a "fossil mystery" in which students will need to apply their understanding of geologic processes to propose an answer to this mystery and justify their solution with scientific evidence. Throughout this unit, students will be exploring various geologic processes such as continental drift, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes and apply their understanding of the processes to natural phenomena and recent geologic events. Students will also discover the process of how a scientific theory evolves and becomes accepted by examining the history of geologic discoveries and how these understandings helped us to recognize patterns that allow us to predict future geologic events. Students will use maps and data to provide evidence for their claims as they explain how geologic processes shape the Earth, ultimately making a prediction, based on data and calculations, of how the Earth will look in the future. Additionally, students will share their expertise by creating a children's book about a local geologic phenomenon of their choosing, that will be shared with our Grade 3 students as they also study this geologic history of Connecticut.
This unit has been divided into four learning arcs which, when taken together, create a picture of the geologic evolution of our planet.
Learning Arcs:
- Continental Drift
- Layers of the Earth
- Why is Earth an "active planet"?
- How does water shape the Earth?
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Forces and Motion
By performing several investigations that demonstrate the laws of physics, students will develop an understandings of the forces that are at work everyday in their lives. Students will begin the unit investigating the forces at work as our local Olympians fly through the air as aerial skiers. As students engage in hands-on, inquiry-based experiences they will uncover not only how these athletes use the laws of physics in their performance, but also how our world operates according to these laws. In order to engage in and quantify how Newton's Laws impact the world around us, students will apply their understanding of math and graphical analysis to solve physics problems and communicate experimental results. Students will demonstrate their understanding of forces and motion when they develop a testable hypothesis and procedure to test a race car and track that they have designed using the Engineering Design Process. At the end of the unit, students will tie together all of the concepts they have investigated as they create an original roller coaster design that requires them to employ this content explored during the unit to allow marbles to safely travel through the course.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Design, Collective Intelligence, Product Creation
Engineering PBL - Rube-Goldberg
Student will apply their understanding of the functionality of simple machines, that they gained during several inquiry-based experiments, to devise a Rube-Goldberg machine. The Engineering Design Process that students have utilized in prior grades will guide their planning and design through several iterations as they work to devise a machine that will complete a given task. At the conclusion of the unit, students will present their machine to the class and explain the physics behind each of the simple machines utilized in their design.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Design
Human Body Performance
Using Usain Bolt's sprinting abilities as an anchoring phenomenon for the unit, students will develop a deep understanding about the interdependence of the circulatory, respiratory, and excretory systems. Students will perform laboratory investigations that explore homeostasis by measuring heart and breathing rate and will apply graphing skills to quantify their results to demonstrate cause and effect relationships that maintain homeostasis. As students explore the body systems, they will develop their own model of the three systems working together. This model will be revisited and revised throughout the unit as new learning is uncovered. Students will also have the opportunity during this unit to use medical equipment that is utilized by healthcare professionals to assess health. Ultimately, students will demonstrate their understanding of the interconnection of the body systems by analyzing and applying their knowledge to case studies of human ailments and producing a final scientific model of the systems working together.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Product Creation
Grade 8
Science Grade 8
Astronomy
Students will demonstrate their understanding of how the relationship between Earth, Sun, and Moon cause the patterns and phenomena we experience as they explore these celestial bodies and their place in the universe. Students will develop an understanding of Earth's position and movement through space, reasons for the seasons, moon phases, eclipses, and tides as well as gain insight into space exploration. Students will make scientific discoveries through inquiry-based laboratory investigations, virtual labs, and problem-solving challenges. Students will be asked to create a visualization that will serve to correct misconceptions using scientific claims that are justified with evidence and data and ultimately make their learning visible as they create and deliver a narration to a science video.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Waves: Light and Sound
As students explore many natural phenomena by applying their understanding of light and sound waves, they will be gaining a deep understanding of how waves play a role in so many aspects of our lives. From communication to medical technology, the characteristics and properties of waves make our world what it is today. This unit will engage students in the investigation of waves as they work toward a culminating experience of developing a podcast that explains the science behind one of the many new technologies being developed and used to try to improve our world.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Product Creation, Citizenship
Electricity and Magnetism
Students will gain a great deal of experience working with the Engineering Design Process during this unit on Electricity and Magnetism. Students will explore both concepts primarily through an inquiry model where they will be asked to build a variety of tools with the materials and constraints provided. Students will need to not only apply the Engineering Design Process, but also learn to persevere and reflect on their learning process. Throughout each experience, students will be gaining knowledge and understanding of the magnetism, static electricity, electrons, circuits, to name just a few relevant and useful concepts.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Design, Collective Intelligence
Chemistry
Students will participate in many hands-on laboratory investigations as they move through concepts of atomic structure, chemical bonding, formula writing, periodic trends, endothermic and exothermic reactions balancing equations (stoichiometry), and the dynamics of acids and bases. Students will be able to synthesize and apply these concepts to a final laboratory experience where they will need to analyze the reactions to determine the reactants, products, type of reaction, type of solution produced and created a balanced equations to illustrate the atomic and molecular changes that occurred.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Natural Selection
Through the examination of several natural phenomena related to the evolution of adaptation in organisms, students will craft evidence-based explanations for traits that enable organisms to survive in their environment. Students will engage in a variety of simulations and examine case studies as they uncover the principles of natural selection that result in large variety of differences within and between species. As a foundation to this study, students will learn the basics about the genetic code and how sexual reproduction and genetic mutation give rise to the variations that are crucial for the success of populations.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Idea Generation, Product Creation
High School
High School Science
- Agricultural Science
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Chemistry for Health Science
- Conceptual Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Honors Biology
- Honors Chemistry
- Honors Physics
- Physics
- Conceptual Physics
- Environmental Science
- Infectious Disease
- Marine Science & Technology
- Physics and Engineering
Agricultural Science
Sustainable Agriculture
Students will explore the principles, concepts, and techniques of sustainable production of crops. This will cover biological, social, and economic components of sustainable farming systems; including soil and water management, cultural practices, pest control, and harvest. Studies of human activities that affect the condition of the atmosphere and how sustainable agriculture can be used to undo the damage caused to the earth's systems will be examined. Students will perform an analysis of traditional vs. industrial farming through the lens of alternative perspectives, competing interests, the increasing human population, and environmental protection. Ultimately, students will apply their understanding of farming techniques and environmental health to develop and justify a farming plan.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Alternate Perspectives, Decision Making
Greenhouse
This unit is designed to introduce students to gardening and horticulture techniques. Greenhouse time will be spent in the care of individual plant projects. In addition, students will spend time outdoors working on landscaping projects and caring for established plantings on school property and Bauer Farm. The students will learn to use reference sources in planning and implementing their projects. Throughout the course, students will be in the greenhouse germinating seeds and growing plants. Depending on the trimester, students will either grow plants that can be used for holiday decorations (mums, poinsettias, etc.) or plants that can be used for the Bauer Farm garden plot or home gardens (tomatoes, vegetables, herbs).
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Product Creation, Self-Awareness
Anatomy and Physiology
Organization of the Human Body
The unit is focused on the discovery of how healthcare professionals communicate with each other about how the human body is organized. Students will investigate the meanings and applications of various directional and landmark vocabulary that will be important to know in subsequent units. Students will be expected to apply their understanding of feedback mechanisms and homeostasis gained from a prior course in Biology as they investigate how each body system is reliant upon other body systems in order to function properly. The culminating assessment for this unit will be a student-created reference website that clearly explains a specific body system and correctly and appropriately uses anatomical terms. Important to note, this course is largely a student-directed, self-paced investigation of body systems of the students' choosing. Some units incorporate dissections, others do not. However, throughout the course, there will be an ongoing teacher-led dissection that will allow students the opportunity to examine all of a mammal’s body systems. If students prefer not to dissect or not to look at the teacher-led dissection, alternate learning experiences will be provided.
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Nervous System or Cardiovascular System
After performing experiments regarding the nervous and cardiovascular systems, the students will have the choice of which system they would like to investigate in depth. The nervous system unit will include an investigation of one sense of the student's choice. The cardiovascular system unit will include an investigation of a cardiovascular disease. Throughout the unit, students will work to uncover the details of their chosen system and develop a model and website to explain the structures and functions of the body system. The website, which will include the student-developed model, will be used for the summative assessment in which students will analyze a case study and determine the physiological cause of the symptoms. This unit will include a dissection. If a student does not want to participate in a dissection, they may opt to perform an alternate assignment.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Product Creation
Endocrine or Musculoskeletal System
After viewing images of the manifestations of various endocrine and musculoskeletal disorders, the students will have the choice of which system and disorder they would like to investigate in depth. Throughout the unit, students will work to uncover the details of their chosen system and develop a model and website to explain the structures and functions of the body system. The website, which will include the student-developed model, will be used for the summative assessment in which students will analyze a case study and determine the physiological cause of the symptoms.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Respiratory System or Digestive System
After performing experiments focused on the respiratory and digestive systems, the students will have the choice of which system they would like to investigate in depth. Throughout the unit, students will work to uncover the details of their chosen system and develop a model and website to explain the structures and functions of the body system. The website, which will include the student-developed model, will be used for the summative assessment in which students will analyze a case study and determine the physiological cause of the symptoms.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Blood or Immune Systems
After engaging in learning activities focused on the nervous and cardiovascular systems, the students will have the choice of which system they would like to investigate in depth. Throughout the unit, students will work to uncover the details of their chosen system and develop a model and website to explain the structures and functions of the body system. The website, which will include the student-developed model, will be used for the summative assessment in which students will analyze a case study and determine the physiological cause of the symptoms.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Biology
Energy and Matter in Ecosystems
This unit introduces students to the broad fundamental principles governing living things. Students will explore the integral parts of an ecosystem, specifically the linear flow of energy as it moves within and between organisms, and discover the natural, cyclical flow of matter as it moves within components of the biosphere. Throughout the unit, students will also explore how physiological changes in organisms can influence energy flow in an ecosystem. Students will be required to work collaboratively developing and revising a model that can be used to explain the Feeding Frenzy anchoring phenomenon, and also predict seemingly unknown but related phenomena.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Populations
This unit introduces students to selective pressures that affect populations that are driven by relationships among different organisms and between organisms, and nonliving factors within the biosphere. Students will explore population dynamics influenced by limiting factors such as predator-prey relationships, climate, and availability of natural resources. Students will investigate what factors lead to a balanced, healthy ecosystem and, through a case study, learn about how ecosystems become unbalance and the factors that cause this disruption.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Cellular Transport
This unit introduces students to life at the cellular level with an emphasis on cell structure and function. The purpose of this unit is to help students recognize that interactions within complex levels of organization between organisms learned in previous units originate from complex physiological interactions at the cellular level within a single organism. Students explore the regulatory function of the cell membrane as well as the physical property of solubility.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Design
Inheritance
The final unit brings together several concepts studied during the year. Students will investigate the relationship of DNA and chromosomes in the processes of cell division for growth, repair, and sexual reproduction. Students will uncover how genes are passed from parent to offspring and apply probability rules to determine the likelihood of passing on certain traits. As students engage in applying their understanding of genetics and inheritance to evolution, they will uncover how natural selection is driven by primarily by environmental changes and heritable genetic variations. Students analyze the genetic and physical changes in the populations of the ecosystem they explored in Units 1 and 2 as they examine how and why the populations changed following an environmental shift. In doing so, students will develop and justify scientifically-based explanations for the population shifts.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Biotechnology
Introduction to Biotechnology
This unit will provide historical context to the field of biotechnology including a survey of the industry, applications of biotechnology, steps in the production and delivery of recombinant DNA products, and the bioethical implications of these techniques. As this is a career-based experience, students will be using highly specialized equipment and laboratory procedures that are identical to a professional laboratory. As such, biotechnology lab safety and aseptic technique will be emphasized in this introductory unit in preparation for various laboratory investigations that will be conducted throughout the course.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Self-Awareness
DNA/Protein Structure and Function
This unit will begin with an overview of macromolecules with a focus on nucleic acids including both their structure and function. Students will then take a closer look at the mechanisms of both DNA replication and protein synthesis. Students will perform lab experiments which apply this content, such as an examination of the molecular basis for Drosophila (fruit-fly) eye color. The unit ends with a holistic look at how DNA and proteins play a role in the genetic flow of information, known as the Central Dogma (DNA → RNA → Protein → Trait).
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
DNA Analysis Using Restriction Enzymes
In this unit students will learn what restriction enzymes are, how they are used in nature, and how they can be exploited by the field of biotechnology for the purposes of DNA analysis and manipulation. Students will also be introduced to the common DNA analysis technique called gel electrophoresis. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) will be covered from the perspective of their use in forensic science, genetic markers for genetic disorders, and paternity tests, for example. This unit is lab-based and students will need to apply their content understanding from prior units to the laboratory investigations they will perform throughout the unit.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
DNA Analysis Using Gene Amplification
This unit will be taught primarily through an extensive, complex lab experience using the common industry technique called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Students will learn how to amplify, analyze, and manipulate DNA using PCR as they conduct a multi-day protocol. Students will be looking for a particular piece of DNA that is present in the genes of many people. Students will have the opportunity to use their own DNA, from their cheek or hair follicle, during this procedure, to determine if they have the gene in question. Students will also explore various applications of this technology in the field of biotechnology.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Bioinformatics
The field of Bioinformatics is a multidisciplinary field that leverages computer science, math, and information processing and analysis to interpret biological data. Students will explore the biological side of this field in their classroom as they utilize the laboratory procedures and techniques from prior units to extract DNA from fish purchased from various sources. In doing so, students will begin the process of genetically determining if the species of fish that is advertised is authentic or fraudulent. Students will then send out the extracted DNA for detailed genetic analysis and then analyze the results through an online bioinformatics tool (BLAST) to develop their conclusions. The bioinformatics tools students will learn to use are those provided on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Recombinant DNA Technology, Transformation, and Genetic Engineering
This unit will provide clarity on the course phenomenon of the "Glowing Axolotl" as students manipulate the genes of bacteria to insert a "glow gene". The unit will begin with an exploration of bacterial genetics including why bacteria are used extensively in biotechnology. Exploration of the bacterial chromosome and plasmids, operon structure and function, bacterial growth conditions/types of growth, and the importance of aseptic technique when working with bacteria will be emphasized. Students will also investigate the steps involved in the production of recombinant DNA, bacterial transformation, and selection of transformants. CRISPR Cas9 technology may also be introduced as a cutting edge technology for the creation of recombinant DNA. Students will be introduced to applications of recombinant DNA technology in the form of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for the creation of therapeutic compounds and other products and gene therapy.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Chemistry
Classification and Properties of Matter
UNIT 1
Students are introduced to Chemistry through the study and classification of matter and its properties at the macroscopic level. Students will deepen their understanding of the changes matter undergoes by performing laboratory investigations and observation of chemical phenomena which will allow the students to distinguish between chemical and physical changes. Students will also become familiar with the language of the course and the elements of the Periodic Table, which are the fundamental building blocks of all matter. Since all chemical changes involve energy, students are introduced to the concept that there is a single quantity called energy. Students will further investigate and learn through laboratory investigation that a system's total energy is conserved, and within the system, energy is continually transferred from one object to another and between its various possible forms.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence
Problem Solving and Precise Measurement in Chemistry
UNIT 2
In this unit, students learn how to make precise quantitative measurements as well as the importance of units and their relevance to scientific calculations. Students will develop the necessary mathematical skills for scientific study of data. Students develop an understanding of the meaning of exponents of ten and become proficient in calculations involving scientific notation as well as reviewing metric prefixes. Students are introduced to significant figures while using instrumentation in a chemistry lab followed by the rules for handling of significant figures in calculations. Students will then learn to solve problems using dimensional analysis, a problem-solving method that will be used throughout the year. Application of mathematical skills to the physical property of density is the basis for the culminating performance task.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Self-Awareness
Structure of the Atom and Nomenclature
UNIT 3
In Unit 3, students explore the Periodic Table and its versatility as the organizing framework for understanding the fundamentals of chemical behavior. Students explore groups on the Periodic Table as well as distinguishing characteristics and chemical properties. Students then take a deeper dive into their understanding of subatomic particles, the relationship between the particles and their relevance to atomic mass and isotopes. The last unit focuses on a study of chemical nomenclature, the highly structured process of writing names and formulas of ionic compounds, molecular compounds and organic compounds. The unit concludes with a student designed project where chemical nomenclature, compound classification, chemical formulas, their respective ratios and compound functionality are applied to everyday household items.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Idea Generation, Product Creation
The Mole, Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry
In Unit 4, the previous learnings of Units 1 through 3 are brought together in an integrated level of conceptual understanding as students begin an in depth look at chemical quantities, chemical reactions and the importance of both topics to the quantitative understanding of chemical reactions. Students will apply the fundamental concept of the 'mole' in order to count particles using the mass of a sample. Based on the mole concept, students will be able to determine the percent composition of a substance and deduce the empirical and molecular formula of an unknown compound. Ultimately, students will balance chemical equations and analyze the amounts of reactant and products involved in a chemical reaction. Students will apply these learnings in an inquiry style lab where the student will use an experimental mole ratio to determine the balanced chemical reaction that occurred.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Idea Generation
Electron Configuration and Periodic Relationships
Students will expand their understanding of the atomic structure with an emphasis on electrons in atoms and the relationship of electrons within the atom to physical and chemical properties. An in depth study of the electromagnetic spectrum is the anchoring phenomenon used to develop a model for the electronic structure of the atom. Through the evaluation of electron configuration, students will develop an understanding of periodic properties including ionization energy, electronegativity, and atomic radius, and the relationship to the valence electrons of each element.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Gas Laws
Students begin this unit by conducting a series of experiments to investigate the variables of temperature, pressure and volume and develop an initial model of what is happening at the molecular level. Through various hands-on activities, students enhance and deepen their understanding of the kinetic molecular theory of gases and refer back to and revise their models using their new learnings. The final project culminates in an inquiry style lab where students determine the density of carbon dioxide gas and demonstrate their ability to describe gas behavior and the gas laws both qualitatively and mathematically.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Idea Generation
Molecular Geometry and Intermolecular Forces
Students will deepen their understanding of chemical bonding between atoms and how the degree of electron sharing impacts the type of bonds between atoms. From here, students will learn how to use two dimensional Lewis Structures and the Valence Shell Repulsion Theory as the basis for predicting the shapes of small molecules as well as molecular polarity. Students will use this knowledge to identify the intermolecular forces present in a molecule and how these forces explain and predict the physical and chemical properties of that molecule. The unit will then explore the application of this phenomenon to everyday applications.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Chemistry for Health Science
Water and Solutions
An introduction to solution chemistry, Unit 1 will focus on the characteristics of water and solutions. Students will explore the polarity of water and its relevance to body chemistry, electrolytes, diffusion and osmosis, osmotic pressure (isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solutions for intravenous application), and ionization. Emphasis will be on the importance of ions in the body and units of concentration used in medications and intravenous solutions (percent, parts per million, and molarity). As a culminating experience, students will research the application of solutions, diffusion, and osmosis in the human body and/or medical field and present their findings to the class.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Organic Chemistry
As students engage in a variety of hands-on laboratory experiments, they will be developing skills necessary for laboratory investigations in a chemistry course while also learning about the types of molecules that are essential for life. These skills and understandings will support students as they advance in this course and any future chemistry courses. Content emphasis will be on the structure of organic compounds and how different functional groups impact the properties of organic compounds. To demonstrate their ability to apply their understanding from this unit, students will research the application of carbon compounds and their functional groups to either the medical field or physiology.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Product Creation
Pharmaceuticals
Students will investigate chemical structures and general properties of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and the relevance of nucleic acids as they seek to understand the natural polymers in the human body and how they function to maintain health. Students will explore the properties of medications with regard to how the structure of medicinal compounds relates to their functionality. Emphasis will be on the application of carbohydrates to medicinal drug choice (chirality of drugs), the role of lipids in cell membranes (statins and the biochemistry of cholesterol), and how enzymes regulate body processes. Students will have a culminating experience in which they will act as a pharmaceutical representative as they teach others about the specifics of a pharmaceutical drug.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence
Conceptual Chemistry
Nature of Matter
Chemical reactions are the focus of this first unit in Conceptual Chemistry. Students will understand how substances change and they will explore the Law of Conservation of Matter as they perform and analyze chemical reactions. Students will balance equations and apply their understanding of the periodic table and periodic trends to the types of reactions and the reactivity of different elements. Students will engage in a variety of laboratory experiments that will emphasize scientific inquiry skills such as collecting, analyzing, and communicating data with tables and graphs as well as making claims that are supported with data and evidence. Students will experience activities that will require them to follow safety protocols and appropriately use laboratory equipment. Students will work with mathematical conversions, commensurate with the level of challenge and rigor found in Algebra1.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Water and Solutions
This unit focuses on the unique structure of water and its ability to dissolve a variety of substances. Students will understand how substances dissolve in water and will be able to describe solutions in terms of concentration and particle interactions. Students will test various solutions to determine if they are electrolyte solutions and will be able to explain how electrolyte solutions conduct electricity. Students will use their understanding of density to determine the density of various beverage drinks by performing a laboratory experiment and interpreting qualitative data. Students will also get an introduction to acids, bases, and pH and will be able to distinguish between acidic, basic and neutral solutions. Students will engage in a variety of laboratory experiments that emphasize inquiry skills such as planning and conducting experiments, collecting, analyzing, and communicating data (creating and interpreting graphs). Students will have laboratory experiences that will support their understanding in Chemistry 2 if they choose to enroll in that class the following year.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Polymers
Polymers are the focus of the third unit in Conceptual Chemistry. Students will understand the basic structure of hydrocarbons (including alkanes, alkenes and alkynes) and they will explore how common functional groups impact the properties of hydrocarbons. Students will name and write formulas for various hydrocarbons. Students will differentiate between natural and synthetic polymers and will explore the chemical reactions used to synthesize polymers. Students will engage in a lab experiment where they will create bioplastics from various plant starches and will collect quantitative data on tensile strength. Students will analyze their data and will propose novel applications for the materials they have created. Students will have laboratory experiences that will support their understanding in Chemistry 2 if they choose to enroll in that class the following year.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Earth Science
Earth’s Place in the Universe
In this unit, students will explore the idea of how the universe may have formed. Students will learn about light and it's composition as well as how it can be used to identify, explain, and predict movements of celestial objects in our galaxy and beyond. Additionally, students will learn how the tools in astronomy and advances in technology are used to acquire information about distant celestial objects and their movements. Working both independently and with their peers, students will explore these concepts using science inquiry skills.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Earth as a System
In this unit, students will uncover the geologic cause and effect of some of the natural phenomenon that takes place on our planet. Students will analyze the interdependence of the fours spheres of Earth and the biogeochemical cycles that are integral to Earth's system and examine evidence to support the earth's composition, structure, and movements. Through the application of the concepts of density, force, heat, and heat transfer, students will be able to understand the forces that cause the movement of tectonic plates and how this movement causes events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Additionally, students will learn how the tools and techniques in geology, along with scientific observation and reasoning, can be used to explain earth's geologic features.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Spectroscopy Lab
Students set out to answer the questions: “How can atoms of different elements emit light of different colors or wavelengths”, and “How can the composition of a star be determined through spectroscopy?” To work toward answering these questions, students first completed this Spectroscopy Lab in which they evaluated the effectiveness of using spectroscopy as a technique for identifying an unknown substance. To do this, students observed the emission spectra of various isolated gases contained in discharge tubes, which is pictured below.
Honors Biology
Biochemistry
Students will begin their study of Biology by engaging in scientific investigations that allow them to hone their laboratory skills and refine and apply their understanding of proper experimental design. Through the lens of biochemistry, students will work through several complex laboratory experiments. Ultimately, students will plan and conduct their own experiment to develop a deeper understanding of the processes and properties that determine the function of macromolecules. Throughout this unit, students will learn the four major categories of macromolecules and their structures and functions and begin to uncover why these molecules are essential for organisms. As students move through this year of a molecular-based biology course, they will continually engage in content that requires an understanding of macromolecules. Student will not only apply prior knowledge of macromolecules to new situations, but also enhance and deepen their understanding of biochemistry as the year progresses.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence
Energy and Matter in Ecosystems
Students will explore ecosystems from the molecular level when they examine the processes that sustain life on Earth and through the macroscopic lens of ecosystem dynamics. Students will investigate what factors lead to a balanced, healthy ecosystem and, through a case study, learn about how ecosystems become unbalanced and the factors that cause this disruption. In doing so, students will need to apply their understanding of the cellular processes and chemical reactions that are required in an ecosystem to analyze graphical data and consider the viability of solutions capable of restoring balance. Students will apply the Laws of Thermodynamics and Conservation of Matter to the processes and ecosystems studied.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Product Creation, Analyzing
The Cell: Structures, Functions, and Feedback
Students will explore the cellular processes that govern organisms. Beginning with case studies that involve errors in cell functions, students will uncover basic cell types, organelles, and how the molecular structure of the cell membrane allows material to pass into and out of the cell. Students will use microscopes to examine cellular structures, compare on contrast cell types and tissues, as well as perform experiments that will help them visualize the movement of water into and out of the cell as it works to maintain homeostasis. Ultimately, students will return to the analysis of case studies as they apply their understanding of cell structure and function to scenarios that people frequently experience that are part of feedback mechanisms controlled by cell processes.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Design
Inheritance
Students will explore the molecular basis of inheritance of traits as they apply their understanding of cellular organelles and processes to how organisms pass traits from parents to offspring. Beginning with the study of the cell cycle, students will take a deeper dive into the cell as they learn about the structure and function of DNA and RNA, control of cellular reproduction and inheritance. Students will use basic mathematical probability to determine the likelihood of offspring expressing or carrying genes. Students will also learn about mechanisms such as mutation and nondisjunction that can result in unexpected changes to the genetic or chromosomal makeup of organisms. Ultimately, students will use all of the knowledge in this unit to analyze a genetic abnormality, explain how the change to the DNA sequence impacts protein synthesis, and how the lack of functionality in the protein manifests in the person.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Design
Mechanisms of Evolution
The final unit brings together several concepts studied during the year. As students engage in applying their understanding of genetics and inheritance to the mechanisms of evolution, they will explore the genetic basis of natural selection as well as the scientific evidence for evolution. As students analyze phylogenetic trees, adaptations, and examples of natural selection, they will be synthesizing their knowledge of molecular biology, inheritance, and populations. In order to demonstrate their understanding of the dynamic process of evolution, students will analyze examples of natural selection in species to make and justify scientifically-based claims regarding the mechanisms that drove the evolution of the species.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Inquiry
Honors Chemistry
The Structure of Chemistry
Students will begin their study of honors chemistry by describing matter on the macroscopic scale. Students will perform laboratory investigations and observe demonstrations of chemical phenomena in order to describe matter both qualitatively and quantitatively. Students will classify matter, describe chemical and physical properties of matter, and learn how to make precise measurements. Students will solve problems using dimensional analysis, a problem-solving method that will be used throughout the year. Students will apply proper laboratory skills as they perform laboratory investigations involving separation techniques and the use of a calibration curve to predict the sugar content of beverages.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence
Quantitative Calculations in Chemistry
Unit 2 begins with students learning the way to write chemical names and formulas for ionic and molecular compounds. Students will apply this knowledge in order to explore the microscopic domain of chemistry. That is, students will apply the fundamental concept of the 'mole' in order to count particles using the mass of a sample. Based on the mole concept, students will be able to determine the percent composition of a substance or deduce the empirical and molecular formula of an unknown compound. Ultimately, students will balance chemical equations and analyze the amounts of reactant and products involved in a chemical reaction. Throughout this unit, students will participate in hands-on activities and laboratory investigations in which they apply stoichiometric methods to quantify a chemical reaction.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence
Reactions in Aqueous Solutions
Students will explore three types of reactions occurring in water (the universal solvent); acid-base reaction, precipitation reactions, and oxidation-reduction reactions. Students will understand how to write and balance chemical reactions that take place in aqueous solutions, and how to predict and identify precipitates. Students will conduct several experiments to learn to recognize which specific groups of particles are involved in each reaction type. Titration experiments and gravimetric analysis experiments will be used to determine quantities of reactants and products involved in these reactions. The culminating PBA requires students to work with their lab partners to identify eight unknown solutions, based on analyzing the different reactions that occur when the unknown solutions are mixed with each other.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence
Gas Laws
Students will begin the Gas Laws unit by observing what happens when various items are placed inside of a bell jar. They will record their observations and draw models of what they think is happening at the molecular level. Throughout the unit they will refer back to and revise their model using their understanding of gas laws. Students will understand how gas laws describe and predict the behavior of gases. Students will use online simulations to observe the behavior of gases under various conditions and will observe several other gas laws demonstrations. Students will participate in a laboratory investigation to calculate the molar volume of a gas. Students will enhance and deepen their understanding of the atomic theory of matter and the kinetic molecular theory of gases.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence, Product Creation
Thermochemistry
Students will begin the thermochemistry unit with a phenomenon about endothermic and exothermic reactions. Students will explore how energy plays a role in chemical reactions throughout the unit by being absorbed or released during a chemical reaction. Students will use calorimetry and specific heat to quantify the heat change in a chemical reaction. Students will participate in a laboratory experiment where they will use an aluminum can as a calorimeter to determine the energy released when food is burned. This unit will draw connections between students understanding of the Law of Conservation of Matter and the Law of Conservation of Energy.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Design
Atomic Structure, Electron Configuration and Periodic Relationships
Students will describe the quantum mechanical model of the atom and explore the scientific evidence that led to the development of this model. By evaluating electron configuration and orbital diagrams, students will explain the Periodic Law. Building on this, students will apply their understanding of periodic relationships among elements to interpret and predict properties of elements including ionization energy, electronegativity, and atomic radius, are related to the valence electrons of each element.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Chemical Bonding, Molecular Geometry, and Intermolecular Forces of Attraction
Students will focus on bonding in ionic and covalent compounds, through constructing Lewis dot diagrams through which students will show how electrons are shared in covalent bonds. Students will learn that, on a continuum bonds, range from equal sharing of electrons to unequal sharing of electrons, to an effective transfer of valence electrons from one atom to another. The bond type is predicted through evaluation of electronegativity, a periodic property, and the differences in electronegativity between bonding atoms. Students' understanding of Lewis structures, resonance, and the use of formal charge to assess candidate structures for a molecule, will lead to the study of three-dimensional shapes of molecules. Students will learn that the shapes of molecules will vary depending on the number of atoms and electrons involved and that molecular shapes can be predicted using the Valence Shell Repulsion Theory (VSEPR). The presentation of three bonding theories (Lewis, Valence, and Molecular) will lead students from diagrams of Lewis structures, to the prediction of shapes, bond angles, molecular polarity, to hybridization of bonding orbitals, which in turn explains the different bond angles that we can measure. Knowing the shape and subsequent polarity of a molecule, students will be able to explain and predict the physical and chemical properties of that molecule. The culminating experience for this unit sets the stage for students to create a video which follows the evolution of material science through an analysis of compositional changes of a consumer product, through the ages.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Physical Properties of Solutions
In this unit, students will focus on the role of intermolecular forces in the dissolving process and the physical properties of the resulting solution. Solubility is presented as an imbalance between solvent-solute bonds and the sum of bonds holding the solute together and the bonds holding the solvent together. Students will characterize physical properties of solutions (such as osmotic pressure, boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, and vapor pressure lowering) in 16 case studies which demonstrate how these properties affect real-life occurrences.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Unknown Aqueous Solutions Lab
In this experiment, students were given deionized water and a set of seven solutions, identified only as A-H with a number. By combining solutions with each other and observing the reactions, students determined the identity of each unknown. Students then wrote the net ionic equations for precipitation and acid-base reactions.
Honors Physics
Kinematics
Throughout this unit, students will explore one dimensional and two dimensional, projectile, motion. Beginning with evaluating the nuances of distance vs displacement and velocity vs speed, students will learn about scalars versus vectors and how they affect signs and acceleration. Students will discover the various graphical representation of motion and will apply this knowledge to critically analyze motion graphs. Students will expand upon this prior knowledge in linear motion, to begin evaluating two-dimensional motion. Beginning with demonstrations that pose questions about two-dimensional motion, students will explore the relationship between horizontal and vertical motion of objects. Ultimately, students will be evaluating motion to determine the range (landing position), maximum height and time in the air for a given projectile. Students will be able to solve numerical word problems and extend these skills to solve for multiple physical variables.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Forces
Students will explore forces as being a push or a pull. They will begin by evaluating if a system of forces is balanced or unbalanced. They will be introduced to the creation of free body diagrams as a modality to analyze and survey motion in order to determine if the motion is, or is not, accelerated. Students will explore Newton's three laws of motion and apply their understanding to real life situations. With this new understanding, students will explore the principle of force of frictions as an application of Newton's Third Laws of Motion. Ultimately, students will be using these skills to help them understand the Physics of a person skydiving as well as other complex concepts like Atwood machines and inclined planes. At the end of the unit students will explore the concept of torque as well as balanced and unbalanced situations of torque and apply this knowledge in analyzing objects in static equilibrium.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Idea Generation, Analyzing
Circular Motion
Students will explore and analyze objects that move in a circular path. This analysis is based on prior units, however, allows students to apply their reasoning and problem solving to specific real world situations with which they are familiar, such as; why they feel like they are pushed to the outside of a car when the go around a curve, why they lift off their seat at the top of a roller coaster hill and why they feel heavy at the boom of the Ferris wheel. This unit will lead them into the next unit which is the study of the motion of satellites and celestial bodies.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Gravitational and Planetary Motion
In this brief unit, students apply their knowledge of circular motion and forces to analyze the motion of man made and natural (celestial) satellites. Students will study the laws of physics that govern the motion of planets, moons and the universal law of gravitation that holds the universe together. As a culminating experience, students will determine the mass of Neptune using the Law of Gravity and their understanding of circular motion from the prior unit.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Work and Energy
Students will explore three different types of mechanical energy: kinetic energy, potential gravitational energy, and potential elastic/spring energy as well as conservation of energy, the work-energy theorem, and power. Students will begin by analyzing the three common types of mechanical energy (kinetic, potential gravitational, and potential elastic). They will analyze the transformation between these types of energy to uncover the conservation of mechanical energy and the transformation of energy from one form to another. They will continue by analyzing the transformation of work in energy and energy into work in order to uncover the work-energy theorem. Students will also engage in real-life application of this theorem as they explore mechanical energy. Students will also investigate the six types of simple machines and their advantages and disadvantages. Students will learn how to calculate actual mechanical advantage, ideal mechanical advantage, and efficiency. Finally, they will uncover the rate the energy transfers is called power. As a part of this unit, students will also spend time looking at the importance of units and unit conversions in calculations and understanding of what units and numbers really mean.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Momentum
This unit focuses on Newton's Third Law of Motion, specifically on the resulting change in motion on two objects when they collide, and the effect of an object exploding on the resultant pieces of the object after the explosion. Students will look at the impact of safety features in automobiles (seat belts, air bags, crumple zones) and why they are designed and how their implementation results in less force on the driver. Ultimately, students will apply their understanding of the content to analyze a car crash and present their scientifically-based conclusions in a mock trial.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Idea Generation
Electrostatics
This unit focuses on the electric field, and the electrostatic force between charged objects. Through this unit, students will extend their knowledge of the Field to include electric fields, and find correlations between the law of gravity and the Coulombs law of electrostatic force. Students will apply their prior knowledge of forces, motion and the atomic model of the atom to analyze situations and problem sets. This unit provides foundational knowledge for the study of electricity.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Idea Generation, Analyzing
Electricity
Students will perform investigations into the behavior of series, parallel and combination electric circuits. Students will design circuits for specific behavior with a focus on an analysis of household circuitry. Electric power and the cost of electricity will be studied, in addition to AC and DC electricity.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Idea Generation
Magnetism
In this unit, students learn the relationship between electricity and magnetism, by exploring the impact of moving electrons has on both. In this highly interactive and lab based unit, students apply fundamentals of physics to experience how motors, generators, speakers, compasses and other real-world devices function. Students will have the opportunity to fabricate devices that take advantage of forces caused by changing magnetic fields. Students will also explore how the earth's magnetic field affects life on this big beautiful blue marble hurling through space at 67,000 mph around the sun in a solar system hurling 514,000 mph around the galaxy.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Vibrations and Waves
Properties of waves are introduced as we explore the wave velocity equation by finding the frequency and wavelength of different types of waves. Simple harmonic motion is introduced with a discussion of spring force and spring potential energy, pendulums and other oscillatory motion and how that motion relates to waves. Throughout the unit, students will apply the fundamentals of wave characteristics to different scenarios and problems. Students will integrate prior units (force, energy) and integrate this content into their analysis. This unit serves as a fundamental base for the student of sound and light.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Sound
Students will continue building on their prior knowledge from the previous unit, waves, and apply it to understanding musical instruments and everyday technologies like Doppler effect. Students will start by exploring the mechanics of sound in wind and stringed instruments and relate instrument design to pitch. They will continue by exploring harmonic frequencies and their relationship to the instruments' quality and timbre. Ultimately students will explore advanced topics as Doppler effect, beat frequency and sound transmission in various media.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence
Light and E-M Radiation
Students will explore electromagnetic radiation with emphasis on visible light. They will begin by exploring electromagnetic radiation and its spectrum in order to correlate frequencies and wavelengths. They will also explore the relationship between the frequency of a wave and its energy and real life applications of this principle. They will further evaluate the relationship between frequency, wavelength and speed as quantitatively described in the wave equation. They will continue exploring light and electromagnetic radiation's Law of Reflection and the principle of refraction and how it manifests in real life in terms of color mixing and polarization. Ultimately students will apply their new learning in exploring Ray diagrams for converging and diverging lens as well as for converging and diverging curved mirrors. If time allows, students will explore lenses as they relate to optical instruments and the functioning of the eye.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence
Modern Physics
This survey unit covers applications of areas of Modern Physics, including the Photo Electric effect, electron transitions and isotopic emission spectra, Special and General Relativity, Matter-Energy relationships, nuclear decay and fusion and a brief introduction to elementary particles (beyond the proton-neutron-electron). The majority of the unit will be student-driven as they complete and present a research project in an area of modern physics in which they are interested.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Collective Intelligence, Product Creation
Physics
Kinematics
Students will explore one dimensional motion. Beginning with evaluating the nuances of distance vs displacement and velocity vs speed, students will learn about scalars versus vectors and how they affect signs and acceleration. With this new understanding of vectors and scalars, students will embark on problem solving techniques, experiments, and graphical analysis of motion. As a part of this unit, students will also spend time looking at the importance of units and unit conversions in calculations and understanding of what numbers really mean. Ultimately, students will be using these skills to help them develop their own procedures for an end of unit project.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Design, Collective Intelligence
Projectile Motion
Students will expand upon prior knowledge in linear motion, to begin evaluating two-dimensional motion. Beginning with demonstrations that pose questions about two dimensional motion, students will explore the relationship between horizontal and vertical motion of objects. Students will continue to develop their understanding of vectors and scalars. Ultimately, students will be evaluating motion to determine the landing position of a projectile.
This unit focuses on the study of motion in two directions and the analysis of projectiles.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Forces
Students will explore forces as being a push or a pull. They will begin by evaluating if a system of forces is balanced or unbalanced. They will be introduced to the creation of free body diagrams as a modality to analyze and survey motion in order to determine if the motion is, or is not, accelerated. Students will explore Newton’s three laws of motion and apply their understanding of which to real life situations. With this new understanding, students will explore the principle of force of frictions as an application of Newton's Third Laws of Motion. Ultimately, students will be using these skills to help them understand the Physics of a person skydiving.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing
Circular Motion
Students will explore and analyze objects that move in a circular path. This analysis is based on prior units, however, allows students to apply their reasoning and problem solving to specific real-world situations that they are very familiar with; why they feel like they are pushed to the outside of a car when they go around a curve, why they lift off their seat at the top of a roller coaster hill and why they feel heavy at the boom of the Ferris wheel. Students apply their knowledge of circular motion and forces to analyze the motion of man-made and natural (celestial) satellites. Students will study the laws of physics that govern the motion of planets, moons and the universal law of gravitation that holds the universe together.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Collective Intelligence
Work and Energy
Students will explore three different types of mechanical energy: kinetic energy, potential gravitational energy and potential elastic/spring energy as well as conservation of energy, the work-energy theorem and power. Students will begin with analyzing the three common types of mechanical energy (kinetic, potential gravitational, and potential elastic). They will analyze transformation between these types of energy to uncover the conservation of energy theorem. They will continue with analyzing the transformation of work in energy and energy into work in order to uncover the work-energy theorem. Students will also explore the six types of simple machines and their advantages and disadvantages and uncover how to calculate actual mechanical advantage, ideal mechanical advantage and efficiency. Finally they will uncover that the rate the energy transfers is called power. As a part of this unit, students will also spend time looking at the importance of units and unit conversions in calculations and understanding of what units and numbers really mean.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Design
Waves and Harmonic Motion
Students will explore the anatomy of waves, types of waves, and wave interactions. Students will begin with analyzing common oscillators, objects which make repetitive motions (such as pendulums and springs). Through this analysis, students will uncover the periodic motion of oscillators and waves, as well as what factors dictate their motion. Ultimately, students will analyze how information can be transmitted on waves.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Idea Generation, Design
Waves and Sound
Students will continue building on their understanding of waves to apply it to understanding musical instruments and everyday technologies like Doppler effect. Students will start by exploring the mechanics of sound in wind and stringed instruments and relate instrument design to pitch. They will continue by exploring harmonic frequencies and their relationship to the instruments' quality and timbre. Ultimately students will qualitatively analyze the Doppler effect and relate the increase apparent frequency to an object (moving vehicle or a moving galaxy) approaching and the apparent decrease in frequency to an object going away from the observer.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Collective Intelligence
Light
Students will explore electromagnetic radiation with emphasis on visible light. They will begin by exploring electromagnetic radiation and its spectrum in order to correlate frequencies and wavelengths. They will also explore the relationship between the frequency of a wave and its energy and real life applications of this principle. They will further evaluate the relationship between frequency, wavelength and speed as quantitatively described in the wave equation. They will continue exploring light and electromagnetic radiation's Law of Reflection and will qualitatively explore the principle of refraction and how it manifests in real life in terms of color mixing, polarization and curved mirrors. If time allows, students will explore lenses as they relate to optical instruments and the functioning of the eye.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Design
Physics - Experimenting With Waves
Conceptual Physics
Forces and Motion
Students will explore the relationship between forces on an object and the motion of that object. Students will examine how physics operates in everyday life as well as the objects they create in class. Students will engage in lessons that challenge them to use the scientific process as they perform several inquiry-based experiments to uncover and investigate fundamental principles of physics, such as acceleration and velocity. Students will practice important science skills such as metric system measurements and conversions as well as creating and analyzing graphs.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Design
Energy and Momentum Conservation
Students will explore how energy is converted from one form to another, and how energy can be transformed into useful work, as mechanical and electrical. Students will investigate how energy and momentum are related to one another, particularly in cars and car crashes. Ultimately, students will apply their understanding and skills to design novel approaches to safety devices that can be used to protect people. Students will be required to apply mathematical and graphical analysis to their data as they interpret and communicate their results.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Design
Environmental Science
Earth as a System
Students will uncover the dynamic interaction between the Earth's four spheres and how the process of each sphere allow Earth to be a naturally self-sustaining system. Students will explore the transfer of energy and recycling of matter as they explore the biogeochemical cycles and how they function within and between Earth's spheres. Students will begin to participate in citizen scientist data collection that will continue throughout the course, as they gather baseline data to inform their understanding of natural cycles and man-made disturbances to the environment. Throughout the unit, students will develop a model of Earth's natural processes that support sustainability and use this model to explain the science of Earth's systems to a mock Congressional Panel.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Product Creation
Unit 2 Human Impact
Students will apply their understanding of Earth's ability to self-sustain as they investigate some of the causes that disrupt Earth's delicate balance. Students will analyze how human population growth and consumption has impacted all spheres and cycles in the environment. Students will uncover the far-reaching consequences of consumption for both needs and wants as they analyze the science that governs these issues. Students will also consider alternate perspectives and interests that influence conversation and policy. Students will take on the role of citizen scientists as they plan and conduct data-gathering experiments at the local level to assess air and water quality. Students will use sensors to assess air quality and use chemical and physical analytical techniques to assess water quality. Students will also tackle specific global environmental issues, from a scientific perspective, in a topic of their choosing, for an Earth Day campaign and an Environmental Symposium.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Product Creation
Unit 3 Innovation and Promise
UNIT 3
Students will be exploring the innovative ways people are developing to help humanity achieve a sustainable relationship with the natural environment. Students will engage with many emerging products and practices that are working to mitigate the negative consequences of modern society on the environment. This final unit is largely research-based and requires students to learn about a new technology that aims to resolve an environmental issue and develop their own version that can be implemented here in Connecticut. Students will need to apply their understanding of environmental science to demonstrate how this new technology improves environmental quality. They will then work to persuade a panel of judges to invest in this new product or process, while accurately explaining the science that governs its efficacy and justify the need for the technology by discussing the consequences of inaction.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Idea Generation, Design
Infectious Disease
Outbreak!
This introductory unit will expose students to the triad by which all infectious diseases operate. This will serve as a foundation for students to research one disease through the lens of the triad by which epidemiologists analyze diseases. Topics to be explored include: types of pathogens, factors that cause the spread of disease, mechanisms of infection, vaccines, treatments, evolution of pathogens and the development of resistance to treatment.
Special thanks to Dr. Linda Niccolai and Dr. Danyell Stewart for their assistance in the development of this course.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
The Agent
Students will explore the world of microbiology as they investigate microbes to better understand how pathogens are able to cause disease, become resistant, and spread through vectors. Students will be able to classify and differentiate various types of pathogens with an emphasis on treatment and prevention of different pathogenic illness. Students will utilize standard laboratory procedures, such as gram-staining and bacterial culturing, including interpretation of the zone of inhibition and microscopic analysis, as they analyze a case study of a person suffering from a mysterious illness. Students will grapple with global issues with regard to the factors that influence the susceptibility of different countries to the spread of disease as well as how globalization has increased exposure to pathogens. Additionally, students will engage in discourse about the various societal issues impacting disease transmissions such as the availability of medicines for treatment and prevention as well as the ongoing concerns about vaccines and overuse of antibiotics and the associated consequences. Ultimately, students will synthesize their understanding of infectious disease, treatment, and transmission as they analyze and diagnose a patient and propose a scientifically-supported prevention plan.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Inquiry
Marine Science & Technology
Unit 1 - Science - Ecosystems
Science – Ecosystems
In this unit, coastal ecology will be explored including, the rocky shore, sandy shore, estuaries, and salt marsh. Interdisciplinary projects will also be incorporated to widen the student’s understanding of maritime-based careers and life. Students will work to identify problems, conduct scientific studies, analyze data and offer solutions to help improve our local ecology. Field studies on each marine ecosystem will be done to support student understanding of the concepts in this unit. Units like this one, where students use their hands, help them build confidence and problem-solving skills useful for life's experiences.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Unit 3 - Science - Water Quality and Its Effects on Living Systems
Science - Water Quality and its Effects on Living Systems
In this unit, water chemistry will be explored through the raising of trout in the classroom and environmental testing of the Hammonasset River and local shell fishing beds. Hammonasset and shellfish bed water quality and population of soft-shelled clams will be assessed by the students through hands-on activities and partnerships with the Town of Madison town engineer and shellfish commission. Water testing results will be forwarded to the state and be used as a base data set. Field studies on the Hammonasset River and local shellfish beds will be conducted to reinforce the unit concepts and add to the longitudinal data used to assess the health of Long Island Sound. Units like this one, where students use their hands, help them build confidence and problem-solving skills useful for life's experiences. With appreciation to Robert Russo, Office of Town Engineer, for his help with the development of the water quality testing experiences.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Unit 1 - Tech - Protocols and Boating
Tech - Protocols and Boating
In this unit, students will learn how to safely use a variety of hand and power tools in a shop-based environment to build a Field Trip Tool and start on their fishing rod or landing net project to get familiar with shop tools and practices for later use in their Interdisciplinary project. Students will take a short safety exam to ensure that they can work in a safe and respectful manner. The goal of each student is to learn how to reflect and persevere along each step of a procedure list when building their field trip tool. Students will also learn Boating Safety. As a result of the content in this unit along with successful completion of the state of Connecticut (CPWO) assessment, students will be eligible to obtain a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) through the CT Sportsman Database. This is required to operate a powerboat or vessels over 19 1/2 feet on all state waterways.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Product Creation, Self-Awareness
Unit 3 - Tech - Product Creation
Unit 3 Tech - Product Creation
In this unit, students will safely use a variety of hand and power tools in a shop-based environment to complete their fishing rod, landing net project and the engineering component of their Interdisciplinary project. Students will also be responsible for maintaining the class boat used for school experiments. The PBA will have students construct the engineered solution from the independent project proposal from trimester 1.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Idea Generation, Product Creation, Self-Awareness
Unit 2 - Independent Study
Independent Project: Fall Trimester
The purpose of the Marine Science and Technology Independent Project is to explore marine-related issues through an approved project of their own design. This will help students become more independent, develop perseverance, and become better critical and creative thinkers to help them plan their futures. The entire course examines the chemical, biological and geological properties of the sound as well as marine-related careers from boat building to aquaculture. Boat construction, fishing rod building, maintenance of organisms, physical, chemical, and ecosystem studies related to oceanography are part of this “hands-on” course. Select field trips support the curriculum and provide experiences that students can apply to their individual projects as well as provide practical school to career experience.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Idea Generation, Citizenship
Unit 4 - Final Presentation
Independent Project: Final Presentation
The purpose of the Marine Science and Technology Independent Project is to explore marine-related issues through an approved project of their own design. This will help students become more independent, develop perseverance, and become better critical and creative thinkers to help them plan their futures. The entire course examines the chemical, biological and geological properties of the sound as well as marine-related careers from boat building to aquaculture. Boat construction, fishing rod building, maintenance of organisms, physical, chemical, and ecosystem studies related to oceanography are part of this “hands-on” course. Select field trips support the curriculum and provide experiences that students can apply to their individual projects as well as provide practical school to career experience.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Citizenship
This two trimester course, which is an interdisciplinary with CTE, providing 0.5 credits in Science and 0.5 credits in CTE, is a very hands-on course. In this course, students will be out in and around Long Island Sound. Students will receive their Safe Boaters Certificate and conduct some classes on the water. Students will also be making tools for field trips and a fishing rod or net as part of their assessments.
During both trimesters (Fall and Spring) students will work to solve a problem in our local ecosystem. They will construct a device to solve this problem during the wood shop portion of the class. Students will also be maintaining the classroom fish tanks. Our trout tank that is currently hosting 200 eggs that will hatch soon. Stay tuned for more pictures and updates here! These trout will be released into a local river in the spring by our Marine Science students. Students will also be testing local water for pollutants and providing this official information to the State of Connecticut through a partnership with the Madison Assistant Town Engineer, Robert Russo. You can read more about Mr. Russo’s involvement in the Science Curriculum online.
Physics and Engineering
Modeling and the Engineering Process
During this introductory unit, students will begin to apply the Engineering Design Process and principles of physics to a variety of modeling activities. Students will explore these concepts through laboratory activities as well as computer simulations as they learn the MatLab software program. This program is widely-used at the college level to allow students to create and test models through online simulations. Students can simulate tests, gather data and use this data to revise their models, develop a deeper understanding of the principles of physics and learn the underlying patterns and relationships that govern the study of physics. Specifically, students will apply their experience to predict the rate of fall of a set of "non-ideal" objects, simulating the work done by NASA and SpaceX when designing spacecraft.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Interfacing Hardware and Software
During this unit, students will develop tools and techniques for bringing data generated in the real (analog) world into the computer (digital world). Real world data analysis often struggles to get high fidelity data into the computer; sampling rates can limit the precision of data and introduce inherent errors. Data can be read into analysis software either in real time, or subsequent reading of data that a data acquisition system stores in a file or on board in memory. Students will develop techniques and algorithms to interface their modeling system to standard data acquisition systems. Ultimately, students will apply their knowledge to solving a real-world problem involving data acquisition and analysis.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Asteroid Warning!
Students will apply their knowledge of the universal law of gravitation to analyze the threat of near earth objects to our planet and/or our moon. Students will apply knowledge of computer modeling to model the behavior of a moving object to predict its future position given the presence of multiple external forces. This unit allows students to communicate complex models and complex data into a simple graph or pictorial representation for a wider audience. Students will research the challenge of detecting near earth objects (NEO) and build a system to predict if an object (comet, asteroid, etc.) will crash into the earth.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation
Rockets
Students will build a mathematical model of the flight of a rocket based on theory. Students will build different rocket designs and test their flight characteristics. Using real time data monitoring and acquisition, students will analyze flight data taken from rocket launches in a computer model that they build. This model will be used to make design modifications and ultimately improve the flight of their model. Students will program models in the MATLAB computer system, and present their findings to the class. A strong focus is placed on modeling non-ideal conditions, in an effort to move from the theoretical world of the text book to the real world that engineers deal whit on a daily basis.
Profile of a Graduate Capacities: Analyzing, Product Creation