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Salt Lake Center for Science Education

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Sciences

Sciences

    • Physics 
    • Amanda Eiting
    • Email: amanda.eiting@slcschools.org

    In Physics, students will gain an understanding of the natural world that form the building blocks for the rest of their high school science career. Expect to get outside, experiment, and develop a deeper understanding of the scientific process and physical laws of matter, through hands-on labs and experiential opportunities.

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  • A group of young people smile for the camera outdoors on a sunny day.

    • We believe all students can acquire and use science skills to solve real world problems. Our teaching focuses on hands-on experiences within and beyond the classroom walls that fosters critical thinking, a strong science identity, and a joy in learning.
    • We offer twice as much instructional time in core science classes to provide additional time for lab investigations, integration of math concepts, and developing cross-curricular connections. 
    • We are a physics first school. All 9th grade SLCSE students take physics. Physics serves as a great foundation for other sciences by starting with engageable, tangible scientific concepts. Students learn to construct models to explain and predict phenomena, which prepares them to apply their modeling and conceptualization skills to increasingly abstract and complex concepts and science courses.  
    • Our science sequence progresses through 10th grade Chemistry, 11th grade Biology, and 12th grade science elective of student choice.

    • Geology – ½ year, offered every other year 
    • Astronomy – ½ year, offered every other year 
    • Medical Forensics 
    • AP Environmental science – offered every other year 
    • Medical anatomy and physiology – offered every other year 
    • Bio Agriculture – offered every other year 
    • Advanced science research 
    • Science buddies 
    • Intro to Health Science 
    • Psychology 
    • An honors option is offered outside of the science classroom. The honors experience focuses on providing enrichment opportunities for any interested student. 

  • Chemistry explores the world around us with nano-glasses. We will be exploring familiar things in unfamiliar ways: through the lens of the tiny. We will use the core curriculum to engage in a variety of themed units and real world problem solving Our units will include:  

    • From Alchemy to Chemistry: cooking up some historical recipes. 
    • Down the Drain: an investigation of elements in our water. 
    • Who dunnit?: a Chemistry-based Forensic Science Unit.  
    • Energy and Environment: how should we power our society? 
    • Biodiesel as a student-made alternative fuel.  
    • Individual Student Research. 

    • Chemistry Spanish
    • Chemistry English

  • Biology 

    Shea Wickelson

    • Email: shea.wickelson@slcschools.org
    • This class follows the UTAH SCIENCE WITH ENGINEERING (SEEd) STANDARDS (implemented 2020). These are the current Utah Core Standards as set by the Utah State Board of Education for high school biology credit. SEEd standards are closely aligned with the national Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) that have been widely adopted across the nation.
    • The curriculum is centered on melding the “3-dimensions of science: the biological concepts with the science and engineering practices and the concepts that cut across all of the sciences into a fantastic learning experience for you so that you will think and do like a scientist does by the end of the course.

    The biology concepts that will be explored this year are divided into 4 strands:

    1.  Interactions with Organisms and the Environment
    2. Structure and Function of Life
    3. Genetic Patterns
    4. Evolutionary Change

Marino Disclosures:

    Science Electives

      • The AP Environmental Science course reflects learning that analyzes environmental concepts and processes to achieve understanding in order to propose and justify solutions to environmental problems. The course teaches individuals how to apply science to the solutions of important social problems. It also provides opportunities to practice applying scientific methods to practical, real-life problems. AP Environmental Science provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, helps students identify and analyze natural and human-induced environmental problems, enables them to learn how to assess the risks associated with these problems and evaluate alternative solutions for resolving and preventing them. To accomplish this goal, the AP Environmental Science Course and Exam Description defines concepts, skills, and understandings required by representative colleges and universities for granting college credit and placement.

      • This one-year course will cover the requirements as defined by the College Board for students to be prepared to pass AP Physics Level 1. Students will develop a deep understanding of foundational principles of physics in classical mechanics and modern physics by applying these principles to complex physical situations that combine multiple aspects of physics rather than present concepts in isolation.

      • Students will dig deeply into scientific inquiry. Students will access the tools, time and coaching needed to carry out a college-level science research project.  All students will work together on a class research project plus design and carry out their own investigation to take to the school science fair and beyond.  This rigorous class will include statistics, reading and understanding scientific journal articles, experimental design, an array of new lab techniques and opportunities, data analysis, project presentation, visits to labs and field sites, plus the opportunity to work on a group project and mentor other students on science projects at the end of the school year. Students who sign up should be highly motivated, passionate about science, and have good grades in their previous science and math classes.

      • Medical Anatomy and Physiology (MAP) considers the interrelationships between structure of the human body, the function of these structures, and the biological processes that are essential for proper function of the human body.  This course will provide students with an in-depth instruction of anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, diseases and disorders, medical ethics, and first aid.    Students will participate in a variety of lab activities and dissections, field trips, class discussions, projects, and readings to provide a hands-on, student-centered, active learning experience.   This class is designed to prepare students for advanced health science courses and health technology programs.

      • Agricultural science considers the many aspects of sustainable food production, including plant propagation, water conservation, soil health, pollination, and pest management.  Students will apply information learned in class by participating in several long-term, project-based field experiences, including the year-long maintenance of a garden plot, development and maintenance of a composting system, implementation of a hydroponic system, maintenance of a bee colony, and others.

    AP Environmental Science- Elizabeth Moretz

    Course Disclosure in English and Spanish