SCIENCE

How does our world work?

This question is at the heart of the Earth and Physical Systems Science. Performance activities throughout the year engage students in designing, building, and testing devices that demonstrate the laws of motion. Students explore the Laws of Thermodynamics, the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and climate change, investigate our personal connection to the universe and explore the role plate tectonics has played in forming our present day geography. In addition to emphasizing the development of a strong knowledge base in areas of physical and earth systems sciences, students gain practical lab experience in understanding the practice of science through a variety of performance assessments.

How has life changed over time?

Students will study chemistry, cellular biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology, and will include the interdisciplinary connections with earth science and physics. This lab-oriented and project-based course has been designed to help students develop their skills related to Souhegan’s Academic Learner Expectations. Students will grow as complex thinkers through inquiry and analysis. As skilled information processors, students will evaluate and synthesize data. Students will be effective communicators as they practice communicating knowledge and claims using the language and practices of scientists.

How do engineers combine creativity, science, and technology to solve the world’s problems?

This course is an introduction to engineering concepts in a project based, multidisciplinary format. Students will learn a practical approach to science and develop skills in problem solving, communication, and teamwork. Students will apply engineering analysis and experimentation to laboratory and real life problems. This course is based on Project 2061, a scientific literacy initiative sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and endorsed in recommendations from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. Sophomores enrolled in Engineering Science must be concurrently enrolled in Living Systems.

How do science and engineering combine to produce today’s technologically advanced world?

This course is intended for students with a strong background and interest in science and engineering. The curriculum for the course will center on three to six week hands-on challenges, which are intended to give students practical applications in various engineering disciplines. Instructors anticipate that the following engineering disciplines will be included in the challenges: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Robotics, and Architecture. The course is intended for students who are considering technical careers, such as engineering, or engineer’s technicians. Prerequisites for the course are successful completion of Engineering Science for juniors, successful completion of Engineering Science, Physics, or Chemistry for seniors.

What is the role of chemistry as we investigate relevant issues in our local, national, and global communities?

This course is an introduction to the concepts, principles, and applications of chemistry. Topics include atomic structure and theory, periodicity, structure of matter, solutions, reaction rates, equilibrium, and acids and bases. Activities include lectures, demonstrations, problem solving and labs. Weekly lab sessions and research projects will illustrate the principles of quantitative interpretation of data. The use of mathematics and problem solving is extensive. Successful completion of Core Math 2 is required. Sophomores enrolled in Chemistry must be concurrently enrolled in Living Systems.

What is the role of chemistry as we investigate relevant issues in our local, national and global communities?

Advanced Placement Chemistry is designed to prepare the student for the AP Chemistry exam. This rigorous math based course, with a strong laboratory component covers the equivalent of a college level General Chemistry. This course will develop the student’s ability to incorporate mathematical skills in the solution of chemistry problems, both using textbook problems and laboratory activities. This is a college level class, with college level expectations for behavior, participation, and effort. Students will need to work outside of class and complete readings independently in order to learn and understand all of the material. Students must have successfully completed Chemistry and Core Math 3 to enroll in this course. Students will be expected to successfully complete summer reading assignments. College credit is available through the Running Start dual enrollment program.

What are the major environmental issues facing us today? How are geo-technologies used to monitor our natural resources? How can our current practices change to provide solutions to our major environmental issues? How do we achieve the sustainable practices needed to ensure a future for all living things?

This science and technology course is designed to give students research experience in a variety of challenging field and laboratory settings. Students use “on the ground” field methods, lab investigations, and geo-technology applications (GIS, GPS, satellite remote sensing, NASA and NOAA data sets, and computer simulations and models) to research and analyze Earth’s natural resources and systems. Concepts explored include ecosystem processes, biodiversity, and natural resource impact in our changing global environment. Sophomores enrolled in Environmental Science and Geo-Technology Applications must be concurrently enrolled in Living Systems.

This course will be offered during the 22-23 school year.

How are marine organisms adapted to the physical and chemical make-up of the ocean? How do we impact the oceans?

This lab-oriented course introduces students to important concepts in marine science and biology. This is an interdisciplinary course, drawing on topics in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science and social issues. Students will get their hands and feet wet as the emphasis of the course will be a hands-on exploration of marine ecosystems. Other topics of study are physical oceanography, marine plankton and plants, marine invertebrates, and marine vertebrates. Students will learn about these topics through lectures, discussions, labs, and through the maintenance of a salt-water aquarium. In addition, students will conduct data investigations using websites such as Ocean Tracks http://oceantracks.org/ and NOAA’s Data in the classroom (https://dataintheclassroom.noaa.gov/). Sophomores enrolled in Marine Science must be concurrently enrolled in Living Systems.

How can our observations of the physical world help us understand how things work? This course offers both a quantitative and qualitative introductory view of our physical world. Experimentation, problem solving, and experiential demonstrations are used to understand how the laws of the universe apply to daily life. The year is broken into 4 major units: The Power Grid, Motion, Communication, and Modern Physics. Topics include motion, forces, energy, collisions, electricity and magnetism, waves, light, sound, quantum physics, and relativity. Sophomores enrolled in Physics must also be concurrently enrolled in Living Systems Science. Successful completion of Core Math 2 is required.

How can fundamental principles of motion help us predict the future and know the past?

This course explores calculus-based mechanics and prepares students for the Advanced Placement Physics C: Mechanics exam in May. Topics include an in-depth study of Newton’s Laws, energy, momentum, rotational dynamics, and oscillations. AP Physics C: Mechanics covers fewer topics than Physics with the addition of more depth and rigorous mathematics. Students are expected to have completed or be concurrently enrolled in AP Calculus AB. Students are required to complete summer assignments.

How can the study of biology help us explore our physical selves and our natural world? How is biotechnology changing our world and lives?

This laboratory based course is designed for students either interested in pursuing careers in the biological sciences or for those wanting to better understand the biological world and advancements in the field. Advanced Biology is designed to be comparable to a 100 level college course in which students are expected to read an approved Advanced Placement Biology textbook. We will examine many of the same topics as those taught in an AP biology course and explore others which are not required by the College Board. Topics include cellular processes, microbiology, evolutionary mechanisms and comparative anatomy, animal behavior, and classic and molecular genetics with a focus on new developments in biotechnology. The pace of this course will be similar to that of AP Biology given the complexity and extensive content which students are expected to learn. Students who are very strong self-directed learners and want to commit time to preparing for the AP Biology Exam in May, are welcome to do so.Students enrolled in Advanced Biology must have already completed or be concurrently enrolled in Chemistry. College credit is available through the Running Start dual enrollment program. Prerequisite for this course is Living Systems/Biology.

What is the result of our human “footprint” on ecosystem resources and processes at local and global scales? How do we manage our impact on the planet for a sustainable future for all living things?

This course is equivalent to an introductory college-level course in Environmental Science. The goal is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand interrelationships within the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Components include field and laboratory investigations, lecture and discussion forums, and research and writing activities. Topics to be explored include ecosystem ecology, global climate and biomes, population ecology and human population growth, Earth’s resources and land-use, energy resources and consumption, pollution impacts and mitigation, and global change. Prerequisites for this course are Living Systems/Biology and Math 2.

What are the mechanics, mysteries and maladies of the human body?

This lab-based course is designed for students who are interested in learning about the structure and function of the human body. This course will cover basic histology and the musculoskeletal, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, urogenital and endocrine systems of the human. Laboratory work includes microscopy, models and dissection of a vertebrate specimen and its associated organs, such as the heart. Students will have the option to conduct virtual dissections. Projects may include the examination of personal injuries, selected human diseases and disorders and the associated treatments and therapies. Students will also explore medical, veterinary and biological research fields, as well as, human disease. Prerequisite for this course is Living Systems/Biology. College credit is available through the Running Start dual enrollment program.

What stories can a crime scene tell us?

The course explores the science and skills necessary to successfully solve criminal mysteries. Students will use their knowledge in biology, psychology, earth science, chemistry, physics and biotechnology to improve their analytical and critical thinking skills. Topics include observation skills (learning to see), crime scene investigation (types of crimes scenes), evidence analysis (DNA, soil, handwriting, ballistics) and forensic anthropology (learning from bones). Students explore actual case studies as part of the curriculum. Students enrolled in this course need to have completed Living Systems Science or be concurrently enrolled..

How can robotics be used to solve problems?

This hands-on course will introduce students to the three main skills of robotics: programming, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Working in a team environment, students will face challenges to design, program and build robots that solve real-world problems. Students will develop a general understanding of electrical circuitry, robotic computer programming as well as construction skills and techniques.

What can light tell us about the universe?

This course investigates how observing objects outside our solar system can reveal the composition of our universe. We will focus on the origins of the universe, formation of galaxies, life cycle of stars, and the search for planets outside our solar system. We will investigate the universe by means of an online telescope, space telescope images, modeling and computer simulations. In addition, two nighttime observation sessions are required.

How do engineers use three-dimensional modeling to develop design solutions to real world problems?

In this semester long course, students will learn how to turn their ideas and two-dimensional sketches into interactive three-dimensional models using computer aided design. Students will use science and engineering practices while defining problems, creating and analyzing models, and producing design solutions. Engineering drafting will be used to communicate final designs.