SCIENCE.
Subject area goals:
- Scholars will discover the processes of the world around them and begin lifelong experiences in science.
- Scholars are required to take Conceptual Science, Biology plus two other science courses.
- College track scholars should have Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Honors Distinction
- Overall, scholars must have a 3.0 GPA or better
- Scholars must complete four science classes including three laboratory sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, or AP Biology) with a B or better in each class for a distinction.
- One of these courses needs to be an Honors, AP, or a Dual Enrollment offering.
- Students wanting a distinction are required to take either the class Brief History of Time or Tech Science classes.
- In addition, scholars must read a science classic and write a 1000 word paper. See the list of science classics or talk to a science teacher
212 CONCEPTUAL SCIENCE
212 CONCEPTUAL SCIENCE
This conglomerate course which was specially designed by teachers at Heritage to prepare Heritage scholars for high school and college-level science classes. A strand of scientific inquiry through the OHEC model weaves throughout the course. Universal critical thinking and problem-solving strategies are also introduced and strengthened throughout the course. The Pre-Physics and Pre-Chemistry topics covered in this course are combined with Thermodynamics and Meteorology to form a foundation for better understanding of topics in Biology and Anatomy.
Prerequisite: None
211 PHYSICAL SCIENCE
211 PHYSICAL SCIENCE
This course is designed to emphasize physics and chemistry principles that will help the students in future science classes or vocational programs. These principles will be taught through the context of astronomy, meteorology, geology and oceanography. This course is intended to enhance the students’ science foundation before taking on more intense lab courses such as Physics, Chemistry or Anatomy or vocational programs.
Prerequisite: Completion of Biology and by teacher invitation only.
Dual Enrollment option with Grand Canyon University
220 BIOLOGY
220 BIOLOGY
Biology is an introductory course designed to teach the structure of living organisms. Biology includes many areas of study and scholars will be studying cells, genetics, ecology, and natural Selection to name a few. The course will highlight the various ways these topics affect our lives along with the technology developed to study different aspects of life. This is a lab course.
227 HON. BIOLOGY
227 HON. BIOLOGY
Accelerated 220 course requirements taught through inquiry methods that expect scholars to take more control of their personal learning. Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
222 AP BIOLOGY
222 AP BIOLOGY
This course will qualify a student to sit for the College Board Advanced Placement test or Dual enroll through Grand Canyon University for Biology 181/181Lab credit. It is a vigorous course in introductory biology for majors. This course is a study of biological concepts emphasizing the interplay of structure and function, particularly at the molecular and cellular levels of organization. Cell components and their duties are investigated, as cell as the locations of cellular functions within the cell. The importance of the cell membrane is studied, particularly its roles in controlling movement of ions and molecules and in energy production. The effect of genetic information on the cell is followed through the pathway from DNA to RNA to protein.
Course content will also cover topic of evolution.
Prerequisite: Students must have complete a year of biology and a year of chemistry.
230 CHEMISTRY
230 CHEMISTRY
In this course scholars will learn nomenclature, balancing chemical equations, heat capacity, mole equations, stoichiometry, and gas laws. The process of scientific discovery is explored through the history of the atomic theory development and the men and women important to this process. This course is taught using modeling curriculum which utilizes lot of hands-on as well as minds-on activities. Scholars will be challenged to up their critical thinking game throughout the entire year.
Prerequisite: Biology, Algebra 1
237 HONORS CHEMISTRY
237 HONORS CHEMISTRY
Course includes accelerated 230 Biology course requirements while going deeper into the history and scope of science in today’s world.
Prerequisite: Biology, Algebra 1 & teacher recommendation
215 HON. ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
215 215 HON. ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
In anatomy scholars will learn the principles of scientific method, along with structural organization, homeostasis and control mechanisms of the body. Scholars will also study the structure and function of the major bodily systems. Specific chemistry concepts as they relate to body structure and function are also covered.
Dual Enrollment option with Rio Salado College
231 HON. PHYSICS
231 HON. PHYSICS
This course is algebra-based Physics with a study of Kinematics, the reasons for, laws of and patterns in the motion of things. Common misconceptions are unraveled as scholars learn how to articulate a new and improved perspective of the physical world. New vocabulary as well as old vocabulary used in new ways helps scholars to communicate their findings in scientific inquiry activities. Forming and testing hypotheses by experimentation and analysis of the results are important parts of this process. Other components of Newton’s mechanical universe are studied, including Momentum, Energy, Vectors, and Optics. Once scholars master the concepts of rectilinear motion, they are introduced to curves, satellites and orbits. A capstone unit on harmonic motion, waves, sound and light finishes this course of study.
Prerequisite: Biology & Algebra II
Recommended for Seniors (12th grade)
Dual Enrollment option with Rio Salado College
830 COMPUTER SCIENCE DISCOVERIES
830 INTO TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory computer science course for 8th grade scholars. No prior computer knowledge is necessary. The course is highly interactive and a collaborative introduction to the field of computer science. Scholars learn through a series of puzzles, challenges, and real-world scenarios, and are introduced to the problem-solving process learning how computers input, output, store, and process information. Scholars
transition from thinking about computer science as a tool to solve their own problems towards considering the broader social impacts of computing. They will pass through a series of design challenges and will prototype technological solutions to a problem both on paper and by using online tools before testing their solutions with real users. Scholars create and share their own
content using an online platform while learning skills such as debugging, commenting, and structure of language. In this course scholars will create programmatic images, animations, interactive art, and games. Along the way, they practice design, testing, and iteration, as they come to see that failure and debugging are an expected and valuable part of the programming process. They will also develop programs that utilize the same hardware inputs and outputs that we see in many modern smart devices, and they get to see how a rough prototype can lead to a finished product.
832 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
832 COMPUTER PROGRAMMING II
This course is designed for scholars who are looking to build their skill and proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and OneNote. Designed for grades 9-12, this course will provide an in-depth working knowledge of using Microsoft Office. We start with the basics of
each application and progressively increase the difficulty of each task. These skills will put our scholars in a position to be able to use these skills in a professional workplace and position them to be competitive amongst their peers. Many employers require a working knowledge of these applications. It is important to recognize these skills take time to develop and must be
practiced on a regular basis to remain relevant and competitive. Additionally, scholars will learn about computers and what makes them function. We explore components inside the computer as well as learn about network topologies. Research on the web is critical for scholars as they progress through their academic studies and this course will require writing and citing sources
found in research.
Prerequisite: 825 & 830 computer classes or teacher recommendation
832AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES
832 COMPUTER PROGRAMMING II
There are no formal prerequisites for this course, though the College Board recommends that scholars have taken at least Algebra 1 and will require a significant amount of expository writing skill. We recommend scholars be in 10th grade or above due the expectations of student responsibility and maturity for an AP course. This curriculum does not assume any prior knowledge of computing before entering the course and is intended and suitable as a first
course in computing. Computer Science Principles introduces scholars to the foundational concepts of computer science and this course will challenge them. This is a year-long course that is rigorous and engaging and it explores many of the foundational ideas of computing, programming and coding. Scholars learn about the challenges of supporting a large network, while solving problems about encoding and transmitting data. They get hands-on experience
with concepts like binary and pixels, text compression, cryptography, abstraction and more. Using JavaScript with turtle language, students learn about algorithms and program design as they create a series of real working, shareable apps.