Main Goals of Life Science:
1) Present a general overview of the biological sciences
2) Relate the importance of biology in everyday life.
This course focuses on the diversity of life on earth and seeks to emphasize the interrelationships between the biological and other sciences. Laboratory investigations and research problems in biology are included in the course work.
Course Topics:
1. The Scientific Method
2. Cell Structure and Function
3. Taxonomy and Biological Classification
4. Microbiology – Viruses, Bacteria, and Fungi
5. Botany and Multicellular Plants
6. Invertebrate Zoology
7. Vertebrate Zoology
8. Human Biology
Subject-Related Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students should be able to or know:
Skill-related Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students should:
1. Have started to think analytically, synthetically, critically and creatively about biology.
2. Have learned how to communicate their biological observations in writing.
3. Have obtained many of the basic skills needed to use a microscope.
This science course focuses on two key area space sciences and geology as it relates to earth formation. This course is designed to start students thinking about the future and their roles in it. The issues of how technology impacts family relationships, nuclear war, death, overpopulation, and society as a whole are explored. This course is centered around key concepts presented in Mars Rising, an HD Science series from the science channel. Students will create their own 3D Mars colony based on key concepts presented.
This course exposes students to many possibilities for life in the future and encourages students to invent new solutions for existing problems related to our future, such as: using anti-gravity devices for travel on earth, time travel, new sources of energy and how to improve our environment. Most importantly, students become more aware of the present and how what we are doing right now will affect all our futures.
Students participate in creating an immersive 3D Mars colony world based on the research topics covered in the course. Students also design new anti-gravity devices and demonstrate them in Wiloworlds, our 3D educational environment.
Other topics covered include: Earth’s composition, structure, processes, and history; its atmosphere, freshwater, and oceans; and its environment in space. This ties into the progression plan for WiloStar science for Marine and Life sciences.This course is also an exploration of the major cycles that affect every aspect of life, including weather, climate, air movement, tectonics, volcanic eruptions, rocks, minerals, geologic history, Earth’s environment, sustainability, and energy resources. Hands on labs encourage students to apply the scientific method.
This course is designed to help students:
The approach of the course is inquiry-based, project-oriented, and student-centered, requiring students to make observations, ask questions, formulate hypotheses, design and conduct 3D experiments, and apply their knowledge to practical, real life situations.
Communication skills and use of technology are also emphasized. Therefore, a significant number of writing assignments, research projects, and 3D virtual world projects will be required.
Geology, astronomy, and meteorology are the primary earth and space sciences and these disciplines will be included in the content of the course.
Marine science builds on concepts learned in our Earth Science course and applies that knowledge to the exploration of the living and nonliving environments of our bays and oceans. We focus on various aspects of oceanography: chemistry, plate tectonics, sediments, ocean and atmospheric circulation, waves, tides, and coastal processes. We also focus on marine biology: plankton, algae, plants, animals, marine ecosystems, and ecology.
Additionally, this course is the study of the ocean environment; the life and physical properties of the oceans. We start with the different life zones of the ocean and what differentiates them. We then explore the different life forms that inhabit the oceans of the world. Next, we explore the physical make-up of the oceans, from their geology to the energy in them. Lastly, we will investigate the ecology of the oceans and what can be done to our increasingly endangered oceans.
Students will create a 3D reef and immerse themselves in the topic by building 3D ocean habitats.
The following is a list of topics that students will be learning in marine science:
Credits: 1
Physics 1 is a college preparatory, introductory course that is taken by most students intending to study applied science at college.
Physics is a study of how and why things work. In this course, we will study kinematics, waves, electromagnetic radiation and relativity. We use theories, observations and mathematics to make these descriptions. We can use what we find to make predictions about other phenomena and then create 3D world demonstrations and exhibits to show these concepts in a meaningful way.
Other Topics Covered
Evaluation
Prerequisites
Strong background in science/mathematics and proficient with the graphing operations of a graphing calculator. Students should have taken (or be taking concurrently), a Pre-Calculus (or equivalent) course in mathematics.
Credits: 1
In this course we will study Earth’s ecosystems, and natural resources, how humans interact with other species and use natural resources, and some of the challenges we humans face in sustaining life on Earth for future generations. Students need access to a portable digital camera or regular camera and scanner to prepare and share results of field experiences. In addition to the field experiences, students create a 3D biosphere!
Topics covered in this course include:
Credits: 1
Chemistry 1 is a college preparatory laboratory science course that explores the nature of matter and its interaction with energy. This course concentrates on chemical calculations and laboratory experiences and is designed to fulfill the laboratory class requirement for entrance into most four-year colleges and universities.
Course Objective: The purpose of this class is to understand scientific concepts. The class is designed to gain a broad understanding of Chemistry.
1. To increase chemistry study skills.
2. To gain better understanding of metals and nonmetals.
3. To increase awareness and understanding of types of bonding.
Chemistry 1 is a rigorous course that begins with an overview of chemistry concepts and critical scientific skills. Students then extend their knowledge by applying the scientific method — observation, data collection, analysis, hypothesis, and conclusion. They are encouraged to look at chemistry from both personal and worldly perspectives and to analyze the social implications of the topics covered. Topics include the nature of matter; the structure of atoms and molecules; bond formations; the qualitative and quantitative aspects of chemical reactivity; physical and chemical properties of solids, liquids, and gases; states of matter; phase transitions; equilibrium; kinetics; thermodynamics; electrochemistry; nuclear chemistry; and an introduction to organic chemistry.
The content is based on the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) standards.
This course uses Model ChemLab as the primary way to conduct labs. Lab Fee: $32.00
Some Features of Model ChemLab: