Welcome to the BDCHS Science Department. Prepare for an adventure that will influence you for the rest of your life.  Our Science Department is built around the notion that we all have a “scientist” hidden inside of us.  We all apply the scientific method during our daily life, perhaps for cleaning a stain, better understanding our younger siblings, spinning on skates, or hitting a home run.  Seldom do we realize that the critical thinking process we use daily is scientific in nature.

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Our objective is to assist students in unveiling their inner scientist, enhance their scientific thought process, develop their critical thinking skills, and assist them in mastering the concepts that are the building blocks of modern science and resulting technologies. The Common Core State Standards in conjunction with the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards

(NGSSS) for Science are the foundation of our curriculum.

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The BDCHS Science Department prepares students for:

• Mastery in fundamental concepts of Biology and Chemistry for college and career preparedness.

• Mastery of concepts and topics in advanced areas of science such as Anatomy and Physiology, Environmental Science, and Marine Science.

• Mastery and readiness for university courses for science and engineering majors in such fields as Medicine, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Engineering.

• Being  knowledgeable citizens capable of making informed decisions based on scientific logic, the ability to research, and an understanding of fundamental science content, concepts, and theories.

• Mastering skills and gaining awareness in technologies that will assist them in day to day discovery.

• Learning from nature as well as about it.

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We are aware that many of our students may not plan to delve into science majors and science-focused career opportunities. Our job is to create the environment and present the curriculum to assure that all students master and apply science in their daily lives.

 

Course Offerings and Descriptions

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Anatomy and Physiology Honors, Course#2000360 (1 credit) (Not being offered in the 17-18 academic year)

While the content focus of this course is consistent with the Anatomy and Physiology course, students will explore these concepts in greater depth. In general, the academic pace and rigor will be greatly increased for honors level course work. Laboratory investigations that include the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures are an integral part of this course. The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) recommends that at the high school level, all students should be in the science lab or field, collecting data every week. School laboratory investigations (labs) are defined by the National Research Council (NRC) as an experience in the laboratory, classroom, or the field that provides students with opportunities to interact directly with natural phenomena or with data collected by others using tools, materials, data collection techniques, and models (NRC, 2006, p. 3). Laboratory investigations in the high school classroom should help all students develop a growing understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills to calibrate and troubleshoot equipment used to make observations. Learners should understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data (National Research Council, 2006, p.77; NSTA, 2007). 

 

Advanced Placement Environmental Science, Course #2001380 (1 credit) (Not being offered in the 18-19 academic year)

The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of the AP Environmental Science course.  Click here for more information.

 

Advanced Placement Physics 1, Course # 2003422 (1 credit)

Explore topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits.  Visit https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-physics-1 for more details.

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Advanced Placement Physics 2, Course # 2003421 (1 credit)

Explore topics such as fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; PV diagrams and probability; electrostatics; electrical circuits with capacitors; magnetic fields; electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics.  For more information about this course, visit https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-physics-2 

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Biology I Honors, Course #2000320 (1 credit)

Biology I Honors is a challenging course designed to guide students in inquiry-based studies that will increase their critical thinking skills while developing a strong knowledge base in biology. Students will be able to apply these learned skills in future high school courses, post-secondary classes, and real life activities.  The goal of the Biology I Honors course is to provide students with a hands-on curriculum that stimulates critical thinking and generates mastery in the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies of biology with a focus on the benchmarks in the NGSSS912 Big Ideas in the areas of the Nature of Science and Life Sciences.

 

Chemistry I Honors, Course #2003350 (1 credit)

Prerequisites:  Students should have satisfactorily completed Algebra I and Biology I.

Honors Chemistry is a one-year course designed to be taken in grade ten or eleven. Emphasis is placed on the in-depth study of chemical topics and involves a more rigorous and mathematically oriented study. Development of the major concepts of matter and the changes which matter undergoes, atomic structure, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, and behavior of solutions is enhanced by laboratory experimentation, critical thinking, and problem solving activities. The laboratory component of the course involves students in techniques that are specific to principles of chemistry. Technology is infused throughout the curriculum.

 

A guiding principle of the study of science is to define what students should understand and be able to apply as they grow towards scientific literacy. Therefore, it is the goal of this curriculum to foster a comprehension of fundamental scientific principles and the development of science-related skills that are not limited by gender, economic status, cultural background, or ability.

Chemistry I Honors is designed to prepare the student for the behavior and effort expected of a college student. At least one course in college chemistry is required for most Bachelor's degrees, including pre-medicine (physician, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary, dental, and X-Ray), any and all science majors (engineering, computer sciences, electronics), and even Law (especially as it pertains to advances in environmental science, cloning, gene manipulation, forensics, etc).

 

Honors Chemistry Goals:

• To present information necessary for a universal understanding of fundamental scientific principles related to chemistry.

• To explain how chemistry affects everyday life.

• To emphasize critical thinking skills and critical thinking development.

 

Environmental Science Honors, Course #20013415 (1 credit)

This course is designed as an interdisciplinary course to provide students with scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to identify and analyze environmental problems and to evaluate risks and alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.  Laboratory investigations that include the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures are an integral part of this course.  The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) recommends that at the high school level, all students should be in the science lab or field, collecting data every week.  School laboratory investigations (labs) are defined by the National Research Council (NRC) as an experience in the laboratory, classroom, or the field that provides students with opportunities to interact directly with natural phenomena or with data collected by others using tools, materials, data collection techniques, and models (NRC, 2006, p.3).  Laboratory investigations in the high school classroom should help all students develop a growing understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills to calibrate and troubleshoot equipment used to make observations.  Learners should understand measurement error; and have skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data (NRC, 2006, p.77; NSTA, 2007).

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Experimental Science 1 and 2 Honors, Course# 2002340/20022440 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: Open to all students that wish to learn through tinkering and experimentation.

Principles of Technology is a course in applied science that is designed to effectively prepare students to recognize the interrelationships between principles in science, math, engineering and their related technologies.  Through this course, students are prepared to meet the ever-growing challenges of developing and working with advanced technologies. It blends an understanding of basic principles with practice in practical applications.  Principles of Technology includes: 4 units of instruction focusing on technology defined/range of applications, math for science/technology, ethics in developing/using technology, and tools/safety; and 7 units of instruction dealing with selected science principles as they apply to technology in the four energy systems: mechanical, fluid, thermal, and electrical.  The 7 units that will be covered are force, work, rate, resistance, energy, power, and force transformers.  Emphasis will also be placed on hands on activities, creative thinking and problem solving, while having fun learning.  This class is a necessity for all students who want to be productive in a world dominated by technology.

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Forensic Science, Course #2002480 (1 credit)

Laboratory investigations that include the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures are an integral part of this course. The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) recommends that at the high school level, all students should be in the science lab or field, collecting data every week. School laboratory investigations (labs) are defined by the National Research Council (NRC) as an experience in the laboratory, classroom, or the field that provides students with opportunities to interact directly with natural phenomena or with data collected by others using tools, materials, data collection techniques, and models (NRC, 2006, p. 3). Laboratory investigations in the high school classroom should help all students develop a growing understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills to calibrate and troubleshoot equipment used to make observations. Learners should understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data (National Research Council, 2006, p.77; NSTA, 2007).

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Genetics Honors, Course #200440 (1 credit)

Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes — energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions.

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Marine Science Honors, Course #20025004 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: Students should have satisfactorily completed Biology I, Chemistry, and/or Physics. This course is for juniors and seniors. Special cases will be considered.  Marine Science Honors is an exciting course that delves into the four main fields that encompass Marine Science or Oceanology (i.e. Marine Biology, Marine Chemistry, Marine Geology, and Marine Physics Oceanography). The course is designed to guide students in inquiry-based studies that will increase their critical thinking skills, while developing their knowledge in Marine Science. Students will be able to apply these learned skills in college and real world activities.

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The Marine Science curriculum is designed to stimulate student interest in the various topics and career potential of the marine realm which covers 71% of the Earth’s surface. The course offers a rich knowledge base in the four sciences associated with marine science: marine biology, marine chemistry, marine physics, and marine geology. As part of this program, students work critically and research the development of management strategies for marine resources and biodiversity, including the study of marine protected areas and specialized areas of research. Students attaining mastery of the concepts presented in this course will have an introductory preparation for university programs and entry level careers in marine sciences.

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Physics I Honors, Course #2003390 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: Students should have satisfactorily completed Biology I.

Physics I Honors is a fascinating hands-on, critical thinking course that focuses on a range of Physics topics including but not limited to mechanics, heat, waves, electricity and thermal dynamics. This Physics course develops problem solving skills, laboratory skills and a basic understanding of Physics principles and their relationship to principles in other sciences. In general, the academic pace and rigor of Physics 1 Honors is greater than in regular Physics courses. Laboratory investigations that include the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures are an integral part of this course. Laboratory investigations in the high school classroom assures all students develop a growing understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills to calibrate and troubleshoot equipment used to make observations. Learners should understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data

 

Principles of Technology 1, Course #2003600 (1 credit)

Laboratory investigations that include the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures are an integral part of this course.  Of specific focus will be investigations into the relationships among current, voltage, and power; differentiating among various forms of energy; comparing and contrasting work and power both qualitatively and quantitatively; and conducting research projects to answer a research question or solve a problem.

 

Field Adventures

Aside from the usual observational studies, dissections, and experiments carried out during the course of study at BDCHS, we supplement our hands-on curriculum with field trips. These adventures allow us to experience firsthand real world science and technology and allow us to integrate these experiences and knowledge with the topics and issues found within our curriculum.  Field trips include overnight trips to Lowry Park Zoo, various Tampa Bay eco-systems, beach clean-ups, terrestrial robotics competitions, marine robotics competitions, Bush Gardens Physics Day, museums/research centers, and some years, science adventures outside the country. We are willing to travel wherever we can to satisfy our students’ thirst for knowledge.