Lab exercises help students in their exploration of microscopic organisms such as monera and protists, and the more familiar ones, such as mold and slime. In the spring, students will explore the plant and animal kingdoms. In September, we begin with a look at Earth sciences. We study how the atmosphere was formed, how essential chemicals and minerals are naturally recycled through the food web, what the interior of the Earth looks like and what effect this has on its exterior. In the winter, we move into a study of the human body.
Students learn about the components and functions of many body systems.
As they learn, each student builds a paper model of bones and selected organs. The spring trimester is spent exploring local environmental issues and having debates. Whatever the task at hand, the students are challenged to take their new knowledge and apply it to other areas of study. Whether it is comparing how rocky-intertidal zones are similar or how the kidney is disrupted by changes in salt balance, we focus on critical thinking and application. Through this program of experimentation, students learn the basics of scientific research as well as the concepts of physical and chemical separation techniques, chemical reactivity and electricity.