First semester covers chemistry, the study of the structure and properties of matter.
Second semester covers physics, the study of the relationships between matter and energy.
Both semesters include weekly laboratory experiences and problem-solving using the scientific method. Projects in this class focus on building students' abilities to express their own ideas. The main projects are essays written after students have researched an assigned topic and formed ideas about the topic. There are two full research papers to introduce students to this form a communication. Daily class assignments have students using the FHS website and others on the Internet.