Future Freshmen Class of 2015 Parents Welcome to

Future Freshmen (Class of 2015!) & Parents … Welcome to Science! Tonight we will… ØPresent the NVHS Science Department’s values, beliefs and core expectations of the science student ØPresent the “typical” sequence of science courses ØProvide clarification to your questions and concerns regarding your child’s future as a science student of NVHS

Neuqua Valley Science Department Believes… Ø Science education allows students to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for making decisions about the natural world and their role in it. Values… Ø Science reasoning skills Ø Increasing understanding of how world works Ø Fostering curiosity Ø Building awareness of how elements of nature impact each other

Selecting an Appropriate Course “Allows success while challenging ability” The Uniquely Qualified 8 th Grade Teacher Ø Familiar with strengths and weaknesses Ø Aware of scope, sequence, and cognitive demands that Freshman Biology places on students The Explore Test (Honors = 20 composite score) Ø Science Test: reasoning skill, data interpretation, graphical analysis, evaluate experimental designs and conclusions Ø Reading Test

Biology Chem / Physics Horticulture Earth Science Honors Biology Chemistry Honors Chemistry Astronomy AP Environmental AP Chemistry AP Biology Physics Genetics Anatomy/Physiology Honors Physics Electives AP Physics Greenhouse Mngmnt and Floral Design …Plus the others listed ABOVE A Typical Student Science Sequence

Freshmen Courses Biology and Honors Biology • Emphasis on Inquiry • College preparatory introduction to study of life Honors Biology • Inquiry based instruction • Generally moves at a faster pace and explores some content in greater detail • Considerably greater daily preparation and independent learning

Recommendations Honors Biology Student needs to meet all three of the following: ü 8 th grade science evaluation of B or better ü Composite Score of 20 on the EXPLORE Test ü Middle school teacher recommendation ü Independence and maturity in lab situations ü Proficiency in organizing and interpreting data and graphs ü Self motivation ü Above average in reading and comprehension skills ü Above average in verbal and written communication

Comparison of Courses Expectations and Assessments Biology Homework Labs Honors Biology Narrow scope, building connections between concepts, guided practice in class… Student directed, Independent, college habits developed… Inquiry based, good reasoning skills, 3 -4 formal lab reports Inquiry or research based, Strong reasoning skills. Greater number of major projects. Smaller quizzes, larger unit tests, final exams Assessments Guided class study preparation Smaller quizzes, larger unit tests, final exams Independent study preparation

Sophomore Courses Recommendations Chemistry • • See Sophomore Science Recommendation Flowchart Intention of taking Physics next year AP Environmental Science • A in Biology OR took Honors Bio Honors Chemistry Astronomy (semester) • • • See Sophomore Science Recommendation Flowchart Intention of taking Honors Physics or Physics next year Recommend Chem/Physics, Chemistry Chem/Physics • None

Sophomore Courses Sophomore Science Recommendation Flowchart FRESHMAN SCIENCE PLACEMENT SOPHOMORE MATH RECOMMENDATION BIOLOGY GRADE A or B BI O L O G Y Alg 2/Trig, H. Alg 2/Trig, Precalculus, H. Precalculus H. Geometry, Algebra 2 Geometry, Alg 2/Trig /Geometry “block” Geometry Survey, Math 200 SOPHOMORE SCIENCE RECOMMENDATION H. CHEMISTRY **If placement in H. Chem is desired: Student MUST take the Honors Chem. Science Reasoning and Math Assessment CHEMISTRY CHEM/PHYS **If placement in Chem is desired: Student MUST take the Chemistry Science Reasoning and Math Assessment

Sophomore Courses Sophomore Science Recommendation Flowchart FRESHMAN SCIENCE PLACEMENT SOPHOMORE MATH RECOMMENDATION H O N O R S Alg 2/Trig, H. Alg 2/Trig, Precalculus, H. Precalculus B IO L O GY Geometry, H. Geometry, Algebra 2 , Alg 2/Trig /Geometry “block” BIOLOGY GRADE A or B SOPHOMORE SCIENCE RECOMMENDATION H. CHEMISTRY **If placement in H. Chem is desired: Student MUST take the Honors Chem. Science Reasoning and Math Assessment

Junior Courses Recommendations Physics AP Biology • • • Recommend 1 year Chem and Bio Recommend Alg II/Trig OR taken concurrently Honors Physics • • • A or B in Honors Chemistry A or B in Algebra II/Trig Enrolled in math analysis Earth Science • Recommend Physics or Chem/Physics OR taken concurrently Honors Bio, Honors Chem, Honors Physics or Physics concurrently AP Chemistry • • Honors Bio, Honors Chem, Honors Physics or Physics concurrently B or higher in Honors Alg II/Trig Genetics • • Bio, Chem – recommend B Recommend Physics or concurrently Anatomy/Physiology • • Bio, Chem – recommend B Recommend Physics or concurrently AP Environmental, Astronomy, Chemistry recommendations on previous slide

Senior Courses Recommendations AP Physics • • B or Higher in Honors Physics A/B in Calculus Floral Design and Greenhouse Management • Horticulture (Plant and Soil) Physics Honors Physics Earth Science AP Environmental Horticulture (Plant and Soil) Astronomy AP Biology AP Chemistry Genetics Anatomy / Physiology Recommendations on previous slides

For More Information. . . Access our Freshman Science Course Selection Advisory Packet: CLICK HERE, “Class of 2015” THEN…

For More Information: Access our Freshman Science Course Selection Advisory Packet The Packet includes: • This Power. Point • FAQ section for 8 th grade science registration • Procedures for Changing a Recommendation CLICK HERE, “SCIENCE” • A detailed comparison of Biology and Honors Bio for HW, LABS, & TESTS • Four Year Course Recommendations and typical student flow chart

Thank You for your Participation Questions… Concerns…