Science Progression Chart Courses Available to 9 th

Science Progression Chart Courses Available to 9 th graders: 10 th 11 th 1. Earth Science (both levels) Ø Ø Biology & Chemistry Ø Ø Ø Chemistry/ AP Biology AP Environmental Science Environmental Explorations Physics GIS (DE) 2. Research Biology (only) Ø Ø Chemistry Environmental Explorations Ø Ø AP Biology or AP Chemistry Environmental Explorations Physics GIS 12 th Ø Ø Ø AP Sciences ISR GIS Physics Env. Explorations Ø AP Sciences (except AP Environmental) Ø ISR Ø GIS Ø Physics Ø Env. Explorations

General Information for Rising 9 th Graders What makes a course a “Research Course”? All research sciences are the new version of Honors courses. They focus on scaffolded research skills and require a semester-long research project to be presented at the school-wide Science Symposium. All research courses offer a 0. 5 GPA bump. What is the difference between Research Earth Science & Research Biology? 1. The actual subject– biology focuses on life sciences and microbiology and earth science focuses on all earth systems and how they interact. Earth has a little of all science strands! 2. Both courses teach different sets of research skills. Skipping Earth would require you to be proficient in the skills that you missed by skipping the course. 3. Earth science is a prerequisite for AP Environmental science, which is an Earth Science course despite the amount of biology also present in the curriculum. SOL Science Courses Diploma Requirements Science Strands & Courses Offered Earth Science Biology Chemistry 1. Earth Science: Earth Science (research & academic) & AP Environmental 2. Biology: Biology (research & academic), Environmental Explorations & AP Biology 3. Chemistry: Chemistry (research & academic) & AP Chemistry 4. Physics: Physics (DE & conceptual) & AP Physics Science Electives - GIS I & II DE (general elective) - ISR (science elective) Advanced- follow “ 4 -3 -2 rule” (4 science courses, 3 strands, 2 SOLs passed Standard- follow “ 3 -2 -2 rule” (3 science courses, 2 strands, 2 SOLs passed)

Course Topics Are Humans On A Sustainable Path? • Air Pollution & Ozone Depletion • Ecology & Human sustainability • Energy Efficiency & Resources • Land Use & Forestry • Population Dynamics • Water Resources & Pollution • Food Security & Agriculture • Climate Change • Solid & Hazardous Waste Students who have not taken an Earth Science course are not eligible to take this course as an 11 th or 12 th grader. What is APES? In this class you will learn about the interrelationships in the natural world, how to identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, and how to determine risks and solutions associated with these problems. Debate/Case Studies Are we causing global warming? Is “Organic” food worth the cost? What is the science behind Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s)? Pros/cons? Farming vs. Logging vs. Ecotourism in the Amazon Energy Sources – crops, algae, fossil fuels, wind or solar? See Mrs. Blessing or Ms. Hennessey in room 1505 for questions & details!!! AP Environmental Science A new course at RRHS as of 2016 -2017 school year Field Trips & Outdoor Labs Biodiversity at RRHS Air Quality and Your Vehicle Water Pollution Control Facility AKA Wallops Island Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve Water Quality Testing Soil Testing Canoeing on the Shenandoah River Air Quality Specialist Alternative Energy Specialist Aquaculture Bioprospecting Climate Change Specialist Ecologist Ecotourism Specialist Environmental Architect Environmental Chemist Environmental Economist Environmental Educator Environmental Engineer Environmental Journalist Environmental Lawyer Environmental Nanotechnology Forester Fuel Cell Technology Geographic Information Systems Specialist Environmental Science Related Jobs Hydrogen Energy Specialist Hydrogeologist Indoor Air Pollution Specialist Industrial Ecology Infectious Disease Prevention Integrated Pest Management Limnology - a Career in Inland Waters Marine Scientist Organic Farmer Paleontologist Reconciliation Ecology Restoration Ecology Specialist Rooftop Garden Design Soil Scientist Solar Cell Technology Water Conservation Specialist Water Quality Specialist