Science

The primary goal of the science program at BB&N at all levels is to give students a systematic approach to scientific problem solving. This is accomplished through a laboratory-based discovery approach adopted with the belief that insights are best developed in an experimental setting. Laboratory skills emphasize the habit of objectivity in observation and accuracy in data gathering and recording. Identification and control of variables, manipulation and presentation of data, and evaluation of the validity of experiments are emphasized as appropriate to the grade level.

The department aims to instill in students an appreciation for science as an imaginative, often impassioned human endeavor. Students gain an understanding of the common atomic base yet the amazing diversity of both the natural and man-made environment. They also appreciate the principles that help to describe the interactions of matter and energy.

Courses

Physical Science (Grade 9): Physical Science offers a challenging curriculum that introduces students to experimentation and model building. It engenders an appreciation for science as an imaginative human endeavor while teaching the basic skills needed for a future study of science. The course begins with an astronomy unit that emphasizes classical observations and measurements using our own starlab planetarium. Students learn to appreciate the wisdom of the ancients, and through experiments they discover how the heliocentric model for the solar system was developed more than 2000 years ago. Experimental units on light, sound, and electricity follow, designed to give students a feel for the nature of these phenomena and an understanding of their relationship to our everyday lives.

Introductory Biology (Grades 9-10): Introductory Biology surveys a variety of topics with an emphasis on ecology, cell biology, genetics, and physiology. A special attempt is made to provide students with the background needed to develop an understanding of contemporary issues in science. Emphasis is on correlated lab work.

Physics (Grades 10-12): This is a lab-oriented course designed for students who have completed Biology and who want to explore physical science with an emphasis on the practical nature of the physical world. The course covers simple machines, mechanics, and energy during the first semester. During the second semester it examines electricity and magnetism.

Honors Physics (Grades 10-12): Honors Physics is an experiment-oriented course that stresses the interrelationships of various kinds of energy and gives students a strong introduction to mechanics. The year begins with basic measurement and ends with an elucidation of the energy-level model of atomic structure through an examination of the light radiated by excited atoms. Students use Algebra extensively to interpret data and express their ideas.

Chemistry (Grades 11-12): This course covers the standard college preparatory material required for continued work in chemistry, biology, or pre-medical studies. Laboratory work, observation, and problem-solving are emphasized and used as a means of examining the scientific thought process. Topics include the structure of atoms and molecules, principles of chemical reactions including energy, kinetics, equilibrium and reactions between acids and bases.

Honors Chemistry (Grades 11-12): The Honors section of chemistry covers the same topics as the regular chemistry class but the pace is quicker and each subject is examined in greater depth. Strong math skills are essential, and Honors Physics in Grade 10 is a recommended pre-requisite.

Environmental Science (Grades 11-12): Environmental science is a lab-based course that explores the interrelationships of biological, physical, and social-environmental factors. Field investigations and class discussions highlight causes, sampling, analysis, and solutions of environmental quality, earth systems, renewable and nonrenewable resources, land resource management, conservation biology, and population studies. Learning via first-hand observations and analysis is emphasized.

Human Physiology (Grades 11-12): Human Physiology is a course in which students perform lab work to examine several major systems of the body. The first semester covers cell physiology, the circulatory system, and the nervous system. The second half of the year concentrates on exercise physiology and nutrition.

Advanced Biology (Grade 12): Advanced Biology is a second-level course with Introductory Biology and Chemistry as prerequisites. This lecture course can be taken alone, or in combination with Experimental Biology. The content is a selection of topics from the Advanced Placement syllabus that are taught roughly in thirds: evolution and cell biology in the fall; genetics, molecular, and organismal biology in the winter; and animal behavior and ecology in the spring.

Experimental Biology (Grade 12): This laboratory course can be taken alone or in conjunction with Advanced Biology. The course will cover all the laboratory exercises and experiments that are normally covered in an introductory college-level biology course. The laboratory work will be taken from widely used lab manuals and will correlate with reading assignments in the textbook used for the AP Biology Lecture course and with additional sources. Evaluation will be based on lab reports and occasional lab-practical tests.

AP Biology: Enrollment in both Advanced Biology and Experimental Biology is equivalent to enrollment in Advanced Placement Biology.

AP Physics C: Mechanics (Grade 12): This course provides a strong foundation in classical mechanics and includes selected portions of the electricity and magnetism section of the AP Physics C: Mechanics curriculum. Topics in modern physics determined by student interests are also explored.

Current Topics and Research in Science and Technology (Grade 12): This course is designed for students to explore topics in science and technology both within and beyond BB&N by critically reviewing current literature, presenting recent findings in science, and potentially undertaking an independent research project outside of BB&N. Students who wish to enroll in this course as a semester long half-credit course will identify areas of scientific interest, pursue independent research, and work toward creating a “mini-symposium” of current topics in science that will be shared with the BB&N community. Students who wish to enroll in this endeavor as a year-long, full-credit course will complete all of the above and must undertake a research project in a laboratory outside of BB&N. Students are expected to spend the summer between their junior and senior years establishing this connection in anticipation of working on this independent research project outside of BB&N during the academic year. Students will share their research with each other and the BB&N community in the spring.