Science

The high school will offer this course to students who did not take Living Environment in 8th grade, or are repeating the course. This course acquaints students with the diversity of life in the world around them and provides a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of Biology. Areas of study include Unity and Diversity Among Living Things, Maintenance in Living Things, Human Physiology, Reproduction and Development, Transmission of Traits from Generation to Generation, Evolution, and Ecology. Laboratory work is a major part of the course and students are required to successfully complete 1200 minutes of laboratory time to sit for the Regents examination in June. Classes meet on double and single periods on alternate days.

This course is available to and recommended for all ninth-grade Regents level students. Earth Science is an interdisciplinary course where the students experiment with, and learn about, the physical world around them through inquiry-centered lessons and laboratory investigations. The topics of Astronomy, Geology, Meteorology, Paleontology, and Oceanography are strongly interwoven throughout the course. The course will emphasize reading comprehension and critical thinking. Laboratory experiences are an important part of the course, and basic competency in mathematics including solving equations and graphing are necessary. Successful completion of 1200 minutes of laboratory assignments is required for admission to the Regents examination at the end of the course. Classes meet on double and single periods on alternate days.

This engaging, AP®-level course follows a combined curriculum of Regents Earth Science and Advanced Placement Environmental Science. Topics include: Living World (Ecology and Biodiversity), Populations, Earth Systems (Rocks/Minerals, Plate Tectonics, Weather and Climate), Land and Water Use, Energy Resources and Consumption, Pollution (Land, Water and Atmospheric), Global Change, and Astronomy. Laboratory work in this class will allow students to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and to analyze environmental problems both natural and man-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems and to examine alternative solutions for resolving them. Students enrolled in the course must successfully complete a minimum of 1,200 minutes of hands-on laboratory work, which is required for admission to the Regents examination at the end of the course. Due to the fast pace and depth of material, the class will meet for a double period, every day, and students will be responsible for completing work outside the classroom.

This course presents a modern view of the fundamental concepts of chemistry, and includes the following topics: Matter and Energy, Atomic Structure, Bonding, the Periodic Table, the Mathematics of Chemistry, Kinetics and  Equilibrium, Acids and Bases, Redox and Electrochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Applications of Chemical  Principles, and Nuclear Chemistry. Laboratory work is a major part of the course and is utilized to enhance and  reinforce concepts developed in class. Successful completion of laboratory assignments is required for admission to the Physical Setting/Chemistry Regents Exam at the end of this course. Classes meet on double and single periods on alternate days.

Physics is a description of scientific phenomena in the physical world in terms of two fundamental concepts, matter and energy. Matter is studied in terms of the development of mechanics. Energy is studied in terms of heat, wave motion, electricity, and magnetism. The interaction between matter and energy leads to concluding topics on atomic and nuclear physics, and an introduction to quantum theory. Laboratory work involves gathering and analyzing data pertinent to these topics, using instruments and techniques developed from the theory at hand. Classes meet on double and single periods on alternate days.

This core science course is designed for students to discover and analyze how chemistry impacts the world around them. Using the foundations from the Next Generation Science Standards, students will explore major concepts in chemistry through exploratory laboratory activities, projects, videos and virtual experiences. These concepts include atomic structure, chemical reactions, nuclear chemistry, periodic table, behavior of matter, heat and energy and chemical applications.

This introductory Physics course helps students recognize the nature and scope of physics and its relationship to the other sciences. Students will learn about basic topics such as motion, forces, energy, momentum, heat and heat transfer, waves, electricity, and magnetism. Students will be engaged in scientific inquiry, investigations, and labs so that they develop a conceptual understanding and basic scientific skills. The mathematics prerequisite skills are based on mathematics topics such as data analysis, measurement, scientific notation, ratio and proportion, and algebraic expressions. 

Forensic Science is the branch of science that is involved in the gathering of evidence from a crime scene, in order to present a case before a court of law. Students taking this elective course will develop investigative techniques used by agencies such as the police department and medical examiner's office in order to solve crimes. These techniques include fingerprint analysis, chemical analysis of blood and other body fluids, drug identification, hair and fiber analysis, and tissue analysis. Students who are considering a career in law enforcement should find this course a valuable introduction to the field of criminal investigation. Laboratory investigations are incorporated into the daily lessons.

Marine Biology is the scientific study of the plants, animals, and other lower organisms (phytoplankton-fish) that live in the ocean. The ocean is a vast realm that contains many strange and wonderful creatures. This course explores the enormous biodiversity of marine life found in the Great South Bay, Long Island Sound, and Atlantic Ocean. Laboratory investigations and various dissections are incorporated into the daily lessons.

Marine Biology is the scientific study of the plants, animals, and other more advanced organisms (reptiles, birds, mammals) that live in the ocean. This course delves deeper into the enormous biodiversity of marine life found in the oceans of the world. Greater emphasis is placed upon understanding the interactions of organisms in the various marine ecosystems, as well as the impact humans are having on the marine environment. Laboratory investigations are incorporated into the daily lessons.

Students examine the interactions of body systems as they explore identity, communication, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. Students design experiments, investigate the structures and functions of the human body, and use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal manikin, work through interesting real-world cases, and often play the role of biomedical professionals to solve medical mysteries. Students can earn college credit upon successful completion of the course and passing score on End of Course assessment.

This is the first-year course in the science research sequence and is intended for 9th and 10th grade students with an interest in carrying out authentic STEM research. The focus of the course is for students to uncover the excitement of discovery while acquiring life-long skills necessary to design and complete a group research project. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the research process, data acquisition and analysis, and the presentation of results. The students will be prepared to enter various science competitions. 

Students will enhance the wide array of academic and life skills that they acquired in Research 1, continuing to develop as researchers while working on independent or group projects. Students will pursue a project in their field of interest such as in biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, engineering or psychology. Students will research background information, design experiments and acquire and analyze data, and present their results. The students will be prepared to enter various local and state, national and international science competitions.

This course builds on the skills acquired in Research 1 and 2 and is intended for students to be prepared to participate in high level science competitions such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search, Google Science Fair and Long Island Science and Engineering Fair in their senior year. Students will be guided towards developing a research question that they can pursue during the school year.