Science

The overriding goal of Upper Division Science is for students to develop and use their curiosity about the natural world. They work to achieve scientific literacy – through a balanced understanding of the concepts of earth/space, biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science. They also learn scientific process skills.

Science here is a problem solving and inquiry-based discipline. Students design their own investigations and carry them out – doing research and building working models. They present their work and critique the work of others. Technology is used in all phases of the program.

Students begin small experiments in seventh grade, which lead up to a Science Expo – for which each student designs and carries out a major investigation. Some examples of in-class experiments include extracting DNA from food and students’ own cells and designing a complex machine that can “scale the walls” of a medieval castle.

Students study life sciences one year and physical sciences the next. The major topic covered during the year rotates.