Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - Physical and Life Sciences

This course is designed to help 7^th graders explore the world around them by asking questions and seeking answers. Its goal is to make them successful in the realm of science and discovery. This course uses an integrated science approach divided into two areas physical sciences and life sciences. Lessons are planned in a fun and highly engaging way. Varied approaches to learning are implemented and include direct instruction, independent work and research, investigations, activities, lab design and experiments, cooperative group work, essays, posters, tests, presentations, videos and projects. In addition to science content, students learn how science affects society, how to research, how to differentiate science and pseudoscience, and how to become competent and confident when designing labs and independent scientific investigations.

In this course, 8^th graders cover units from the three areas of science. They start by acquiring the basic skills needed for writing a lab report, investigating, experimenting, analyzing, and graphing data. In chemistry, they learn all about the atom. In biology, they learn about the human body and genetics. And in physics, they explore energy. Lessons are planned in a fun and highly engaging manner. A varied approach to learning is implemented including direct instruction, independent work and research, investigations, activities, lab design and experiments, cooperative group work, essays, posters, tests, presentations, videos, and projects.

Integrated Science, at the regular level, provides students with a clear, engaging, and conceptually grounded introduction to the three core scientific disciplines: physics, chemistry, and biology. The course emphasizes understanding before memorization, helping students see how major scientific ideas connect, build meaning, and explain the world around them.

Students explore physics concepts such as motion, forces, energy, and waves; key chemistry ideas including matter, atomic structure, bonding, reactions, and basic chemical processes; and foundational biology topics such as cells, genetics, human systems, ecology, and life processes. Each area develops gradually, allowing students time to understand ideas conceptually, discuss them, observe examples, and relate science to real-life situations.

Hands-on experiences play an essential role. Students engage in demonstrations, guided investigations, structured practical work, and problem-solving activities designed to develop curiosity, scientific thinking, and confidence.

Emphasis is placed on building strong scientific literacy through interpreting data, understanding models, asking thoughtful questions, and communicating ideas clearly. By the end of the course, students gain a well-rounded understanding of the big ideas in physics, chemistry, and biology. They develop greater confidence in science, stronger reasoning skills, and an appreciation for how science explains natural phenomena and supports informed decision-making in everyday life.

Integrated Science, at the accelerated level, is designed for motivated students who want a deeper and faster-paced exploration of physics, chemistry, and biology, and who are likely to pursue advanced level sciences in the future. Expectations for pace, independence, and precision are appropriately higher than the regular course.

The course emphasizes conceptual mastery while also developing mathematical reasoning, quantitative skills, and scientific problem-solving. Students investigate physics topics such as forces, motion, energy, momentum, and waves with greater analytical depth. In chemistry, they explore atomic structure, bonding, chemical reactions, gases, and quantitative relationships in chemistry. In biology, they examine cellular processes, genetics, human biology, and ecological interactions with a stronger emphasis on mechanisms, systems thinking, and evidence-based reasoning.

Learning in the accelerated course is inquiry-rich and intellectually challenging. Students engage in higher-level experimental design, data analysis, modeling, and application-based questioning. They are expected to reason scientifically, justify conclusions, communicate explanations clearly, and collaborate effectively while maintaining a strong sense of academic responsibility. Mathematics is used meaningfully where appropriate to support understanding; never as a barrier, but as a tool that deepens thinking and prepares students for advanced study.

By the end of the course, students build a strong conceptual and analytical foundation in physics, chemistry, and biology. They are equipped with the thinking skills, confidence, and academic readiness needed to transition successfully into advanced science pathways.

This course is designed to teach core computer programming logic and reasoning skills using a robotics engineering context, enabling students to design, build and program an autonomous robot to do various missions. This is done through the Engineering design process and by using the Mindstorms EV3-g programming language as well as Robot C (C++) coding and advanced programming. The course gives real life applications in Physics, Computer science, Medicine, and Artificial Intelligence. It prepares students for more advanced robotics and the use of a variety of microcontrollers (VEX, Tetrix, Arduino). Students learn new skill sets in teamwork, strategizing, prioritizing, ethics and gracious professionalism.

Note: Open to 9^th graders

Course length: Fall semester only

Aeronautical Engineering introduces students to the science, engineering, and applied technology behind unmanned aerial systems. The course develops a strong understanding of how drones fly, how their systems operate, and how aeronautical engineering principles translate into real-world performance, design, and innovation.

Students begin by exploring the evolution of flight and the rise of modern drone technology, learning how aerodynamics, thrust, lift, drag, and weight interact to achieve controlled and stable flight. They examine key structural and mechanical components including frames, motors, propellers, power systems, and flight controllers, gaining insight into how each contributes to flight efficiency and maneuverability.

A significant focus is placed on flight control, navigation, and onboard systems. Students study sensors such as gyroscopes, accelerometers, optical flow, GPS, and altitude systems, learning how drones maintain orientation, stability, and precision.

They also explore real-world drone applications in engineering, agriculture, filmmaking, emergency response, conservation, delivery systems, and infrastructure monitoring.

Hands-on inquiry is central to the course. Students test flight behaviors, analyze movement responses, troubleshoot performance issues, and evaluate flight data to improve stability and accuracy.

Safety, responsibility, and ethics are consistently emphasized, with students learning about regulations, airspace awareness, risk management, and responsible operational practice.

By the end of the course, students develop a working knowledge of how drones fly, how engineering choices affect performance, and how aeronautical technology is shaping the future of transportation, automation, and innovation.

Prerequisites: 10^th grade and above, and completion of a conceptual level science course

This course focuses on fundamental aspects of the universe, how it came to be, and how we observe it. It also examines the night sky and how human understanding of the cosmos has evolved over millennia in various cultures around the world. Utilizing the new school observatory, the course introduces tools and methods to answer questions such as: How far away are stars and galaxies? What are stars made of? What type of planets orbit other stars? What types of galaxies are there? How old is the universe? Is there life beyond Earth? This course is primarily project-based and, in addition to the class day, evening observing classes are held regularly at the observatory.

Prerequisites: Algebra II and at least a year of physical sciences (physics preferred)

Environmental Studies develops students’ understanding of how natural systems function and how human activity shapes the environment at local, regional, and global scales. The course explores the interdependence between people and the planet, emphasizing how environmental knowledge can be applied to real-world decision-making and sustainable management.

Students explore core themes including ecosystem structure and biodiversity, natural resources and their use, population growth and urbanization, agriculture and food security, water supply, energy systems, climate and atmospheric processes, and waste and pollution management. Each topic is guided by essential questions: How do these systems work? How are they being affected? What responses are realistic, ethical, and sustainable?

Problem-solving is central to the course. Students investigate case studies from around the world, examining how culture, economics, and development influence environmental choices and outcomes. They critique environmental policies, assess risks, and explore trade-offs to understand that environmental decisions rarely have simple answers.

Practical inquiry plays a major role. Students develop fieldwork and investigation skills, collect and analyze data, interpret environmental indicators, and present evidence-based arguments. They also reflect on personal responsibility, community action, and global citizenship in promoting sustainable living.

By the end of the course, students will have a strong understanding of environmental challenges and practical strategies to address them, while building scientific literacy, critical thinking skills, and a responsible, informed perspective toward the Earth’s future.

Prerequisites: 10^th grade and above, and completion of a conceptual level science course

This course provides students with skills needed to enhance their learning of biology, and provide them with knowledge they will be able to use later on in AP Biology. Concepts are covered in depth and at a faster pace. Topics include biochemistry, cell biology, cellular respiration, heredity and genetics. Concepts are reinforced with laboratory experiments that students carry out. Students are also required to review scientific papers and analyze case studies.

Prerequisites: Completion of CHM 401: Accelerated Chemistry, department consent; open to 11^th and 12^th graders.

This course is a prerequisite for BIO 501.

Students become familiar with the principles of chemistry and scientific inquiry through hands-on experimentation. This course traces the developments that led to our modern understanding of atomic theory and its applications to diverse topics from states of matter to chemical bonding, chemical reactions, solutions, thermodynamics, and acid/base chemistry. Students design and conduct their own scientific investigations and present and debate their findings as a scientific community. Students with a strong foundation in proportional and mathematical reasoning are exposed to a fast-paced and rigorous conceptual curriculum, laying the groundwork for future advanced courses in chemistry.

Note: Open to 10^th, 11^th and 12^th graders

Prerequisites: A minimum average of B+ in an introductory science course (PHY 101 or BIO 101) and completion of or parallel enrollment in Algebra II, as well as departmental consent. This course is a prerequisite for CHM 501.

Accelerated Physics strives to make a connection between everyday physics and the natural world, with numerous connections made through kinesthetic applications and scenario-based learning. This course investigates the topics of Newtonian mechanics: motion, force, energy and momentum conservation; and topics in the physics of electricity, magnetism, waves and optics. Students use both qualitative and quantitative methods to develop understanding of these fundamental concepts, backed by technical and analytical approaches. Laboratory activities are a major component of the course, regular laboratory exercises focus on data collection and analysis in order to make abstract concepts tangible as we investigate phenomena that we see in our everyday life. This course assumes proficiency in basic algebraic skills. Students may take the ACT subject test upon completion of the course.

Prerequisites: Department consent. Students must have earned an average of a B+ or higher in Algebra II. This course is a prerequisite for PHY 501 and PHY 502.

This capstone-like course is designed to introduce students to the different engineering disciplines and challenges of Jordan while teaching them engineering design principles through project-based learning. Students work on projects targeting different challenges of Jordan, working closely with the instructor and consultants.

Prerequisites: Department consent, Pre-Calculus (or Accelerated Pre-Calculus) and PHY 401: Accelerated Physics.

This course focuses on enduring, conceptual understandings and the content that supports it. This approach enables students to spend less time on factual recall and more time on inquiry-based learning of essential concepts. It enables them to develop the reasoning skills necessary to engage in the science practices used throughout their study of this course. Students also develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts in and across domains. The course covers diverse topics, from the inner workings of a cell in biochemistry and heredity to how organisms have evolved and learned to interact with one another. Laboratory work is an integral component and students are exposed to simple experiments such as diffusion and osmosis to more complex experiments that deal with molecular biology. Enrolled students are required to sit for the AP Biology Exam in May.

Prerequisites: Bio 401: Accelerated Biology and CHM 401: Accelerated Chemistry with a B+ or higher in both courses.

This course is modeled around a comparable college course that aligns with college level standards. The course curriculum has been developed to promote enduring, conceptual understanding by implementing inquiry-based learning. This approach helps students to develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills necessary to engage in the science practices used throughout the course and in real life. The course explores major topics in modern inorganic chemistry at the first-year college level. Through extensive laboratory work, independent reading and class discussion, students investigate topics such as atomic structure, nuclear chemistry, bonding, equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics and electrochemistry. Enrolled students are required to sit for the AP Chemistry exam in May.

Prerequisites: Students have earned a B+ or higher in the CHM 401: Accelerated Chemistry course and Algebra II. Department consent is required.

This course is the equivalent to a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics. It is designed to enable students to develop a deep understanding of the content and to focus on applying their knowledge through inquiry labs. The course covers Newtonian mechanics, including rotational dynamics and angular momentum; work, energy, and power; and mechanical waves and sound. It also introduces electric circuits. Enrolled students are required to sit for the AP Physics 1 Exam in May.

Prerequisites: Students have earned a B+ or higher in the PHY 401: Accelerated Physics course and Algebra II. Department consent is required.

This course is designed to simulate college-level study for those students who show particular strength in mathematics. It aims to develop students’ ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize scientific information. It covers kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy and power, system of particles and linear momentum, circular motion and rotation, and oscillations and gravitation. The course also includes a hands-on laboratory component comparable to an introductory college-level physics course. Calculus is used freely in formulating principles and in solving problems. Enrolled students are required to sit for the AP Physics C exam in May.

Prerequisites: Students have earned a B+ or higher in PHY 401: Accelerated Physics and AP Calculus AB. Department consent is required.

This upper-level science elective investigates the structures and functions of the brain and nervous system. The course covers each of the five senses so that students develop a scientific understanding of how we perceive the world around us. Additionally, students look at different neurotransmitters in the brain and explore their pathways to determine the significance they have on our actions and behaviors. In the second half of the course, students examine diseases and disorders of the brain, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, drug addiction and mental illness so they can see how neural degeneration impacts our lives and those around us. The course will culminate in group projects that allow for in-depth research into a topic of interest and will result in multimedia presentations.

Prerequisites or concurrent course requirements: Department consent is required. Students have earned a B+ or higher in BIO 401: Accelerated Biology and HRS 503: AP Psychology or CHM 501: AP Chemistry.