Grade 8-10 science courses explore a range of topics from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth/Space Science. Our goals in Junior Science are to develop foundational Science knowledge and to build scientific thinking. Through hands-on and collaborative activities, students explore and develop their science skills: observing, questioning, experimenting, finding patterns in data, and connecting observations to theory. Development of key ideas, vocabulary, and numeracy skills lays the groundwork for future studies in science.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES 8-10
Students who are deeply interested in the sciences and who are enthusiastic about exploring new can sign up for enrichment opportunities at their grade level. Students will engage with their grade level curriculum in their science class and will receive teacher support to pursue independent enrichment projects. Such projects could include a science fair or inquiry project, a novel study, a place-based activity, or a community project.
* If you are interested in ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES, it is important to indicate this in your COURSE REQUESTS in MyEd when selecting your courses for next year.
SCIENCE 8
Science 8 uses models to explore scientific ideas. What’s inside a cell? What are the building blocks that make up our world? How do waves behave? What causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and the landscape around us? Students learn to work safely in a laboratory setting as we explore these ideas together.
SCIENCE 9
Science 9 focuses on cycles and relationships. How and why do elements react with one another? Why do different species reproduce in different ways? How do cell processes support reproduction? How can we build and adjust electrical circuits? How do human actions impact our environment? Explore the cause & effect relationships in the world around us.
SCIENCE 10
Science 10 focuses on conservation: everything comes from somewhere! How is matter rearranged in chemical reactions? Which principles govern energy transformations? How is genetic information conserved when we inherit traits from our parents? How does conservation apply to an expanding universe?
While our graduation program requires students to take a minimum of ONE science class at the grade 11 or 12 level, students are encouraged to take as many as they like to meet their interests and their post-secondary planning requirements.
LIFE SCIENCES 11
Life Sciences 11 concentrates on unity and diversity, form and function of organisms, the theory of evolution, and ecological relationships. It is designed to foster a sense of wonder about the world and its organisms – single-celled creatures, plants, fungus, and animals – while encouraging a sense of responsibility to sustain it.
LIFE SCIENCES 11 HONOURS & AP BIOLOGY 12 *Students must sign up for both and complete them in a single school year.
LIFE SCIENCES 11 HONOURS and AP BIOLOGY 12 (students must choose both) This rigorous program is designed to cover both semesters so students must enroll in both courses. The two courses cover the objectives of Life Sciences 11 and Anatomy and Physiology 12 in much greater depth and detail, as well as additional material for Advanced Placement. The content-rich Biology course is designed, in accordance with the guidelines set by the College Board, to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. The Units covered include Biomolecules, Cellular Structure and Function, Cellular Energetics, Cellular Communication, Genetics, Natural Selection, and Ecology are some of the topics covered. This course is open to any students who are prepared and committed to do extensive inquiry-based research and labs, as well as be prepared to work independently. Upon completion, students will receive a total of 12 credits. If a score of 3 or greater is achieved on the AP Biology Exam, the student will receive credit for a first year Introductory Biology course at the college/university level. The AP Biology exam will be written in May.
CHEMISTRY 11
Chemistry is the central discipline that connects the branches of science, since matter and its reactions affect every aspect of our world. A strong basis in chemistry is useful for all science pathways. Chemistry 11 reviews and deepens students’ understanding of atoms and molecules, reactions, and chemical naming. It then introduces the mole concept as a tool for mathematical analysis of chemical reactions. Through this course students will develop practical laboratory skills along with their ability to answer questions using scientific experiments.
CHEMISTRY 11 HONOURS & AP CHEMISTRY 12 – *Students must sign up for both and complete them in a single school year.
This program is designed to cover both semesters so students must request both courses. The two courses cover the objectives of Chemistry 11 and 12 as well as additional material for Advanced Placement. The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory chemistry course. College Board guidelines are followed in the design of the course. Many topics in Chemistry 11 and 12 are covered in more detail than in the regular course. In addition, topics such as thermodynamics and thermo chemistry are studied. Upon completion, students will receive a total of 12 credits. The AP Chemistry exam will be written in May.
The AP Chemistry course provides students with a foundation to support future advanced course work in chemistry. Through inquiry-based learning, students develop critical thinking and reasoning skills. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry and science practices as they explore topics such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium.
PHYSICS 11
Physics 11 covers four big ideas: Motion in 1D and 2D, Forces in 1D and 2D, Energy, Current Electricity and Waves with a major focus on describing how and why objects move in one-dimension and two-dimensions. This course serves as a foundation for many post-secondary courses in science, engineering, and kinesiology.
PHYSICS 11: APPLIED SCIENCE (combined with Engineering 11 -afterschool linear class)
Physics 11 covers four big ideas: Motion in 1D and 2D, Forces in 1D and 2D, Energy, Current Electricity and Waves with a major focus on describing how and why objects move in one-dimension and two-dimensions. This course serves as a foundation for many post-secondary courses in science, engineering, and kinesiology.
PHYSICS 11 HONOURS & AP PHYSICS I *Students must sign up for both and complete them in a single school year.
Physics 11 HONOURS and AP PHYSICS 1 (students must choose both) This program is designed to cover both semesters so students must request both courses. The two courses cover the objectives of Physics 11 and 12 as well as additional material for Advanced Placement.
Advanced Placement (AP) Physics I is an intensive study in a range of physics topics including Kinematics (linear and rotational); Forces and Torque, Energy, Linear and Angular Momentum, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Waves, and Simple Harmonic Motion. This course demands motivated students who are enthusiastic to address the material quickly and who will complete independent study on the concepts. Fluency in the language of math is critical in this course as equation manipulation and trigonometry will be used regularly. There is an opportunity to complete an AP Exam associated with AP Physics I.
AP PHYSICS II -12 (*Completed after AP Physics I)
Advanced Placement (AP) Physics II is an intensive study of Fluids, Electric Force and Fields, Electromagnetism, and Optics, may be pursued after AP Physics I or Physics 12, upon recommendation by a physics teacher. This course demands motivated students who are enthusiastic to address the material quickly and who will complete independent study on the concepts. Fluency in the language of math is critical in this course as equation manipulation and trigonometry will be used regularly. There is an opportunity to complete an AP Exam associated with AP Physics II.
SCIENCE FOR CITIZENS 11
Science for Citizens 11 invites students to explore scientific concepts and processes that are relevant to their daily lives. It focuses on application of knowledge to real-world situations, and helps students build their skills in the areas of evidence-based decision making and scientific literacy. This course incorporates hands-on and project-based learning as often as possible.
The curriculum in Science for Citizens is flexible, allowing each class to pursue topics of interest. Possible units include human health, environmental science, forensics, household chemistry, disaster preparedness, lab skills and procedures (including workplace safety), forces and machines, engineering/design, and more.
EARTH SCIENCE 11
Earth Science 11 examines many of the characteristics, processes, distributions, and interactions among the physical components of the Earth’s surface. Students explore the way the physical environment is used, misused, and altered by humans. How are Earth’s materials changed as they cycle through the geosphere and are used as resources. What are the consequences of tectonic plate interactions? How does the transfer of energy through the atmosphere create weather, and how is this transfer affected by climate change? How does the distribution of water influence weather and climate? What is the origin of Earth and the solar system?
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 12
Anatomy and Physiology 12 focuses on human biology and the compounds that comprise our bodies. It allows students to develop an appreciation for how our diverse body systems work together to maintain homeostasis. In this course, students will learn about cell structure, biochemical processes, and organ systems. In addition to this, students will study how the body may respond to illnesses and/or infections. This course encourages students to develop a stronger sense of interest in human anatomy and become more curious about biological processes.
CHEMISTRY 12
Welcome to the “why” of chemistry! More challenging, more theoretical and more intriguing than Chemistry 11 – Chemistry 12 delves deeper into the central principles governing chemical interactions. Reaction kinetics and equilibrium are explored in the contexts of solubility, acid/base chemistry, and oxidation/reduction reactions.
PHYSICS 12
Physics 12 is developed around four big ideas: Frames of Reference in Classical and Modern Relativity Models, Rotational and Translational Equilibrium through Force and Torque Analysis, Circular Motion – Dynamics and Energy analysis extended to Celestial Bodies, Static Electricity, Fields Interaction, and Momentum Conservation. Students will build upon their knowledge and skills developed in Physics 11 with additional study on physical laws, their related theories, and the mathematical relationships.
AP ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 12
AP Environmental Studies 12 is designed to be the equivalent of a one semester introductory college course in environmental science. Topics include Earth Systems and Resources, The Living World, Population, Land and Water Use, Energy Resources and Consumption, Pollution and Global Change. Completion of Chemistry 11 and Biology 11 is recommended.