CSS

Science

I. Philosophy

Science instruction at CSS is intended to accomplish three goals. The first is to nurture in the student an understanding and appreciation of science and the role of human culture in nature, and to teach questioning and formulating hypotheses at all levels. This pursuit includes observational science and natural history. Secondly, the curriculum educates students in the historical development of the major unifying theories in modern science at age appropriate levels. For example in physics students study Newton's laws; in biology, life cycles and evolution; and in earth science, the rock cycle and plate tectonics. Students evaluate the role of science in history and in modern times. This involves teaching about science and the historical context of scientific discovery. A third effort is to teach students how science is done, and how scientific investigation differs from other types of thinking. This includes repetitive exposure to the scientific method, and repeated contrasts between scientific thought and artistic, religious, and valuative approaches to problem solving.

II. Performance Goals and Objectives

The goals and performance objectives for the Science Department are as follows:

  1. To encourage critical thinking and questioning by students of the world around them
  2. To teach students how to make careful observations as well as to collect and analyze data
  3. To assist students with the development of logical and age appropriate thinking skills pertaining to real life situations
  4. To help students acquire the language of science resulting in an ability to communicate in a technical manner
  5. To assist students in understanding the relationship between structure and function in the natural world
  6. To help students incorporate different scientific disciplines in the exploration of the complex phenomena (e.g., life zones and animal adaptations as they relate to climate)

III. Instructional Strategies

The instructional strategies employed by all grades to accomplish these goals are as follows:

  1. Traditional Strategies
    1. Field trips are used for topics that are easily observed, counted, or measured
    2. Teacher, guest speaker, or student led lecture
    3. Research from simple observation to complex measurement
    4. Audio-visual aids such as movies, science-related DVDs, computers, computer applications, websites, laser discs, slides, filmstrips, photos
    5. Students as teachers, presenting material or leading in a cooperative learning setting
    6. Class discussion and debate
    7. Training and practice on science equipment
    8. Student designed experiences
  2. Experience-based Strategies

IV. Assessment Techniques

To assure that our department and students are meeting these goals, the following assessment techniques are applied:

  1. Homework to reinforce classroom experiences
  2. Age appropriate journals or reports
  3. Participation
  4. Verbal questioning
  5. Anecdotal records
  6. Lab work
  7. Quizzes and tests

Upper School Science Courses

Courses that have been offered over the past few years:

Required
Biology (Science 9)
Chemistry (Science 10)

Electives
AP Biology
Advanced Chemistry
Anatomy and Physiology
Astronomy
Botany
Earth, Air, Fire, and Water
Ecology
Environmental Science
Genetics
Geology
Molecular Science
Physics