MATH/SCIENCE

 

CALCULUS                                                                                      

Stephen J. Martin

In the fall, the general rules of differentiation were derived: the derivatives of sums, differences, products and quotients were found.  Derivatives were applied to find rates of change of functions as well as to locate maxima and minima.  Differentiation was applied to trigonometric functions and exponential functions.

In the winter, the chain rule will be used to calculate derivatives of composite functions.  With the chain rule, the relationship between rates of change of related functions (often pertaining to physics and other scientific disciplines) can be found.  Implicit differentiation will be used in dealing with relations. 

Applications of differentiation will be explored: logarithmic differentiation, derivatives of inverse functions, L’Hopital’s rule, differentials and derivatives of parametric functions.

Credit will be earned through the satisfactory completion of in-class and homework assignments, quizzes and examinations as well as good attendance.  Students must own a graphing calculator.

 

PRECALCULUS                                                                            

Stephen J. Martin

This upper level math course is offered to students who have successfully completed the standard math sequence including Advanced Algebra.

In the fall trimester, trigonometry was studied.  In the winter trimester, the course will begin with a review of various principles and applications of algebra.  Factoring of algebraic expressions will be performed in order to solve equations.  Inequalities will be solved in one and two dimensions.
           
The laws of exponents (positive, negative, and fractional) will be reviewed.  Natural logarithms will be studied and applied to exponential equations.  Right-triangle trigonometry will be reviewed, and radian measure will be introduced.  General trigonometry will be studied.  Vectors in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional space will be introduced.

Credit will be earned through the satisfactory completion of in-class and homework assignments, quizzes and examinations as well as good attendance.  Students must own a graphing calculator.

 

ADVANCED ALGEBRA                                    

Stephen Martin, Pamela Stokinger

Are word problems a major source of woe?  Do algebraic symbols hover ominously in your dreams?  Conquer your fears, and continue farther into the world of algebra!

This trimester in Advanced Algebra, word problems involving linear equations will be solved.  Then, exponents and their rules will be reviewed.  Next, logarithms will be introduced, and the laws governing their use will be developed.  Logarithms will be used in problem solving, especially problems involving exponential growth and decay.  Factoring will be studied: trinomials will be factored and solved.  The quadratic formula, necessary to solve general quadratic equations, will be derived and applied.  Finally, inequalities will be solved. 

Credit will be earned by successful completion of in-class and homework assignments, quizzes and examinations as well as good attendance.

Prerequisite:  Students should have successfully completed the fall trimester of Advanced Algebra or have consent of department chair.  Students must own a scientific calculator and bring it to each class.

 

INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA: Lines                                             

Mida McKenrick

In the winter trimester, we will continue our work with the algebra of linear systems. Linear and non-linear systems will be modeled.  For lines, equations will be derived from graphs and graphs from equations.  Lines involving fractions and decimals will be graphed.  Equations of lines will be derived from the coordinates of two given points or from a given slope and a given point.  The linear or non-linear nature of a function will be determined from the form of the equation.  Systems of equations involving whole number coefficients will be solved by the methods of addition, substitution and graphing.  Inequalities will be graphed on the number line and in the plane.  Linear word problems requiring use of proportions as well as the distance and density formulas will be studied. 

Credit will be earned by satisfactory completion of assignments, quizzes and exams as well as good attendance and class participation.

Prerequisites: Students should have successfully completed the fall trimester of Intermediate Algebra or have consent of department chair.  Please be sure to bring your scientific calculator to each and every class.

 

GEOMETRY                                                                                   

Skylah Selman-Jones

Have you been hearing about proofs your whole life?  Do you know what the abbreviation Q.E.D. stands for?  Join our hands-on derivative class where you will discover the principles of Geometry.  We began our work with constructions last trimester and will continue to use patty paper, compass and straight edge construction as well as manipulatives such as “angle legs” and straws to develop conjectures (theorems). These conjectures will be used in proofs.   Properties of parallel lines, scalene, isosceles and equilateral triangles, triangle congruence and the triangle inequality theorem as well as the properties of quadrilaterals and other polygons will be investigated.  The final project will be either creating a polygon book detailing these properties or creating a multi-step proof of your own and proving it!

Assessment will be based on timely completion of homework, frequent short quizzes, occasional tests, your final project, participation in class and attendance.  All areas will be considered when assigning credit.

Students should remain in this class for the full year unless the Department Head recommends a change.  Students should purchase a compass, and they will need scientific calculators as well.

 

BASIC ALGEBRA:  Lines                                                               

Mida McKenrick

The second trimester of this yearlong course in beginning algebra will continue with the basic concepts of algebra with further concentration on simple algebraic word problems and the graphing of algebraic functions.  Students will continue their work manipulating fractions and integers in both one and two-step equations.  They will solve equations for ordered pairs and graph this line on the coordinate plane. They will learn to find the x and y intercepts and to determine the slope of a line.

Course credit will be awarded for satisfactory completion of in-class and homework assignments, attendance and proficiency on the topics covered indicated by quizzes and exams.  Students are expected to support a safe, fun and respectful learning environment for everyone.

 

SURVIVAL MATH                                                                                

Siobhan Cute

As the name implies, this class is designed to meet the needs of students working on the math skills used in our everyday lives. It is open by invitation only to seniors who need help with basic math and word problems on the Math Competency Exam. While the curriculum will cover all of the topics on this test, students should also be prepared to study other material relevant to life beyond high school. All students will cover the same required topics, but time will also be allowed for us to focus on skills needed for specific sections of the Math Comp. Together we will formulate a strategy for you to prepare well in between offerings for specific sections.

Earning credit requires a minimum of 75% attendance, completion of homework and absolutely no whining!  Students who pass the Comp. during the trimester will need to continue working on material chosen by the instructor during class and as homework in order to be eligible for credit.  After successful completion of the competency exam, students will complete individual and small group project work.  Our topics will be selected from contemporary issues that our society faces, such as health care, government spending, tax structures and more.  Students will incorporate research, including statistical information, into an informative presentation.  This may be presented within the class or with a larger audience and will include graphing and statistical analysis.

 

PHYSICS                                                                                            

Stephen J. Martin

The laws of physics constitute a “User’s Guide” to the universe.  Physics helps us to understand all the phenomena we encounter, whether on earth or in space.  It explains the motion of the planets in the solar system, the motion of electrons in atoms and the motion of cars on the roller coaster.  We will learn from Newton, Galileo, Einstein, von Braun and many others.

In the winter trimester, we will continue in mechanics.  We will study the linear motion of rigid bodies from the point of view of “energy,” using the concepts of work, kinetic energy and potential energy.  Next, the angular motion of rigid bodies will be investigated using the concepts of angular velocity, angular acceleration, torque and angular momentum.  Finally, motion in continuous media, such as water waves and sound waves, will be studied. 

This course has a laboratory component.  The experiments will utilize instruments that will measure time and other quantities with precision.  Lab reports will adhere to standards of clarity, accuracy and precision.  Credit is earned through the satisfactory completion of assignments, lab reports, quizzes and exams as well as good attendance.  Students must own a scientific calculator.

 

CHEMISTRY                                                                                         

Nate Totushek           

Have you ever wondered why when you mix some things such as baking soda and vinegar together you get a reaction, but when you mix milk and cocoa powder together, you simply concoct a delicious drink?  What is the difference?  You’re mixing a powder and a liquid in both cases.  Take Chemistry, and find out the answer. 

Chemistry is a fascinating field of study that will appeal to your logic and intuition.  It is central to our understanding of the physical and biological sciences and to many modern day human concerns such as medicine, politics and economics.

This class will finally be getting into ”wet chemistry.”  We will read chapters on water, chemical reactions and acids and bases.  Homework includes problem sets and chapter outlines on each chapter.  Laboratory topics are proper preparation of solutions from stock, polarity and acid base titration.

This is a yearlong course and is NOT OPEN TO NEW STUDENTS THIS TRIMESTER.  Second trimester will cover chemical bonding, chemical reactions, stoichometry, matter and energy, the three states of matter, the mole and mole-mass conversions and acids and bases.  Credit will be based upon attendance, completion of homework assignments, quizzes and lab reports.  Come experiment and learn about chemistry in everyday life!

 

BIOLOGY B: Skin ‘n Bones                                                                     

Laurie Spry

This year we will study anatomy and physiology with emphasis on the brain. What do we know about its workings, and how did we discover this information?  How useful are rats as models?  What does research say about how we learn, about how we age and (especially!) about the teen-age brain?

We will begin at the basics of the cell cycle and relate this to neurons: brain cells. We will compare the nervous system of invertebrates to humans and discover how each ‘responds to the environment’ (a phrase you hopefully recall from first trimester). We’ll need to review basic genetics and gain an understanding of the role mutations play in evolution.  It is expected that you have already covered 9th grade material, but remedial help will be available if needed.

This is a lab course for students who have completed at least one year of high school science.  Students this trimester will write a lab report based on the Planaria investigation.  Attendance, homework, classroom effort and attitude, maintenance of a complete and well-organized notebook and your quiz/lab report scores are equally important to earning credit. Just as for first trimester, students seeking more involvement are invited to read a book, come to Tuesday discussions with me and to lead the class in exploring some of the ideas raised. The book this trimester will be The Lab Rat Chronicles.

 

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY                                      

Siobhan Ritchie Cute

“Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness.”
                                                                                                Sigmund Freud

What makes us human?  What defines healthy...stable...normal?  Why do we do what we do?  For more than 100 years, psychologists have been attempting answers to these questions through controlled experiments and analysis of data.  Since the beginning of time, however, we humans have been attempting the same through basic observation and thought.  Why did he do that?  Why didn’t she do that?  Why do I feel this way?  How can I change?  The answers are elusive.  Experts even disagree about how to approach answering the questions. 

In this introductory course, we will examine the foundations of the very broad and diverse discipline of psychology. We will examine the groundwork for a field devoted to the study of the mind laid by philosophers and biologists.  Students will gain familiarity with important pioneers in the field, including Freud, Skinner, Piaget and others.  We will determine the relevance that their works have today.  We will talk about the role psychology plays in our everyday lives.

In this 2nd trimester, we will examine the work of Sigmund Freud.  We will begin with Freud's theory of personality to gain an understanding of the id, ego, superego and the unconscious mind.  We will then explore Freud's stage theory of psychosexual development, and we will also discuss defense mechanisms and their role in motivation and behavior.  Students will have an opportunity to read from both secondary and original works, such as Freud's Interpretation of Dreams.

Students will earn credit by completing reading assignments outside of class, participating in discussions and demonstrating knowledge and commitment through quizzes and project work.

 

SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS: Forensics with Lab II                              

Laurie Spry

This yearlong class is offered for lab science credit. You’ll be introduced to real and simulated forensics techniques and become familiar with most of the equipment we have in our lab.  The crimes you’ll solve will be fictitious, but we’ll also look at some past and current mysteries.

We have learned three lab techniques so far as we work towards the final wildlife ‘crime’ to be solved in February. This trimester we’ll learn about acids and bases and how to determine the pH of a mystery solution, hone our microscope skills by examining human and animal hair, 'type' blood and most importantly continue to investigate the uses of forensic genetics. At the end of the trimester, you’ll work in teams to interview suspects and analyze evidence in a ‘real’ wildlife crime. If time allows we will consider the ethics of the death penalty and learn about the Innocence Project.

As for first trimester, you’ll need to keep a complete binder of notes and handouts, keep working on your all-important lab notebook, complete homework regularly, demonstrate appropriate behavior in the lab and find your way down there on time to earn credit in this class.  Quizzes this trimester will re-visit weak areas from first trimester as well as new content currently being covered.

This course is especially suited to freshmen but could also fulfill a lab credit for students not headed off to MIT.   Check with Laurie if you’re not sure whether you should take it.