SCIENCE

Science, the study of the natural world, provides a sense of order and wonder in the universe. The science curriculum at Hun focuses on the process, practice, and skills of science comprehension by teaching inquiry and problem solving. Students are encouraged to express curiosity about our world through an appreciation of the simplicity and complexity of science. Our program relies on creativity, open-mindedness, inquisitiveness, and healthy skepticism. Developments in the STEM field, such as nuclear energy, genetic engineering, and organ transplants, result in complex social issues that must be intelligently addressed. As a result, students need to have a clear understanding of science and its methods. Laboratory investigations are included in all science courses in order to engage students in the exploration of questions about the natural world. Guest speakers, fieldwork, and experiential learning enrich the curriculum and encourage development of peer collaboration and critical thinking skills that allow students to assess the benefits and risks inherent in modern technology. There are many open avenues of communication in our classes so that ideas are shared and possible consequences of various courses of action are thought through. The primary goal of the Science Department is to help our students develop a capacity for lifelong learning, as we encourage them to think critically and independently and to continue to be scientifically informed citizens who will be active participants in the global community.

Biology

▸ 3 CREDITS; REQUIRED COURSE FOR GRADUATION

How does the environment shape organisms and their behaviors?

Students will study life in the biosphere and the various interactions that occur between living things by engaging in experience-based instructional activities such as laboratory investigations, case studies, fieldwork, projects, and inquiry discussions. Ecological relationships and evolution are the two main concepts around which major biological themes are investigated. Among these themes are science as inquiry, the diversity and unity of pattern in all living things, evolution by natural selection, the continuity of life through genetics, human systems, and the application of science to personal issues and societal programs. Students will develop skills that include collaboration with others, graphical representation of information, use of data to draw logical conclusions, and effective oral and written communication.

Advanced Placement Biology

▸ 3 CREDITS; PREREQUISITES: GRADE OF 93 IN BIOLOGY AND 85 IN CHEMISTRY HONORS AND RECOMMENDATION OF CURRENT INSTRUCTOR

How did life on Earth evolve, and what are the processes that organisms use to grow, reproduce, and interact with their environment?

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. While the College Board has established the big ideas of this course as well as specific objectives, students will engage in an intellectual challenge that encourages them to ask questions, design inquiries, and apply knowledge to new situations. The course is a crucible of self-learning, as much as it is an in-depth introduction to the concepts of evolution, energy transformation, information exchange, and ecological interactions. Students will come away with an understanding and appreciation for the science of biology as a process and a personal experience in scientific inquiry that develops their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, along with their creativity and collaborative abilities. This is a lab-intensive course. All students are required to take the AP exam at the end of the year.

Chemistry

▸ 3 CREDITS; PREREQUISITE: BIOLOGY; REQUIRED COURSE FOR GRADUATION

How is the basic knowledge of scientific principles not only useful but also crucial in a comprehensive understanding of life?

Chemistry is often referred to as “the central science,” and for good reason: it impacts each of our daily lives in a profound