FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Caroline Bottega’s Marine Science students measure their resting heart rate, then measure it while holding their breath — with their faces in ice water — to see how it changes. The experiment is supposed to show how the mammalian dive reflex causes one’s heart rate to decrease in cold water for survival. The results are mixed, so Ms. Bottega asks students how they could change their strategy for next time to improve their results.

Marine Biology

▸ 1 CREDIT; GRADES 11, 12, PG ONLY; PREREQUISITES: BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY

How have organisms adapted to the extreme conditions of the ocean? What properties of ocean ecosystems allow such diversity of marine life to flourish?

Students will study the biology of marine organisms and the biological and physical processes that affect these organisms, their populations, and their coastal and oceanic ecosystems. Topics will include marine ecosystems, diversity of marine organisms, and the ocean environment, as well as the importance of marine habitats to terrestrial habitats. Students will learn about the biology, evolution, and ecology of organisms that inhabit these environments, from the microbial to marine mammals, and the ecological processes linking them. This course will include several dissections, such as squid and dogfish shark.

Humans And The Marine Environment

▸ 1 CREDIT; GRADES 11, 12, PG ONLY; PREREQUISITES: BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY

“Science is an innately collaborative process,” she says. “When things donʼt go to plan on the first try, we are simply acting as true scientists. Reflection after a lesson or experiment is always needed in order to pinpoint what worked, what did not, and what could be changed to improve the next time around.”

Ms. Bottega notes that her goal is to make science as approachable as possible and look for ways to relate complex or new topics to things students experience every day.

“Learning is a lifelong skill that does not end at the classroom door,” she adds. “I hope my students will remember the moments when a lesson broadened the way they viewed an aspect of their world.”

How do oceans shape global communities? How have human activities and development impacted marine environments? In this course, students will investigate issues related to the loss of marine resources and threats to coastal communities through the lens of human activity and global climate change. The goal of this elective is two-fold. First, students will explore the diverse ecosystems within the global ocean to understand oceanic processes and how they are impacted by human activities. They will explore a variety of human-induced stressors to understand their sources and how they can play a role in reducing their impacts. Second, students will explore the natural hazards that come from coastal living, such as hurricanes, flooding, and rise in sea level, amplified by global climate change. Topics will investigate mitigation and adaptation strategies and focus on local impacts seen on our own coastline.

Genetics And Biotechnology

▸ 1 CREDIT; GRADES 11, 12, PG ONLY; PREREQUISITES: BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY; OFFERED 2023-2024

How is DNA technology used in forensic science, medicine, environmental clean-up, and genetically modified foods?

The course will begin with the study of genetics. It includes the study of gene development and the structure and function of DNA in plants, animals, humans, and bacteria with a focus on how the characteristics of a species are passed from one generation to the next. This course will introduce students to the rapidly changing field of biotechnology. Revolutionary advances in the field of molecular biology have made it possible to use cells and molecules to address problems like the detection and treatment of HIV, the identification of gene functions, and the production of new antibiotics and new plant varieties. Students will learn how to use various biotechnology techniques to explore gene function and pertinent applications from genetic engineering to modern biological problems. This is a lab-based course.

Kinesiology

▸ 1 CREDIT; GRADES 11, 12, PG ONLY; PREREQUISITES: BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY; OFFERED 2023-2024

What is kinesiology, and why does it matter?

From health, exercise, and rehabilitation to physical and occupational therapy, kinesiology is part of the physical movement in our daily lives. The principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to our physical movements will be the focus of study in this course. Students will examine human movement from a variety of perspectives, including injury prevention and rehabilitation, biomechanics, sports, and exercise physiology. In addition, motor control and development of both the upper and lower extremities will be explored through lab work.

Astronomy

▸ 1 CREDIT; GRADES 10, 11, 12, PG ONLY; PREREQUISITE: ALGEBRA 2

What’s in the night sky and “out there”?

Students will combine observational and mathematical techniques to study the physical nature of our solar system and universe at large. Topics of study will include diurnal motion, planetary and atmospheric science, formation of solar systems and galaxies, stellar evolution, and cosmology.

Climate Science And Solutions

▸ 1 CREDIT; GRADES 11, 12, PG ONLY

How do we know that the climate crisis has arrived? How will knowledge of the past aid solutions for the future?

Humanity has reached an unprecedented moment in our collective history when the observed, rapid changes in our global climate system threaten our collective way of life. To answer the question of “How did we get here?”, students will analyze paleoclimate reconstructions, understand current observations of our changing climate, and make predictions about our future climate. Students will learn to communicate effectively about Earth’s changing climate using an Earth system perspective. Students will consider the role of local, federal, and international policy in reducing the emission of anthropogenic greenhouse gasses and investigate global environmental initiatives as models for future success.

Environmental Applications And Design

▸ 1 CREDIT; GRADES 11, 12, PG ONLY

What are the challenges associated with the control of nature? What opportunities are there for mitigation and adaptation?

Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has attempted to engineer the environment with the goal of controlling natural Earth processes. Through case studies, students will learn how to evaluate the varying degrees of success in “controlling nature,” exploring the borderlands between our engineered landscapes and Earth’s natural ecosystems. The students’ focus will be guided toward the negative consequences of global climate change seen in the severity and frequency of environmental risks and disasters. Although the exacerbation of our vulnerability to natural disasters may seem to indicate a climate catastrophe, students will conclude this course by evaluating engineering solutions designed to increase environmental resilience and decrease the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gasses.