SCIENCE DEPARTMENT The Science Department encourages students to develop and expand their scientific literacy through a broad spectrum of courses and provides opportunities for hands-on learning, experimentation, and the mastery of the content of science, as well as an appreciation of the implications for science in everyday life. The Science Department is dedicated to providing all students a solid foundation in biology, physics, and chemistry. Course content reflects the view that science is most significantly a problem-solving activity that encompasses the “Three P’s”—posing questions, problem solving, and collecting evidence to put forth a persuasive argument. The science program emphasizes basic concepts, facts, how new knowledge is discovered and validated, the process of science, and the influence of science on society. We promote scientific literacy by providing students with opportunities to acquire and utilize critical thinking skills and knowledge of science and technology. All courses offered in the science department meet the UC’s “g” requirement; all courses in biology, physics, and chemistry meet the “d” requirement. “Science education is a critical component of education for the 21st century. Most policy makers and educators agree that scientific literacy is essential for all citizens in an increasingly technological world. At the same time, science education is essential to meeting the nation’s needs for scientists and engineers in an era of growing global competition in research, development, and technological innovation.” —America’s Lab Report (NRC, 2005) Buckley’s Science Department exposes students to activities beyond the school. The Middle School Science Olympiad offers students the chance to participate in local competitions through involvement in the after school program. Middle School students in the Robotics course may participate in local competitions as available. Buckley’s Team 1661 competes nationally in the FIRST Robotics Challenge for high school students. Students in the Applied Science research class compete with their projects in the Los Angeles County Science Fair and California State Science Fair each year.
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