Science

Science allows students to understand and interact with the world around them. At Presentation, the science curriculum empowers students to ask questions, seek answers, collect information and problem-solve through active, hands-on STEM learning.

Students build fundamental knowledge through a strong core curriculum of Biology, Chemistry and Physics while exploring the wider scientific world through electives such as AP Environmental Science and Anatomy and Physiology. Science approaches learning through student investigation and alignment with NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards).

In the Field Have you always wanted to bottle-feed a baby jaguar, track hyenas, snorkel with sea lions or trek through the rainforest? Our experienced faculty members lead regular conservation and field research trips to countries around the world. Previous trips abroad include the Galapagos Islands, the Bahamas, Africa, Costa Rica and more!

Hands-On Curriculum Exciting, hands-on learning is the core of Presentation’s science program. Students at Presentation build their own cardboard boats to paddle across the pool, track water quality and wildlife at local parks and use gel electrophoresis to do DNA fingerprinting.

Independent Research Our Independent Research program is for students who want to break away from traditional curriculum by creating their own original projects and experiments. Students are mentored by experienced faculty and present their findings at local and national science fairs.

Student Spotlight

Zara Shariff ’20

“I love the science classes at Pres because they not only teach us the material, they ensure that we, as students, understand the real life applications. I see how science applies to things in my everyday life: driving to school, the actions I take to decrease my carbon footprint, etc. My science classes have especially helped me fathom deeper concepts in my extracurriculars. For instance, in Robotics, I designed a new part of a robot that focused on torque, and I was able to apply the concept because of what I learned in my physics class. In fact, my physics classes have propelled my desire to go into Mechanical Engineering.”

Standard Course of Study

Freshman Year Note: Not all freshman take a science course.

• Biology I or Honors Biology I*

Sophomore Year • Biology I, Chemistry or Biology II • Honors Chemistry*

Junior and Senior years

• Chemistry • Biology II • Anatomy & Physiology • Earth Science • AP Biology • AP Chemistry • AP Environmental Science • Honors Physics • AP Physics I • Independent Research • Engineering

*Honors/Advanced Placement (Placement is determined by performance on challenge tests).