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BYRON HIGH SCHOOL | HOME OF THE TIGERS
The Process of Science at Byron Community High School Team Members: Ryan Dannhorn, Catherine Finn, James Jackson, Mike McHale and Duane Prax The science team at Byron Community High School continues to offer fantastic opportunities for kids in a variety of different activities. We have been working the last few years to implement more and more content and skills that align with the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards). This has come with challenges and obstacles for both staff and students, but we continue to show progress in both content and skills. Here are a few of the latest highlights from our classes: Chemistry B This curriculum is being completely revamp this school year. Students have been exposed to a curriculum that is rooted in discovery/inquiry and tests have been much more skill based than a traditional “pen to paper” exam. The amount of student engagement and learning has been significantly higher than in past years. A huge amount of credit needs to be given to Mr. Ryan Dannhorn and Mr. James Jackson for spending many hours devising a curriculum that is much better suited for this student population. Work and success will continue in this area. AP Chemistry/Chemistry A AP Chemistry is being offered again at BHS after taking a year
off due to staff turnover. Each of these courses are essentially college prep courses. Much time and effort has focused on creating better study habits, study skills, and Vernier data gathering software and data analysis. Biology I Students in Biology have recently concluded an instructional unit in which they learned about the process of science and improving their understanding of homeostatic balance in the body. This unit concluded with an experimental design lab that focused on variables that potentially influence the heart rate recovery. These labs were designed and performed by students, appropriate data was gathered using the Vernier software and the findings of their study was presented to a group of their peers. We were really practicing science as we learned about the process and how it actually works. Physics Students in honors physics have recently completed an instructional unit on 2D motion in which they investigated the motion of projectile objects. A common theme throughout the course has been experimental design as students are often given prompts/questions and asked to design methods to solve these questions. The course utilizes the use of Vernier software and probe-ware whenever possible. Students in conceptual physics just completed an instruction unit on momentum and rotational momentum while utilizing many of the everyday
objects in their daily lives to help explain the physics concepts. We recently completed our discussion of conservation of angular momentum using the
now famous YouTube “water bottle flip” to help create a hands on activity and explore the reason behind a perfect water bottle flip.