Science Course Sequence
The History and Science of Our World (Earth Science) Note: This is a required course for all ninth graders starting with the Class of 2025. This course awards students both a history and science credit and is taught as a “double-block” taking up two class periods. Students explore diverse science and humanities through a carefully crafted and interdisciplinary curriculum to get a bigger sense of the stories of Us, the creation of the universe, and the ascent of mankind. Students create “Big Questions”, design research, and claim test theories, while developing thinking skills, mindsets, and mature study skills which will set them on the path to maximize their Upper School experience. The course is designed in conjunction with the grade 9 English experience to combine the best of a curated interdisciplinary model across these disciplines. From the Big Bang to the Enlightenment, students will be challenged to consider diverse human conditions and issues, allowing them to form their personal responses to parallel questions in the modern world. As this course covers both the History and Science of our World, it receives both a science and a history credit. 9 Biology (Life Science) Students in this laboratory course study the basic principles of biology from chemical structures of biomacromolecules to global connections in biogeochemical cycles. Units on modern tools and research, ranging from genetics and biotechnology to evolution, introduce students to future directions in the field.
