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Science

The Science Department partners with New Visions, Savvas, and others to ensure our 9th-12th graders are exposed to high quality curriculum. Most students take four years of science classes, with core science courses culminating in a NYS Regents exam. In order to qualify for NYS regents exams in our science courses, students must complete a mandated 1200 minutes of laboratory experiences. 

Living Environment (Biology) and Earth Science use New Visions Science as their curriculum; each unit of study presents an anchor phenomenon to engage students in their learning while creating real-world connections and accounting for each student’s individual perspective.  The units are designed to engage students, build skills, and provide opportunities for hands-on learning opportunities while supporting literacy through a variety of reading, writing, and discussion strategies. Each year of study develops students’ skills to support success on the NYS Regents exams and aligns to the New York State Science Learning Standards (NGSS).


Living Environment is the study of living things. The course develops content knowledge and literacy skills to support course success. 1200 minutes of laboratory time, including four mandated NYS labs. The course terminates in the NYS Living Environment regents exam.


Living Environment Thematic Units Include:

  • Unit 1: Marathon Runner
  • Unit 2: Humans versus Bacteria
  • Unit 3: Evolution of Sick Humans
  • Unit 4: Saving the Mountain Lions
  • Unit 5: Food for All
  • Unit 6: Wooly Mammoth

Earth Science is the study of the Earth, space, weather and climate. The course develops content knowledge and literacy skills to support course success. 1200 minutes of laboratory time is required to take the NYS Earth Science regents exam.


Earth Science Thematic Units Include:

  • Unit 1: Discovering New Worlds
  • Unit 2: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis
  • Unit 3: Landscapes and Surface Features
  • Unit 4: Geologic History & Evolution of Life
  • Unit 5: The Earth-Sun-Moon System
  • Unit 6: Climate Change & Severe Weather
  • Unit 7: Geography, Climate & Cities

Chemistry


This course is designed to give students an in-depth view of chemistry and prepare them for college level chemistry courses in the future. The course itself consists of both a class and a laboratory section. Topics covered include atomic structure, the periodic table, stoichiometry, chemical bonding, physical behavior of matter, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, redox and electrochemistry, organic chemistry and nuclear chemistry.


Chemistry Thematic Units Include:

  • Topic 1: The Atom
  • Topic 2: Formulas and Equations
  • Topic 3: The Mathematics of Formulas and Equations
  • Topic 4: Physical Behavior of Matter
  • Topic 5: The Periodic Table
  • Topic 6: Bonding
  • Topic 7: Properties of Solution
  • Topic 8: Kinetics and Equilibrium
  • Topic 9: Oxidation-Reduction
  • Topic 10: Acids, Bases, and salts
  • Topic 11: Organic Chemistry
  • Topic 12: Nuclear Chemistry

Advanced Coursework and Academies


  • Advanced Placement Environmental Science

Students explore and investigate the interrelationships of the natural world and analyze environmental problems, both natural and human-made. Students take part in laboratory investigations and field work. Students learn:

  • Explaining environmental concepts and processes
  • Analyzing data, visual representations, and writings
  • Applying quantitative methods in solving problems
  • Proposing a solution for an environmental problem and supporting your idea with evidence
  • Analyzing a research study to identify a hypothesis

Academy of Health Sciences (beginning in 10th grade)

Students follow the following course sequence to gain hands-on learning experiences in our innovative classrooms. Students will have opportunities to carry out patient history, vitals, cranial nerve exams, 3 lead EKGs and introduction to phlebotomy.. Students will learn CPR in class with 3B Scientific manikins with real time feedback. CPR certification will also be available for 11th and 12th grade students. Students will gain knowledge in the diagnosis/prevention and treatment/prognosis of common conditions. We partner with a variety of institutions, including Northwell Health. Students participate in:

  • Foundations Healthcore 1
  • Foundations Healthcore 2
  • Public Health

  • Criminalistics and Forensics Institute (CFI)

The vision of the Criminalistics and Forensics Institute is to empower students to succeed in real-world situations and careers by exploring opportunities in Law and the Forensic Sciences. Students will learn about the legal system and develop an understanding of scientific approaches to solving real scenarios. Students are exposed to guest speakers each year, and gain college credit through Legal Studies. Course work includes:

  • Principles of Forensic Science 1
  • Principles of Forensic Science 2
  • Criminal and Civil law
  • Legal Studies  (College Credit - SUNY Farmingdale)

Additional Electives and Course Offerings


  • Ecology and the Environment supports students to develop literacy while exploring the physical and life sciences. The course is designed to be hands-on, allowing students to gain real-world experiences through project-based learning. Thematic units are listed below and culminate in projects to show understanding.

  • Forensic Science Elective is a course that explores such areas as DNA, fingerprinting and hair analysis, tool-marks, and crime-scene evaluation. Guest speakers from various disciplines are invited to speak with students.

  • Anatomy and Physiology explores the structures and functions of the human body. Topics include cells, organ systems, homeostasis, diseases and more.