Science Academic Program
Program Purpose
The purpose of the Science Program is to provide a personalized, competency-driven, inquiry-based, problem-centered, and integrative learning environment which promotes scientific habits of mind and gives students a firm knowledge base in the fields of biology, chemistry, and physics.
Essence of Scientific Mind
The essence of a scientific mind is to make sense of the universe through collected data, observations, and integrative reasoning. Processes that unify the science program pertain to the development of skills to gather, integrate, and understand information about profound questions. The science program aims to immerse students in inquiry, beginning with more teacher directed activities in class and progressing to student driven inquiry which often culminates in SIR or independent study work
Personalization of the Program
Personalization in the science program is reflected in both teachers’ one on one work with students outside of class, as well as in the choices presented to students as they develop their course of study. After completing the cores science classes, which include Scientific Inquiries in Chemistry, Scientific Inquiries in Biology, Scientific Inquiries in Physics, and Methods in Scientific Inquiry, students are allowed to chose from a large number of electives in each study area to complete their graduation requirements. The core science classes are taken during students’ sophomore year, but a student may take, for example, Organic Chemistry and Modern Physics, or Microbes and Disease and Advanced Chemistry as their sciences junior or senior year.,
Our Offerings
Advanced Biological Systems Advanced Chemistry – Chemical Reactions Advanced Chemistry – Structure and Properties Biochemistry Biology of Behavior Biophysics Cancer Biology Computational Science Engineering Environmental Chemistry Evolutions, Biodiversity, and Ecology Geology Medicinal Chemistry Methods in Scientific Inquiry Microbes and Disease Microcontroller Applications (Science) Modern Physics Organic Chemistry I Organic Chemistry II Pathophysiology Physics: Calculus-Based Electricity/Magnetism Physics: Calculus-Based Mechanics Physics: Sound and Light Planetary Science Scientific Inquiries – Biology Scientific Inquiries – Chemistry Scientific Inquiries – Physics Survey of Organic Chemistry
Unifying Concepts and Processes
The essence of a scientific mind is to make sense of the universe through collected data, observations, and integrative reasoning. Processes that unify the science program pertain to the development of skills to gather, integrate, and understand information about profound questions as articulated in the subset of Standards of Significant Learning listed below.
Developing tools of thought in science requires that students be immersed in inquiry. Inquiry is a process used to generate knowledge new to the learner. As students mature scientifically, they advance on a continuum from teacher-directed to self-directed inquiry. Students will also develop their ability to communicate in oral and written form and support judgments and conclusions with evidence.
I. Developing the Tools of Thought
A. Develop automaticity in skills, concepts, and process that support and enable complex thought.
B. Construct questions which further understanding, forge connections, and deepen meaning.
C. Precisely observe phenomena and accurately record findings.
D. Evaluate the soundness and relevance of information and reasoning.
II. Thinking About Thinking
A. Identify unexamined cultural, historical, and personal assumptions and misconceptions that impede and skew inquiry.
B. Find and analyze ambiguities inherent within any set of textual, social, physical, or theoretical circumstances.
III. Extending and Integrating Thought
A. Use appropriate technologies as extensions of the mind.
B. Recognize, pursue, and explain substantive connections within and among areas of knowledge.
C. Recreate the beautiful conceptions that give coherence to structures of thought.
IV. Expressing and Evaluating Constructs
A. Construct and support judgments based on evidence.
B. Write and speak with power, economy, and elegance.
C. Identify and characterize the composing elements of dynamic and organic wholes, structures, and systems.
V. Thinking and Acting with Others
B. Make reasoned decisions which reflect ethical standards, and act in accordance with those decisions.
Curriculum for Growth Mindset
Our curriculum prepares students for college and beyond; it provides the skills to take on advanced course content, technical skills for the lab and IMSA grads stand out compared to their classmates.
SCIENCE MATH ACADEMY
4010 50 Avenue #4B, Lloydminster, AB T9V 1B2
77 15th St E Prince Albert, SK S6V 1E9
5212 48 St Unit B102, Red Deer, AB T4N 7C3
Fostering the Love of Learning
We foster our students’ love of learning with the goal to develop them into critical, analytical and creative thinkers in all academic disciplines.
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