Science

Science

The aim of the Science Department is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of science. To this end the students will be introduced to the basic terminology, concepts and theories so that they will be able to understand and apply that knowledge for a better understanding of the world. The department offers introductory courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, with advanced courses in each of these disciplines. Geology and Environmental Science are electives at the junior and senior level. The courses follow a traditional classroom presentation where the basic knowledge is presented in lecture form and reinforced with problems, labs and everyday applications. In the labs the students gain hands on experience through the application and analysis of data, the use of technology and the evaluation of the data related to a fundamental concept. The sequence of courses for an incoming freshman is Introductory Physics, Biology, Chemistry and then an elective or advanced course. For an incoming sophomore, who has had Biology, the sequence would be Introductory Physics, Chemistry, and then an elective or advance course.

Advanced Chemistry

Advanced Biology is designed for students who are dedicated, passionate biology students interested in a college level biology course. Using an Inquiry based curriculum, students will review the molecular and cellular basis of life as well as the principles that guide heredity, evolution, ecology, and anatomy and physiology. Students will study the relationships of organisms and populations as a means of reinforcing the structure, functioning, and diversity of organisms, and the interdependent web of life. Laboratory work helps students to reinforce and refine skills through observation, data collection and interpretation, prediction, the formulation of hypotheses and by designing their own labs.

This college level chemistry course is designed for students who have a strong background and interest in chemistry. The topics learned in chemistry are now covered in much greater detail emphasizing the mathematical basis for theories and principles.  In addition, a comprehensive and flexible laboratory component allows students to hone their skills in proper technique, report writing and problem solving. Many labs are designed by the students to solve specific problems.

The Advanced Physics: Mechanics course is an in-depth study into classical mechanics which includes Kinematics, Dynamics, Newton’s Laws, Work and Energy, Conservational Laws, Center of Mass, Momentum, Rotation, Torque, Statics, Moment of Inertia, Angular Momentum, Gravitation, Kepler’s Laws, Oscillation, and Wave Mechanics.  Students are required to have successfully completed a course on integral and differential calculus or they may take calculus concurrently.  This course utilizes the Student-Centered Active Learning Environment protocol in which many activities and lab exercises are completed by small groups of students. This encourages teamwork, peer involvement, and real-world active problem-solving skills.

This fall semester class will focus on developing an understanding of the components, circuits, and electronics of Robots. They will also be given written and oral assessments to test their understanding of the underlying theories. Topics covered will include; basic circuitry, LEDs, microprocessors, basic programming, digital encoding, pre-programmed navigation, and stimulus response navigation. A central focus of this course will be preparing a robot for competition.  Teams are challenged to design, build, program, and operate a competition robot to achieve a common goal. Students will travel to workshops, scrimmages, and competitions as part of this course.

Anatomy & Physiology is a yearlong course that provides students an opportunity to explore the intricate and sophisticated relationship between structure and function in the human body. Topics covered will include the basic organization of the body; biochemical composition; and major body systems along with the impact of diseases on certain systems. Students will engage in many topics and competencies related to truly understanding the structure and function of the human body. Working from the topics of basic anatomical terminology to the biochemical composition of the human body, all the way into great detail of each of the major systems of the body, students will learn through reading materials, study guides, unit worksheets, group work, projects, and student prepared presentations.

Biology is a lab-based course that focuses on the characteristics of living things and the dynamics of life on earth. Students study the physiology, heredity, classification, and evolution of living things. They learn how science applies the scientific method as a “way of knowing” about the biological world around them. The laboratories offer students the opportunity to develop skills in observation, data collection and interpretation, predicting, and formulating hypotheses. Students are encouraged to relate classroom topics to their everyday experience in the natural world.

Biology Honors uses an inquiry/research-based model to give the students the skills to navigate current biological understanding of the world. Students study cellular biology, heredity, classification, evolution, and animal physiology as avenues for biological study. Students learn how to apply the scientific method as a “way of knowing” about the biological world around them through laboratories, which offer students the opportunity to develop skills in observation, data collection and interpretation, and critical connection of topics to the world around us. As an honors level course, greater depth and breadth of material is explored and a higher level of conceptual thinking is developed throughout the course.

Chemistry is a laboratory-based course exploring the practical and theoretical aspects of the chemical world. Major topics of study include atomic structure, periodic table, bonding, nomenclature, formula writing, chemical reactions and basic stoichiometry. Laboratories and projects allow students hands-on, real-world experience with the concepts of chemistry. Instead of just imagining how something works, students get to explore concepts through doing. Throughout the year within the class and laboratory, students develop skills in scientific writing, critical thinking, analysis, laboratory techniques and experimentation.

Chemistry Honors is a course for accomplished math and science students who are seeking to immerse themselves in a fast-paced intensive science course. The basic concepts of matter and energy and how they change and flow through chemical reactions will be explored.   More advanced problem-solving techniques will be developed in order to better understand chemical and physical theories from a mathematical point of view.  An integrated laboratory component will allow students to gain first-hand information about the nature of chemical reactions both qualitatively and quantitatively as they develop hands-on skills.

Physics focuses on lab-based scientific inquiry into our physical world. The major concepts of motion, gravity, waves, optics, and electricity and magnetism are explored through the use of inquiry labs designed to challenge the student to develop a model of the physical world. The student then learns to apply this model to solve a variety of problems. These labs provide the student the opportunity to use technology in collecting data and writing lab reports. Whenever possible the modern physics extensions of these concepts will be provided in order to give the student a more contemporary look at the state of physics today.

Exercise Science and Physiology – athletic performance and functional exercise all begin at the cellular level and this course is designed to explore this aspect.  Topics to be covered will include muscle cell structure and function, cellular energetic, nutrition and hydration.  We will investigate how proper exercise and training can make adaptations on the cellular level that will improve overall athletic performance.

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This spring semester class will focus on advanced problem solving with vehicular robotics. Students will have to combine and apply concepts and skills developed during the first semester to complete complex tasks and make robots demonstrate specified behaviors. Students will learn about remote interfacing with the robot and will apply concepts from the land based vehicles to aerial vehicles that they will build and modify.

This introduction to the sciences occurs through the lens of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math; Kiski STEAM is centered on unit projects in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Science. In this problem-based course, students will be introduced to Newton’s Laws of Motion, atomic structure, the periodic table, types of reactions, ecosystems, food chains, and the interdependent web of life. Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math are integrated naturally throughout the course; each unit will provide a template for students to learn and develop their skills in; oral presentation, engineering design, prototyping, graphing calculator and Vernier probe technology, 3-D printing and software. Making sketches, models, and capturing photographs and videos are used as tools to personify the analytical skills they are learning. Each unit ends with a cumulative project presentation in which students will progress from presenting their work in front of students and their teachers, to presentations which involve a formal panel of judges.

Charlotte Bleiler

David Buran

Brendan Moriarty

Dr. John Williams

A LIFE-CHANGING BOARDING SCHOOL.

(877) 547-5448
1888 BRETT LANE, SALTSBURG, PA 15681