S.T.E.M.
S.T.E.M. is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering and math. S.T.E.M. is an elective course that is offered to 11th and 12th graders who want to explore and strengthen their critical thinking and problem solving skills. Within this course students are provided with a hands-on approach to the scientific method through conducting research and experimentation. Students are also introduced to experimental design where they create solutions to real world problems. In S.T.E.M. students are encouraged to think critically and creatively while having fun.
Health Education
Health education is an essential academic subject that teaches young people to take care of their minds, their bodies, and the people around them. Health education builds a foundation for academic success by teaching all students how to make healthy and informed decisions. Students in this course will receive comprehensive health education that builds decision-making, goal setting, relationship management, communication, and other important skills across lesson topics that focus on: violence and injury prevention; emotional and mental health; physical activity and nutrition; alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention; and HIV prevention.
Living Environment
Living Environment 2 is an extension of the NYS Living Environment Curriculum that is taken by students entering the 10th grade. Students study genetics, evolution and ecology. Genetics is the study of heredity. Within the genetics unit students explore DNA, protein synthesis, mutations and variation, as well as genetic engineering. The required NYS Relationships and Biodiversity Lab is completed during this unit. Evolution is the study of how organisms have changed throughout time. Key ideas that are studied during this unit include the geological timescale, history of life, evidence of evolution, natural selection, speciation, and classification of organisms. The required NYS Beaks of Finches lab is conducted during the evolution unit. Ecology is the study of how living things interact within the environment. During this unit students investigate concepts such as population dynamics, symbiosis, succession, food webs and biodiversity, Students will also study how humans impact the environment and create solutions to these problems. This course culminates in a Regent in June.
cHEMISTRY
Chemistry is the study of matter and energy explained and categorized using observable characteristics. All changes in matter are accompanied by changes in energy. Energy exists in many forms, and when these forms change, energy is conserved. Energy is used to do work that makes life productive and enjoyable. With a complete understanding of these processes and their application to the modern world comes a responsibility to take care of the waste, limit pollution, and decrease potential risks
