Winslow High School Science
Maine Learning Results. Maine’s current science and engineering standards were signed into law on April 19, 2019. Maine adopted the Next Generation Science Standards. The Science Department at Winslow High School has been adjusting the science curriculum to reflect these new standards. Part of that work has included a shift from the traditional sequencing of lessons to teaching through storylines.
STORYLINES
"A storyline is a coherent sequence of lessons, in which each step is driven by students' questions that arise from their interactions with phenomena. A student's goal should always be to explain a phenomenon or solve a problem. At each step, students make progress on the classroom's questions through science and engineering practices, to figure out a piece of a science idea. Each piece they figure out adds to the developing explanation, model, or designed solution. Each step may also generate questions that lead to the next step in the storyline. Together, what students figure out helps explain the unit's phenomena or solve the problems they have identified. A storyline provides a coherent path toward building disciplinary core idea and crosscutting concepts, piece by piece, anchored in students' own questions."
WHAT MAKES A STORYLINE DIFFERENT FROM JUST A SEQUENCE OF LESSONS?
"Often the importance of a particular problem or idea is clear to the teacher, but not to the students. For example, the teacher knows how learning about the cell will help with important biological questions; but for students, they are learning about cells because that's the title of the current chapter in the textbook. The teacher may know how a particular chemistry experiment will teach students something about conservation of matter; but to the students, they are doing the experiment because they are following the directions. In a storyline, students should be involved in co-constructing the question we are working on, and should see the activity as helping make progress on that question. In a storyline, the coherence is from the students' perspective, not just the teacher's."
Quote from https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/what-are-storylines at https://www.nextgenstorylines.org/
While storylines have not replaced all traditional curriculum, they are being added and worked into classes over the course of time and students are benefiting!
Ecology
CP Ecology
This course will include lectures, laboratory exercises, research and practical applications while covering the topics of cellular energy, plants, cycles of matter, populations, environmental issues and land use. Students will be using measuring skills and scientific methods throughout these topics.
Genetics
CP Cellular Genetics
This course will include lectures, laboratory exercises, research and practical applications while covering the topics of cell reproduction, DNA, genetics and biotechnology. Students will be using measuring skills and scientific methods throughout these topics.
Science
Functional Integrated Science 1
This course is designed to meet the needs of the individuals enrolled. The class will cover the following topics using hands on practical activities and applications: the role of science in society, human influences on Earth’s systems, and the biodiversity of organisms and cycles of matter.
CP Selection of Biodiversity
This course will include lectures, laboratory exercises, research and practical applications while covering the topics of natural selection, population gene frequency, origin of life, cells, biodiversity of life and animal systems. Students will be using measuring skills and scientific methods throughout these topics.
Honors Biology
This course presents the nature and meaning of discoveries and principles of biology. This course is rigorous and involves lectures, discussions, laboratory exercises and investigations, library research and practical applications. Subject areas include cellular and molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, biodiversity, continuity of life and interconnectedness of life on this planet.
Human Biology
This course will cover all of the organ systems of the human body as well as tissues and cells. Emphasis would also be placed on diseases associated with organ systems. It is designed for students considering careers in the medical field such as nursing or medical technology.
AP Biology
Advanced Placement Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. The two main goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process. The three main areas covered are molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and populations. It is a fast-paced course and students should expect to spend a significant amount of time outside of class working on assignments.
Honors Bio-Organic Chemistry
We need to know about organic and biochemical molecules because they are so closely tied with social, economic, political and ethical issues that we have to deal within our world. Day after day we see new questions, issues, problems and controversies based on things that happen in organic and biochemistry. This course will help you understand and deal with these issues. Also if you are planning a career in any of the health-related fields, you will have to take organic and biochemistry in college. This course will give you an introduction to both of these subjects. Topics covered include the various classes of organic compounds, the macromolecules of life and how they are metabolized, energy alternatives and the energy crisis.
Physics
CP Fundamentals of Physics and Engineering
This course will cover forces, energy, electricity, magnetism and waves. Modeling, research and engineering design will be incorporated into the various topics covered in this course.
Honors Fundamentals of Physics and Engineering
This course will extensively cover forces, energy, electricity, magnetism and waves. Students will perform quantitative analysis and sophisticated application of concepts on a regular basis. Modeling, research and engineering design will be incorporated into the various topics covered in this course.
CP Physics
This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of physics. Students gain an understanding of mechanics, heat, and thermodynamics. Emphasis is placed on laboratory work, problem solving and applications to everyday life situations. A large emphasis is also placed on study habits, improving mathematical ability through real world applications and basic mechanical theory. Subjects such as light, electricity and waves will also be included.
Honors Physics
This course is designed for students planning on selecting a challenging major in college including science, engineering, pre-med and computer science. A large emphasis is also placed on study habits and developing good habits for college work. Topics covered are: kinematics, work, power, energy, momentum, optics, electrical theory, and the place of science in society.
Earth and Space
CP Earth and Space Science
This course will cover basic topics in astronomy like stars, planets and the Big Bang Theory while also covering geological topics such as geologic time, plate tectonics and earth systems. Modeling, research and supporting scientific claims through writing will be incorporated throughout the curriculum.
Chemistry
CP Fundamentals of Chemistry and Engineering
This course will cover structure and properties of matter as well as chemical reactions and changes in energy. Modeling, research and engineering design will be incorporated into the various topics covered in this course.
Honors Fundamentals of Chemistry and Engineering
This course will extensively cover structure and properties of matter as well as chemical reactions and changes in energy. Students will perform quantitative analysis and sophisticated application of concepts on a regular basis. Modeling, research and engineering design will be incorporated into the various topics covered in this course.
CP Chemistry
The course deals with the structure and composition of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. The laboratory work is quantitative in nature and therefore, requires a background with mathematical skills. Students are required to record all laboratory work. The course includes lectures, group work, problem solving, and laboratory exercises.
Honors Chemistry
The organization and goals of this rigorous chemistry course place emphasis on both theoretical and practical aspects. The course deals with the structure and composition of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. The laboratory work is quantitative in nature and, therefore, requires complex mathematical skills. Students are required to record all laboratory work. Students will be expected to view extensive instructional materials outside of class time in preparation for the next upcoming class. This type of approach to instruction and learning is sometimes called a flipped classroom.