About the Science Department
Science at TSA is like no where else. With our focus on arts integration students not only learn the key skill of logical reasoning, but also blend specific scientific knowledge with their artistic backgrounds to create projects that are out of this world!
Course Descriptions
Science by Grade
SCIENCE INQUIRY AND APPLICATION: Scientific Investigations, Lab Tools & Safety, Organizing, Analyzing & Communicating Data
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE: Minerals, Rocks, Soils
LIFE SCIENCE: Cell Theory & Structure, Cell Processes, Reproduction in Cells & Organisms, Organization in Organisms
PHYSICAL SCIENCE: Classification & Properties of Matter, States of Matter: Energy & Properties, Energy, Object Motion
Integrated Science I – Integrating life, earth, and physical science. Topics include use of the scientific method and metric system; human and plant cell structure and function; Periodic Table, energy transformation and transfer, atmospheric and oceanic currents, Earth’s interior, the Sun-Moon-Earth system, and biomes and habitats.
This course continues Integrated Science I – Integrating life, earth, and physical science. Topics include geology, plate tectonics, Earth’s surface processes, reproduction, genetics and evolution, potential energy, and forces. Real world applications will be explored throughout the course.
General Courses
Physics and Chemistry are exciting subjects that help us understand the natural world. The concepts learned in the class will be applied to the visual and performing arts. Students will gain hands-on, real-world experience through laboratory experimentation. Topics: Nature of Science , Atomic Structure and Elements, Waves & sound , Nuclear Energy, Measurement , States of Matter , Solutions , Acids & Bases, Motion & Forces , Classification of Matter , Electricity , Light, Energy , Chemical Bonds , Magnetism , Earth Science, Machines ,Chemical Reactions , Astronomy
NOTE: Students must have a scientific calculator.
Pre-requisites: 8th grade science; Honors requires recommendation of teacher or placement test.
Biology presents students with the opportunity to combine new knowledge with previously learned skills and life experiences to form a deeper understanding of the living world around them. Students will engage living things at both the microscopic and macroscopic level, from the biologically important molecules that allow life to exist, to the structure/balance of an entire ecosystem. This biology course will be very hands on, with projects and activities that incorporate the arts into the subject matter. Furthermore, biology will assist students in developing their own scientific literacy , independent work ethic, as well as refine their critical thinking skills. It is the instructor’s sincere hope that throughout their study of biology students will appreciate not only the beauty of art in nature, but the essential artist in every scientist.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Physical Science
Lab Fee: $15.00
Earth & Environmental science will explore the major earth systems as well as the formation and future of earth in the universe. (Topics covered: Geology, Rocks, Minerals, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, River Systems, Glaciers, etc.) Other topics include; Weather & Climate, Paleontology, The environmental movement, Green Technology, Earth’s Resources, Astronomy, and more! Students will discover the interrelated nature of these systems and how each component impacts/controls the environment around us.
Prerequisite: Physical Science and Biology
Honors Courses
Biology presents students with the opportunity to combine new knowledge with previously learned skills and life experiences to form a deeper understanding of the living world around them. Students will engage living things at both the microscopic and macroscopic level, from the biologically important molecules that allow life to exist, to the structure/balance of an entire ecosystem. This biology course will be very hands on, with projects and activities that incorporate the arts into the subject matter. Furthermore, biology will assist students in developing their own scientific literacy , independent work ethic, as well as refine their critical thinking skills. It is the instructor’s sincere hope that throughout their study of biology students will appreciate not only the beauty of art in nature, but the essential artist in every scientist.
Honors students will be conducting active research, have additional readings, and participating in additional projects related to each unit in Biology.
Prerequisite: Physical Science, Honors Placement/permission of instructor
Lab Fee $15.00
Chemistry addresses both the structure and interactions of matter both conceptually and mathematically. Students will gain hands-on experience through laboratory exploration.
Prerequisite: Biology with grade of C or higher (B recommended); Algebra II with grade of C or higher (B recommended), or concurrent enrollment with at least a C in previous math class.
Anatomy & Physiology addresses both the form and function of the human body. Students will gain hands-on experience through laboratory exploration. Dissection is a required part of this course and is NOT optional.
Prerequisite: Biology; Honors Placement/permission of instructor
In addition to the Earth & Environmental Science curriculum, Honors students will conduct an earth science based citizen science project, participate in an honors field trip, and read two geology based books to improve scientific literacy. (Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, and The Universe Within: Discovering the Common History of Rocks, Planets, and People by Neil Shubin.) Students will have additional readings and projects throughout the year, each relating specifically to the material being covered at the time.
Prerequisite: Physical Science and Biology; Honors Placement/permission of instructor
Physics elaborates on the study of the key concepts of motion, forces and energy as they relate to increasingly complex systems and applications that will provide a foundation for further study in science and scientific literacy. Students engage in investigations to understand and explain motion, forces and energy in a variety of inquiry and design scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills and real-world applications. This is a project –based class where working in a group to produce a deliverable makes up the majority of your grade.
NOTE: Students must have a scientific calculator.
Pre-Requisites: C+ or better in Algebra II, C+ or better in Chemistry, or Instructor permission