Physical Science (lab)/Physical Science Honors (lab)

This two-segment course is designed as an interactive introduction to basic physics and chemistry. Topics include forces and motion, energy through waves, electricity, magnetism, the matter around us, chemical bonding, and reactions. This course is designed to serve as a foundation for the study of the physical sciences. Students use scientific inquiry and higher-order problem-solving as they explore these topics through interactive simulations and both virtual and hands-on experiences. In addition, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts are integrated throughout the course. Collaborative projects and real-world aid the student in ultimately demonstrating an understanding of the importance of the physical and chemical properties of the world around them.

Projects allow students to demonstrate competence and understanding of concepts and skills by completing a career-related task. For example, the assignment might be to create a mural, a package design, a speech, a film review, or a movie set – you name it! These creative projects are about applying your learning acquired through in-depth research to real-world career tasks.

Each competency will be addressed through a project that is based on a real-life career task. Here are the careers you will explore: Wildland Firefighter, Reporter, Electromechanical Engineer, Science Editor, Soil Scientist, and Occupational Health and Safety Specialist.

Experiences allow you to explore a career field you’re curious about while mastering competencies for school credit. Through experiential learning, you will learn skills and apply them to tasks you would complete as part of a career rather than completing traditional assessments like essays or tests. During your Experience, you’ll work with a professional in the field to support your learning whom we call a “mentor.” You’ll earn a badge for your accomplishments to share on social media and higher education platforms, or with colleges, potential employers, peers, and colleagues to display your qualifications.

Here’s how Experiences work:

• Each competency you work on is addressed through a separate deliverable predetermined by you and your instructor.
• Guided learning for each module consists of research and/or work with a professional in the field. Your instructor will coach you through this process.
• Each module culminates in a final demonstration of understanding, which includes a deliverable and a discussion-based assessment with your instructor.
• Here’s an example:
  Let’s say you’re curious about a career in healthcare. You decide you’d like to learn about this career area, make a professional connection, earn a badge, and meet competencies for your 9th-grade English requirement. While enrolled in English 1 Experiences, you conduct research to better understand language and structure in writing. Then you may work with an Occupational Therapist to help apply your writing skills to the creation of an informational video about adaptive equipment for patients. The video aims to advise family members of patients regarding the use of accommodations and equipment to help patients perform daily tasks. Now you’ve earned the Language and Structure in Writing competency! This is just one example of the many ways Experiences can bridge competencies to careers.

Obtaining a Mentor: Prior to enrollment, please have an idea for a mentor in mind. We have partnered with hundreds of mentors you can work with during your Experience, who you can find in our Career Mentor Catalog here. Or, you may consult with our counseling department by emailing [email protected] for help in identifying one.

*A parent/guardian permission form and background check of the mentor are both required to work with mentors without parental supervision.