High School

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

1.0 Credit
36 weeks
student examining a molecular chemistry set.
Open

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.

 

 

Major Topics and Concepts

Module 1

  • Motion Pretest
  • The Study of Science
  • Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration
  • Honors: Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration
  • The Laws of Motion
  • Honors: The Laws of Motion
  • Forces in Action
  • Energy
  • Work and Power
  • Motion Discussion-Based Assessment
  • Motion Exam

Module 2

  • Waves Pretest
  • Waves
  • Sound
  • Honors: Sound
  • The Electromagnetic Spectrum — The Visible
  • The Electromagnetic Spectrum — The Non–Visible
  • Science and You
  • Waves Discussion-Based Assessment
  • Waves Exam

Module 3

  • Electricity Pretest
  • Electrical Charges
  • Electric Current
  • Circuits
  • Electromagnetism
  • Energy Resources
  • Human Impacts on the Environment
  • Electricity Discussion-Based Assessment
  • Electricity Exam
  • Segment One Exam

Module 4

  • Classifying Matter Pretest
  • States of Matter
  • Classifying Matter
  • Properties of Matter
  • Atomic Theory
  • Honors: Atomic Theory
  • Properties of Atoms
  • The Periodic Table of Elements
  • Classifying Matter Discussion-Based Assessment
  • Classifying Matter Exam

Module 5

  • Chemical Properties Pretest
  • Electrons and Bonding
  • Ionic and Covalent Bonds
  • Chemical Formulas
  • Hydrogen Hydroxide
  • Acids and Bases
  • Lab Time: Acid and Base Indicators
  • Chemical Properties Discussion-Based Assessment
  • Chemical Properties Exam

Module 6

  • Reactions Pretest
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Classifying Chemical Reactions
  • Chemical Reactions and Energy
  • Honors: Chemical Reactions and Energy
  • Reaction Rates and Temperature Laboratory
  • Radioactivity
  • Nuclear Reactions
  • Honors: Regulating Nuclear Power
  • Impact of Biotechnology
  • Reactions Discussion-Based Assessment
  • Reactions Exam

*Collaborative project: Students are required to submit one collaborative project in segment 2. There will be three different options throughout the segment to choose from.

 

Competencies

Motion

Students will demonstrate an understanding of motion by describing elements of motion, explaining forces and friction, describing momentum, and differentiating forms of energy.

Waves

Students will demonstrate an understanding of waves by summarizing the properties of waves, describing characteristics of mechanical waves, and explaining components of electromagnetic waves.

Electricity

Students will demonstrate an understanding of electricity by describing electrical charges, describing electrical current and circuits, explaining electromagnetism, and comparing energy resources.

Classifying Matter

Students will demonstrate an understanding of classifying matter by explaining the states of matter, describing properties of matter, and describing the properties of atoms.

Chemical Properties

Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical properties by relating electrons and bonding, explaining chemical formulas, and describing properties of acids and bases.

Chemical Reactions

Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical reactions by describing chemical reaction classification, explaining energy and reaction rates, and describing radioactivity.

Open

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.

Projects

Wildland Firefighter

You will take on the role of a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service, tasked with creating a skydiving presentation for your boss and other firefighters, including information about the parachute’s capabilities for speed, velocity, motion, forces, momentum, and energy requirements.

Required Materials

32-36 weeks

Reporter

You will take on the role of a reporter for a weather channel, tasked with creating a storyboard for a special TV program, explaining how data from electromagnetic waves are used to make weather predictions.

Electromechanical Engineer

You will take on the role of an electromechanical engineer that designs electric toys for a toy company. You will plan how the features of the toy will work and give a demonstration to your company’s marketing team.

Science Editor

You will take on the role of a science editor for the chemical standard company, tasked with creating a presentation to enrich the understanding for new members on the advisory board.

Soil Scientist

You will take on the role of a soil scientist for a community garden program, tasked with creating a soil adjustment pamphlet.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

You will take on the role of an occupational health and safety specialist at a hazardous waste company, tasked with creating a chemical storage plan for the medical research technicians at your company.

Competencies

Motion

Students will demonstrate an understanding of motion by describing elements of motion, explaining forces and friction, describing momentum, and differentiating forms of energy.

Waves

Students will demonstrate an understanding of waves by summarizing the properties of waves, describing characteristics of mechanical waves, and explaining components of electromagnetic waves.

Electricity

Students will demonstrate an understanding of electricity by describing electrical charges, describing electrical current and circuits, explaining electromagnetism, and comparing energy resources.

Classifying Matter

Students will demonstrate an understanding of classifying matter by explaining the states of matter, describing properties of matter, and describing the properties of atoms.

Chemical Properties

Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical properties by relating electrons and bonding, explaining chemical formulas, and describing properties of acids and bases.

Chemical Reactions

Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical reactions by describing chemical reaction classification, explaining energy and reaction rates, and describing radioactivity.

Open

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.

 

 

Competencies

Motion

Students will demonstrate an understanding of motion by describing elements of motion, explaining forces and friction, describing momentum, and differentiating forms of energy.

Waves

Students will demonstrate an understanding of waves by summarizing the properties of waves, describing characteristics of mechanical waves, and explaining components of electromagnetic waves.

Electricity

Students will demonstrate an understanding of electricity by describing electrical charges, describing electrical current and circuits, explaining electromagnetism, and comparing energy resources.

Classifying Matter

Students will demonstrate an understanding of classifying matter by explaining the states of matter, describing properties of matter, and describing the properties of atoms.

Chemical Properties

Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical properties by relating electrons and bonding, explaining chemical formulas, and describing properties of acids and bases.

Chemical Reactions

Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical reactions by describing chemical reaction classification, explaining energy and reaction rates, and describing radioactivity.