Home
High School
Physical Science Project
Open
Imagine exploring the laws of motion, energy, and matter while working alongside professionals who use science in their everyday careers! Picture yourself conducting experiments, solving real-world problems, and discovering how physical science shapes the world around us—all with expert guidance and support. If you’re excited about applying scientific thinking to real-world situations, our VLACS Projects are the perfect fit for you!
This engaging learning pathway allows students to explore various career fields while mastering key concepts and skills. For each competency, you can choose to complete a pre-designed project that simulates real-life career tasks or create your own unique learning experience. Regardless of your choice, you’ll engage in thorough research and apply what you learn to authentic career scenarios.
With the pre-designed projects, you’ll tackle real-world tasks that align with each competency. If you decide to design your own experience, you’ll collaborate with your instructor and a mentor to design and complete meaningful career tasks that demonstrate your understanding. We have partnered with hundreds of mentors you can work with if you choose to design your own experience. Check out our Career Mentor Catalog here.
Take a look at the competency statements and pre-designed options below. We’re excited to support you on this exciting and open-ended learning adventure!
Note: This is a project-based course. If you’re looking for a traditional format, please return to the learning catalog and select the course.
Projects
Science Editor
You are an agricultural scientist researching the physical and chemical properties of matter to improve farming practices and agricultural sustainability. Your role involves applying knowledge of matter to develop innovative solutions, as demonstrated in classifying matter.
You will create a research report that will explain the states of matter, describe properties of matter, explain atomic theory, and summarize the periodic table of elements.
Soil Scientist
You are a soil scientist analyzing the chemical properties of soil to enhance agricultural productivity and environmental health. Your role involves understanding chemical interactions within the soil, as demonstrated in chemical properties.
You will create a soil analysis report that will relate electrons and bonding, explain chemical formulas, and describe properties of acids and bases.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
You are an occupational health and safety specialist ensuring workplace safety by identifying and mitigating chemical hazards. Your role involves understanding chemical reactions to assess risks and develop safety protocols, as needed when working with reactions.
You will create a workplace safety guide that will describe chemical reaction classification, explain energy and reaction rates, and describe radioactivity.
Competencies
Motion
Students will demonstrate an understanding of motion by explaining scientific inquiry, describing the Laws of Motion, and comparing fundamental forces.
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, explaining atomic theory, and summarizing the periodic table of elements.
Chemical Properties
Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical properties by describing electrons and bonding, explaining chemical formulas, and describing properties of acids and bases.
Reactions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of chemical reactions by describing chemical reaction classification, explaining energy and reaction rates, and describing radioactivity.
